Fabric-covered furnishings add texture, color and depth to your home décor, but they can become saturated with dust and other types of filth over time. Unfortunately, such furnishings cannot simply be laundered in the washing machine. Special steps must be taken to thoroughly clean them from time to time without damaging the fabric or the material. What does it take to the clean upholstery in your home?
Use an Upholstery Cleaning Machine
Many carpet steam cleaners have a hand-held attachment that can be used to clean upholstery. You can simply follow the usage instructions for the machine that you already own to produce pristine results. Unfortunately, however, these machines are expensive to buy.
If you do not already own a carpet steam cleaning machine that has a hand-held attachment, rest assured that there are other cleaning methods that you could use as alternatives.
Vacuum the Furniture
Many people regularly vacuum their sofas, chairs and other types of furniture to remove pet hair, dander, dust and other types of fine debris. If you have not done so recently, this important task should be your first step. If your vacuum does not have a handheld attachment, such as a soft brush that is designed for upholstery, you may use a lint roller as an alternative.
A lint roller will remove top-level filth, and a vacuum cleaner will suction dirt up from deeper layers. With this in mind, a lint roller should only be used if absolutely necessary.
Target the Stains
Does your upholstered furniture have stains that require special attention? After you have removed the bulk of the dirt through vacuuming, you can target the stains. There are various store-bought upholstery cleaning products available, but you should be careful when selecting a product. Always test a discreet area of the upholstery before using the product on a large and visible area.
If you want to bypass store-bought products, you could target tough stains using white vinegar. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar together. Again, test the solution in a discreet area of the fabric as a first step. You can apply the vinegar and water solution to the upholstery using fine mist from a spray bottle or by dabbing it on the upholstery using a clean cloth.
Tackle Tough Spots
In some cases, gently rubbing the fabric will be sufficient to remove a stain. However, in many cases, more elbow grease may be required. While you may need to scrub the affected area thoroughly, you do not want to use an excessive amount of the cleaning product or solution. Excess moisture could be absorbed by the inner materials in the furniture. These areas can take a long time to dry out, and this could lead to damaging mold growth and other issues. To protect the integrity of your furnishings, you should scrub the stains with the least amount of moisture possible.
Clean the Upholstery
After you remove the visible stains on the sofa, chairs and other upholstered furnishings in your home using vinegar and water, you are ready to clean these furnishings from top to bottom. Mix a spoonful of your favorite liquid laundry detergent with roughly a gallon of clean water. Slightly dampen a clean cloth or soft brush with the soapy water, and gently scrub every inch of the upholstery.
Remember to wring out the excess moisture from the cloth regularly. If you accidentally apply too much moisture in an area, simply use a dry towel to dab it up before it becomes problematic. You must also carefully remove the soapy water from the upholstery. Using a moist, clean towel, go over the upholstery a second time. Even when you avoid using excess moisture, the furniture may still be damp at this point. Allow the fabric to air dry before sitting on the furniture.
Protect the Upholstery from Future Stains
Cleaning upholstery is a major project, and you understandably do not want to repeat this process more frequently than necessary. You may be able to extend the length of time between these cleaning sessions by applying a fabric protectant. Most of these products are sprays that can be applied without hassle. Before the application, however, ensure that the product is well-suited for the type of upholstery that your furniture is made with.
Cleaning the upholstery is only one of many special cleaning projects that may require your attention soon. At TidyHere, we want to simplify all aspects of your home cleaning chores, and we happily provide a range of other useful tips for you to take advantage of. Simply check out the rest of the site today to learn how to clean your house like a pro. Do you want to enjoy the benefits of a pristine home without the hassle? Our maids at TidyHere are happy to help. Connect with a member of our team today to inquire about our services and great rates.
