Cleaning Tips For Your Upholstered Furniture In 2022

Gunjan thakurAugust 7, 2022

Can anything be more relaxing than lying on your comfortable couch and watching your favorite movie? No right? We are so used to the upholstered furniture that we can not even dream of any house that does not have a piece of upholstered furniture. Upholstery like couches, chairs, mattresses, and recliners has become an integral part of your home. 

But in the comfort and warmth of upholstery, we often forget about its maintenance and care. Upholstery cleaning might not seem that necessary, but you start regretting it when your upholstery begins to look grimy after ignoring cleaning for a while. The upholstery material has a high dirt holding capacity that demands regular cleaning. 

Experts always recommend getting your upholstery cleaned by an experienced and professional upholstery cleaning company near you once or twice a year. But there are several DIY tips using which you can maintain your upholstery in its best condition. 

DIY Cleaning Tips For Upholstery 

#1 Know Your Upholstery Type 

Upholstery nowadays is available in a wide range of fabrics like cotton, wool, linen, leather, polyester, silk, microfiber, etc. And different upholstery fabric requires a different cleaning approach. 

So it is better to know your upholstery type to select the correct cleaning method. You can know this by checking the instruction tag on your upholstery. Generally, these tags include the following instructions. 

S: It shows to use of water-free dry cleaning products for cleaning

W: It shows you can clean upholstery with water-based products. 

SW: It shows you can clean with both dry and water-based products. 

X: Shows strictly avoid any DIY cleaning. 

#2 Start With Vacuum 

After knowing your upholstery type, as a very first step, begin with vacuuming your upholstery. Thoroughly vacuum all the parts of your furniture. It will remove the loose soil, dirt, and allergens from the upholstery fabric and help for better cleaning. 

Do not forget to vacuum beneath the cushions and lower part of your furniture. Clear all the soil particles and other contaminants before we move towards the next step. 

Pro Tip: While using any store-bought or homemade cleaner, first apply it to the small area of the backside of your furniture and check if it is safe or not. If you observe discoloration or any other sign of damage, don’t use it further. 

#3 Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective cleaning agent that can be helpful in removing musty odors and mild stains from your upholstery made of fabrics like cotton, polyester, etc. To remove the smells, sprinkle the baking soda on your furniture and leave it overnight. Then vacuum the excess baking soda in next morning. 

To remove the stains, form a paste of baking soda and warm water and apply it to the affected areas. Wait a couple of minutes and gently scrub the paste to work on stains. Then wipe the excess paste with a clean cloth or paper towel and blot the excess moisture. 

#4 Use Rubbing Alchohol  

Rubbing alcohol is another effective cleaning agent that helps clean your couch made from microfibers. Form a mixture by mixing ½ cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and shake it well. Before you start cleaning, check for discoloration or any damage as mentioned above. 

Spray the mixture on your upholstery and wait 2-3 minutes to let it work. Then gently scrub the mixture using a soft-bristled brush. Continue scrubbing the entire couch area one by one. And then, wipe the couch with a clean cloth or paper towel and blot as much moisture as possible. 

#5 Use Upholstery Cleaner 

If you don’t wish to use homemade cleaners, several upholstery cleaners available on the market can get your work done. They are best suitable for leather furniture. Choose the appropriate cleaner for your upholstery type. Check the cleaner manual about how to use it. 

Apply the adequate amount of cleaner on a clean cloth and gently spread it all over the upholstery. Gently scrub that cloth in circular motions for the cleaner to work on dirt and grime. At last, wipe the foam from your furniture and let it dry. 

#6 Professional Cleaning 

With regular cleaning, you can indeed keep your upholstery clean. But you also require professional deep cleaning once or twice a year to eliminate the dirt and grime particles trapped deep inside your upholstery fibers. 

Professionals have experience and the right tools that can get the cleaning work done effectively. Moreover, they use suitable cleaning supplies that are safe for your upholstery fabric. And regular professional cleaning can improve the lifespan of your furniture. 

Also Read: How To Maintain Furniture After Professional Upholstery Cleaning

Final Thoughts 

Upholstered furniture not only provides us with comfort and warmth but also gives 

a better appearance to our home interior. But it requires proper cleaning and maintenance to remain in its best condition. Avoiding cleaning for a long time will make it look grimy and lead to wear and tear, lowering its life. 

You can clean your upholstery with the enlisted DIY cleaning tips, but for better cleaning results and longevity of your furniture, you should also invest in professional cleaning.