Easy Life Home Office Cleaning

If you have upholstered furniture, there's no getting around the fact that, sooner or later, it's going to need to be cleaned.

Regular cleaning is essential if you want to keep your furniture in good condition, but that can be costly if you have it done professionally each and every time. If you're wondering how to clean upholstery so you can do it yourself at home, keep reading. Below, we'll take a closer look at cleaning various types of upholstery, and we'll explore a few pros and cons of which you should be aware.

The Bare Basics

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining upholstered furniture, there are a few basics tips to remember. They include:

• Brush the furniture to remove crumbs and other debris
• Use a Pet Hair Remover Roller to get rid of animal hair
• Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on the item and leave for 20-30 minutes before vacuuming
• Vacuuming regularly to prevent dust from settling deeply into the fabric as well as the stuffing
• Using spot treatment to clean spills before they become stains that are difficult to remove

These tips are suitable for all types of upholstery, but they're only the beginning.

Cleaning Natural Upholstery

Let's start by looking at fabric made of completely natural fibres. The textiles used most commonly for natural upholstery include cotton and wool. Other natural fabrics are linen, silk, and velvet.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to cleaning natural upholstery is that natural fabrics tend to retain water. To avoid lingering moisture, try to steam clean them when possible.

If purchasing or hiring a steam cleaner isn't possible, you can take a wet cleaning approach by using a water-based product – the trick is to apply it in moderation. Before using the product, apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area on the fabric to be cleaned. Check that it does not stain or cause discolouration or other damage.

Pros of steam cleaning:

• Environmentally friendly
• No chemicals
• Easy to do with the right equipment

Cons of steam cleaning:

• Generates significant amount of heat
• Purchasing/hiring a steam cleaner can be expensive
• Residual moisture in the fabric can lead to mould or mildew

Cleaning Synthetic Upholstery

Acrylic, nylon, polyester, and olefin are some of the synthetic fabrics used for upholstery. Most synthetic fabric can handle water well, which means that water-based cleaning products are a better option than they would be for furniture upholstered with natural fibres.

If you want an easier DIY alternative to using a commercially available water-based cleaning product, such as upholstery shampoo. Check the care label/instructions that explain how to clean upholstery – you may be able to launder it in your washing machine. Another option is to dilute a little laundry detergent in a bucket of water and then apply it to the fabric using a clean damp cloth. Use another clean damp cloth to blot away the detergent.

Pros of water-based upholstery shampooing:

• Effective cleaning
• Anti-bacterial action
• Less shrinkage
• Faster drying

Cons of water-based upholstery shampooing:

• Some shampoos contain harsh chemicals that can cause browning of fabric and furniture

Cleaning Combined Upholstery

Combined upholstery, which is a blend of natural and synthetic fibres, can be tricky to clean by yourself at home. Unless the care label provides clean instructions for doing it yourself, there is a chance that any cleaning other than spot treatment of spills could result in damage such as colour bleeding, discolouration, or shrinkage.

Hiring professional upholstery cleaners arguably is the best way to ensure your combined fabric furniture is cleaned properly. However, if that is not practical or there are only one or two stubborn stains you want to remove, try this mixture:

Combine 1 cup of warm water with ½ cup vinegar and ½ tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle or our Smart Bottle Brush and spray onto the stains before blotting them away with a clean cloth.

Pros of professional cleaners:

• Expert knowledge
• Professional equipment
• Fabric dries faster due to equipment and techniques used

Cons of professional cleaners:

• Can be expensive
• May be difficult to find a suitable time

Cleaning Microfibre Upholstery

One of the benefits of microfibre upholstery is that dust and other dirt seldom penetrates deep into the fabric or stuffing. In most cases, you won't need to do more than what's in the basic care tips above. If there are any stubborn stains you want to remove, the best option is to check which commercially available products are recommended.

If you want to try a home-made water-based solution, mix 2-3 drops of mild liquid dish soap with warm water in a clean spray bottle. Add a pinch or two of bicarb and a capful of white vinegar. Close the bottle, shake, spray on the stain, and blot with a clean cloth. Alternatively, make a solvent-based solution by half-filling the bottle with warm water and topping it up with rubbing alcohol, gin, vodka, or ammonia.

Cleaning Leather Upholstery

In most cases, leather upholstery won't need more cleaning than the occasional brush and wipe. Use a commercially available leather conditioner to keep the material smooth and elastic. If you want to remove stains, consider getting professionals to do it.

So Many Options Available

When it comes to how to clean upholstery, there's no one-size-fits-all option. Use this article to guide your choices.

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Source: https://www.easylife.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-upholstery-at-home/

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