Are you looking to keep your upholstered furniture looking spotless? Here are a few tips on how to clean dirty upholstery furniture.
First, vacuum regularly using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. It will help remove dust, dirt, and other debris accumulated over time.
Secondly, be sure to spot-clean any spills immediately. Use a mild soap and water solution and blot the area with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing the fabric, as this can damage the fibres.
Finally, have your upholstery professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. It will help to remove any built-up dirt and grime and will also help to extend the life of your furniture. Following these simple tips, you can keep your upholstered furniture looking new for years to come.
Sounds easy, right? Sorry to burst your bubble, but it still needs some elbow grease and a lot of patience. So we asked for some help from Premium Clean professionals for advice on how to clean dirty upholstery.
How to Clean Dirty Upholstery Furniture
Your couch is one of your home’s most used and abused pieces of furniture. It sometimes serves as a bed, dining table, pet haven, and playground. Unfortunately, that activity leaves plenty of stains and unseen grime like dust mites, bacteria, and fungi.
Now, take a hard look at your couch. It’s time to give it a good upholstery cleaning!
Know the Code First
Before you clean dirty upholstery, you must look at the tag first. All upholstery manufactured from 1969 has cleaning tags. It can help determine the best and safest way to clean them.
Here is what each code means:
Code W: You can clean the fabric with water-based cleaning solvents.
Code S: You can use water-free solvent to remove the soils and stains or dry-cleaning.
Code W-S: You can clean dirty upholstery fabrics with water- or solvent-based products.
Code X: You need to avoid using any cleaning agent. Instead, have the upholstery cleaned with a vacuum or by a professional.
Suppose you did not find any cleaning code tag. In that case, you can do some testing in an inconspicuous area to see how the upholstery would react with your cleaning agent.
How Often Should You Clean Your Upholstery
While you should vacuum your upholstered couch weekly, perform stain removal and general upholstery cleaning quarterly or on an as-needed basis.
Easy Steps on How to Clean Dirty Upholstery Furniture
Now it’s time to clean your upholstery. Follow these tips for more effective and efficient cleaning.
Vacuum the upholstered furniture often.
Our first DIY upholstery cleaning tip is to vacuum your upholstered furniture often. Dirt can affect the appearance of your furniture, and it can also wear away upholstery fibres. Vacuum this using your dry upholstery attachment or any stiff-bristle brush. It will loosen the dried dirt and debris.
Use baby wipes to clean your upholstery.
Baby wipes are effective for quick DIY upholstery cleaning. However, test it first in the hidden area that won’t damage the fabric. It is excellent for cleaning leather, polyester, and cotton upholstery because it contains a gentle mixture of water and soap and very little moisture.
Always have a stash in your living room for instant spot removal whenever spills happen. It will also help you in spot-cleaning rugs. Use them for coffee drips and other spills and stains before it has to set.
Protect the upholstered furniture from stain.
You can apply it yourself if your furniture has no fabric protector to repel stains. For upholstered furniture, ask the manufacturer how long the treatment will last. Many treatments on the market need reapplication every few years to keep their stain-fighting powers. By keeping it treated, you are maximizing the lifespan of your furniture.
Clean the upholstered furniture gently.
Scrubbing can damage your upholstered furniture. So, it would be best to be careful even when dealing with tough set-in stains. Scrubbing can damage the fibres and fabric. The best approach is to let the stain remover sink in and then blot it away. Use a microfiber cloth instead of a bristle brush or coarse fabric for blotting. Use a soft brush to loosen the material if the fibres are stiff.
Use minimal water when cleaning.
There is no truth in the notion that the more moisture you use in upholstery cleaning, the better. Instead, use specially formulated solvent (water-free) spot remover first. Many of these cleaners are affordable and work effectively on stains.
Remove pet hair from upholstered furniture.
Their fur can be a nightmare if you have pets who like to cosy up in your upholstered furniture. A quick way to remove it is by putting on a pair of rubber gloves and running them over the table.
The gloves create a static that pulls the hair from the fibres so you can easily vacuum it off. Alternatively, you can create a DIY static spray by mixing water with a small amount of fabric softener. Spray this on the furniture and wipe off the fur with a cloth. You can also purchase furniture brushes and hand vacuums to remove pet hairs instantly.
You can check out this article 3 Easy Ways on How to Clean a Couch Like a Pro for more steps.Â
DIY Spot Removers for Your Upholstery Stains
As a general rule, the sooner you treat a stain, the better you can remove them. Therefore, if you can catch the stain immediately, remove it by simply blotting with a microfiber cloth.
If you can use water in the upholstery, plenty of DIY upholstery cleaning solutions are available. However, do not vacuum in an attempt to remove the stain. It will only spread them. Instead, here are some tricks to clean your upholstered furniture.
General upholstery stain remover: Begin the process with a club soda. Dab it gently with a clean white cloth. As an alternative, you can use a little vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then blot it with clear water. You can also use mild dish soap and water.
Grease or oil stains: Sprinkle the stain with salt, let it sit, and then dab it with soap and water. You can also use rubbing alcohol.
Coffee stains: Blot the stain with equal parts of vinegar and water with a few drops of dish detergent.
Crayon stains: Use non-gel toothpaste and then rinse it with clear water.
Red wine stains: Sprinkle the stain with salt. Use hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice with water to blot the stain,
Want to know few steps on How to deep clean your Bedroom Here’s a simple video for you.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, a few helpful tips on how to clean dirty upholstery furniture. Whether you want to extend the life of your investment piece or give that couch from grandma a boost, regular cleaning can remove the dirt before it becomes a stubborn stain. If all else fails, you can call one of the professionals from Premium Clean for upholstery cleaning. They can treat stains and make your couch look brand new in no time.
Last Updated on March 15, 2024
