Upholstered furniture like couches, sofas and recliners are some of the most loved parts of our home where we can spend a lot of time feeling comfortable. Because we use our furniture so much, eventually you will need to find the best way to clean upholstery.
For most homeowners the only upholstery cleaning they can manage is the occasional vacuuming. It is certainly a good idea to vacuum upholstery, but beyond that many people feel lost for what to do next about cleaning upholstery.
To help you learn the best way to clean upholstery including various types of upholstery, we have put together this handy guide with some tips from experts. Do always be sure to use care when attempting to clean your own upholstery, it can be easy to damage it and then you may end up just needing all new furniture. Know how to avoid these upholstery cleaning mistakes.
Identifying The Type Of Upholstery
The upholstery on your furniture could be made of various types of materials and each one has a certain way it should be cleaned. The best way to know what kind of upholstery you have is to check for a manufacturer’s care label sewn onto the underside of the furniture or stapled onto a beam of the couch.
The label will tell you what the upholstery is made of and will have some cleaning instructions for you to follow. Never assume that you know what type of material your furniture is made of, always check the label to know for sure.
The care label will contain a special code that tells you what type of cleaner to use on the upholstery. A “W” means that it can be cleaned with water based upholstery cleaners. An “S” means that you should only use solvent based upholstery cleaners. “W/S” indicates that you can use water based or solvent upholstery cleaners.
Cleaning Synthetic Fiber Upholstery
Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon or acrylic can be cleaned easily with a water based upholstery cleaner. If the cushion covers are removable you can even throw them in the washing machine and then hang them to dry.
When first using a cleaning product it is best practice to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous location first to see how it reacts with the upholstery. If it has any bad effects like discoloration or fraying do not use it anymore and find another way to clean your upholstery.
Leather Upholstery Cleaning
The best way to clean upholstery made from leather is to just wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dust and debris. You can also buy leather conditioning products to keep it feeling soft and keep its color from fading.
If you ever have a stain on leather upholstery, you should really consider calling upholstery cleaning services who specialize in leather to see what you should do. You can easily damage the leather by trying to clean it yourself, so it is best to call the professionals.
Cleaning Suede Upholstery
Suede is a very difficult upholstery to clean on your own, but it is also so beautiful and comfortable. Suede does not do well with water, so avoid using water or any water based cleaner on it.
To clean any unfortunate spills you can use some vinegar and blot at the spill. For a grease spill, apply a fair amount of baking soda which will absorb the grease. Then vacuum up all of the baking soda and the grease stain will be gone.
Cleaning Leatherette Upholstery
Leatherette is a very easy material to clean. Just use some soap and water on it.
Use a rag dampened with soap and water and wipe all over the upholstery. Make sure that you then wipe it with a dry, soft rag and you should be good.
Velvet Upholstery Cleaning
One of the most luxurious upholstery materials is velvet, but it is also the most difficult to clean because it is quite delicate. You are really better off calling professional upholstery cleaning services to clean velvet furniture.
Velvet is very easily damaged by the wrong type of cleaning, so it is best just to be extra careful with it so it does not need to be cleaned.
Cotton Upholstery Cleaning
Cotton being a natural fiber, you need to be careful not to get it too wet so that it can dry completely after cleaning. You can use soap and water to clean cotton.
Don’t rub too hard on cotton upholstery, the best technique is to blot at any spots or stains. Rubbing at a stain can actually force it further into the fibers, making it almost impossible to clean.
Wool Upholstery Cleaning
The best way to clean upholstery made from wool is to give it a regular vacuuming, at least once per week is best. Wool, made from sheep’s hair, is very resistant to stains.
If you spill something onto wool upholstery, blot it up as quickly as possible. If you can, you want to avoid washing wool, as it starts to lose the lanolin oil that protects the fibers from bacteria and stains.
Microfiber Upholstery Cleaning
Microfiber is a wonderful material for upholstery because it is very difficult for dirt and other staining agents to make their way into it.
To clean microfiber you can wait for any spill to dry, the brush it with a fabric brush, then vacuum up any material that comes out.
Hiring Professional Upholstery Cleaning Services
The best way to make sure that your furniture is taken care of the right way is to hire professionals who have the training, experience and tools to clean upholstery the right way.
Upholstered furniture is a big investment, and you should make it last as long as possible. Having professional upholstery cleaners taking care of your furniture will help it last a lot longer.
There is only so much you can do on your own, but the professionals have all of the most advanced equipment to clean your upholstery the best way possible.
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