Upholstery Cleaning - Best Way to Remove Dirt From Upholstery

Like fabrics in clothing, upholstery is attacked by oils from skin, hair, dust, food scraps, and spills every day. If the wear and tear on your chairs and sofas starts to get worse, save yourself hundreds of dollars and don't hire professionals - not yet, anyway. It only costs pennies to remove dirt, stains, and even discoloration on your own.

But before you dive into the guidelines on how to clean upholstery, first check what you're dealing with by checking the label on the bottom of the piece or under the mat to understand what type of cleaner is recommended. The label should have the code:

• W = water-based
• S = solvent-based
• WS = water or solvent
• X = professional cleaning required

Then use the cleaning techniques and techniques here (be sure to test first on an inconspicuous area).

If you take general upholstery cleaning as part of your daily home maintenance, your furniture will look more durable.

How to remove dirt from upholstery

Use upholstery accessories to vacuum the parts. Start at the top, go all the way down, and dash from left to right. It is important to work in the same direction, especially for fabrics that have fluff, such as corduroy, chenille, or suede. Switch to the crease attachment to better clean the seams and folds, and around the buttons and tufts. Or, use a can of compressed air (for example when cleaning a computer keyboard) to blow away dirt and dust in the corners and crevices.

For fabrics coded W or WS...

• Mix a few drops of liquid detergent in a bucket of warm water.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the entire part, and gently and evenly moisten it with a soap solution. Be careful not to wet any areas, as too much moisture can cause some fabrics to discolor.
• Continue to wipe the entire part with a clean damp cloth.
• Let the parts dry completely before placing them. Don't try to speed up the speed with a hair dryer, because the heat may cause the fabric to shrink or wrinkle, but you can turn on the fan at will to increase air circulation in the room. Clean one side of the mats and let them dry completely overnight, then clean the other side.

For fabrics with S code...

Use only solvent-based cleaners, such as dry cleaning solvents; water-based cleaners can damage these fabrics. Dry-cleaning solvents can be purchased online (enter "upholstery safe dry-cleaning solvents" in the search engine), or you can find it in home dry-cleaning kits.

Make sure your work area is well ventilated. Apply dry cleaning solvent to a clean towel, and then gently scrub the normally soiled upholstery area. A clean, soft brush can be used to apply the solvent to the heavily soiled area. Let the piece dry completely before sitting on it again.

How do you clean upholstery stains

The faster you handle spills (wine, sauces, and greasy foods), the less likely stains will be, so please take them as soon as possible - don't wipe them! -Use a clean white cloth immediately.

To deal with any debris or to deal with spills that have formed stains, try using a suitable stain remover or dry cleaning solvent for your type of upholstery. If your fabric is waterproof, dampen and wring out a clean cloth or sponge and then soak it in a mixture of water and a small amount of liquid detergent. Then gently blot the stain. Then use a clean cloth or sponge dipped in clean water and wring it dry. Repeat as needed, and then blot the stains with a clean cloth or white paper towel.

If it still doesn't come out after two or three applications, it's time to call a professional.

How to deal with discoloration

"Browning" can occur when natural fabrics are too wet or dry too slowly. To counteract this, use a quick-drying upholstery shampoo based on a neutral ph.

• First vacuum furniture thoroughly.
• Mix the cleaning product in a bucket of water according to the manufacturer's instructions. (Hint: Use a hand-held whisk or electric mixer to make foam.) When there is little water left at the bottom of the bucket, the shampoo can be used.
• Fold a clean white absorbent towel and immerse it in the foam to squeeze out all the moisture.
• Wipe the entire fabric with overlapping strokes, whether it is vertical or horizontal, just make sure you keep it in one direction.
• Apply more foam to the towel as needed.
• Let the foam sit for at least 5 minutes, but not more than 10 minutes.
• Use a clean towel soaked in clean water and squeeze to remove suds.
• Rinse and wring out towels as needed. Dries work quickly by opening windows and moving air around the room with a fan. Do not use a hair dryer or anything that will heat the area. In general, the fabric should dry at the same speed.

General Upholstery Cleaning Tips

• When using any of these techniques, be sure to test inconspicuous areas (for example, under the cushion, or the back of a skirt) to ensure that the color does not bleed or fade.
• Be sure to avoid getting water or detergent on the wooden or metal parts of the furniture, as this can rust, corrode, or cause discoloration.
• These technologies apply to natural or synthetic woven fabrics. Learn about cleaning leather here.
• If the fabric has an X code, please call a professional to clean your upholstery. These services are usually provided in your home, and a professional cleaner should be able to provide you with a rough estimate based on the size of the furniture you have and the type of fabric.