Homeowners often take great pride in the appearance of their homes, and for good reason! We want to make sure that our guests feel welcome and comfortable when they visit us. The living room is one of the areas of the house that will catch everyone’s attention as they enter—and it can also be an important place for entertaining friends and family.
With a piece of fresh-looking upholstered furniture, you’ll surely impress your guests. However, even if you take good care of your upholstered furniture, accidents can still happen. A spill here, a stain there—you’re bound to have some wear and tear after years of use. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying your favorite pieces!
Having your upholstered furniture cleaned regularly can keep them looking great and extend its lifespan. You can do the cleaning by yourself. You just have to follow some do’s and don’ts to make avoid further damage. However, if you want to make sure everything to turn out alright, you can always find a reliable cleaning company to do it for you would be ideal.
The cost of upholstery cleaning can be quite expensive for some. So, If you’re one of the homeowners who prefer to perform general cleaning and maintenance on your own, here are some tips for you to scrub away stains and dirt on your upholstered furniture.
Do’s: Upholstered Cleaning
Vacuum often
When it comes to cleaning velvet upholstered furniture, our number one cleaning tip from upholstery cleaning services is to vacuum it regularly. If you have pets or kids around, make sure to vacuum once or twice a week. Vacuuming your furniture regularly will keep getting crumbs, dirt, or debris from settling down into the fibers.
Take action quickly
One of the best house cleaning tips that you could do is to take action quickly. The best way to clean your upholstery is to take prompt action to stain to avoid it from seeping deeper or padding underneath the fabric. When stains are left untreated, they can be harder to remove and become permanent. Blotting it with a clean towel is the first thing you could do as soon as you notice a stain.
Read the instructions
Before executing any steam cleaning upholstered furniture or dry cleaning upholstered furniture, you should make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on your upholstery. The instructions can include the type of cleaning solutions or chemicals that can be used to clean stains on the specific fabric.
Different types of fabric require unique stain removers, methods, drying times, and cautions for use. Usually, S stands for solvent cleaners, W stands for water-based cleaners, X stands for neither water nor solvent-based cleaners, and WS stands for both water and solvent-based cleaners, It is critical to follow these instructions to lessen any damage. Just like when you’re doing marble countertop cleaning, you have to make sure that you read instructions well.
Always perform a spot test
Unfortunately, some upholstery doesn’t come with the manufacturer’s instructions. What you can do is perform a spot test. To do so, take a small amount of the cleaning solution and apply it to the inconspicuous area of the fabric. If you notice any discoloration or damage, it is advisable to look for alternative solutions.
Performing a spot test can help you avoid further damage to the upholstery and can help you determine the right cleaner for your furniture.
Don’ts: Upholstered Cleaning
Don’t Use Heat
One of the important tips when cleaning upholstered furniture is to not use heat or boiling cleaning solutions. Hot water can promote the chemical alteration of a stain, making it easier to bond with the fabric. Typically, stains that are made from food, blood, or any proteins are susceptible to heat.
Likewise, vinegar and other acids should also be avoided as they can act as a heating agent. If there’s a need to use hot water, ensure that it is cool or warm.
Don’t use Bleach
Using bleach or bleach product to clean the surface of your furniture is a strict No-No when performing upholstered furniture cleaning. Bleach can worsen the stain and make the affected area larger. It can also affect the color of your furniture which can deteriorate the fibers. Using bleach when deep cleaning upholstered furniture can end in buying a new piece or reupholstering the entire piece of furniture. If you’re afraid of bleach, you can also talk with disinfection services to disinfect your upholstery.
Don’t rub or scrub
Although you may be tempted to scrub or rub the stains on your upholstery, you should never do it. Vigorous scrubbing or rubbing can further result in the wearing away of the material as it pushes the stain further into the upholstery fibers. This is especially true when cleaning cotton upholstered furniture. Instead of scrubbing, scrape the stain with a spoon and then blot it with a clean towel. Now, if you’re scared of damaging your upholstery, you can always go for the expert ones. Make sure that you are aware of the professional upholstery cleaning cost first.
Here are some cleaning tips for removing stains on different upholstery fabrics:
- Fabric upholstery- Combine 1 tablespoon of dish soap, ¼ cup vinegar, and ¾ cup water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the soiled area and bluff it with a soft cloth to lift the stain. Allow it to sit for a few seconds and use another cloth with clean water to remove the soap. Let it dry with a towel.
- Synthetic upholstery- Combine ½ tablespoon of liquid dish soap, ½ cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Mist the grime and scrub with a soft cloth until the stain is completely removed.
- Leather upholstery- Mix ¼ cup vinegar with ½ cup olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the surface and blot it with a soft cloth.
Don’t start in the Center
Your instinct might tell you to blot the stain in the very center. However, this is not the best move because the stain is mostly concentrated in the center. Attacking the stain right there can only make it worse. So, the best way to remove a stain is to wipe or blot it from the outer edges of your stain and work toward the center.
The Ultimate Don’t and Do
The essential tip for upholstery cleaning is this: DON’T start an upholstery cleaning project when you’re unsure if you can handle it, instead DO hire professionals to ensure that your furniture is properly cleaned and handled.
Need help with your upholstery cleaning?
When choosing to hire a furniture cleaning service, pick one that cares for the welfare of your belonging. If you still haven’t hired one, you can turn to us. We are the best upholstery cleaning company you can trust with your valued furniture.
We understand the process of giving proper care to your valued upholstery the way we care for our customers. We have a team of professionals that are highly trained to tackle even the most stubborn stains.
If you are looking for a company that can provide maintenance cleaning for upholstered furniture and removes stains, then we are the right fit for you. We take pride in providing the best customer service and quality workmanship at an affordable price.
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