Spring is all about new beginnings and a fresh start in life. Showing love to your upholstery is one of the best investments this season. These pieces, whether they’re your sofa or upholstered headboards, need to be cleaned regularly in order to keep them looking great all year.
We understand how daunting cleaning upholstery can be. How do you clean a sofa? What’s the best way for an ottoman to be cleaned? How about an upholstered bed?
We’ll answer all your questions and offer our top upholstery cleaning tips in order to motivate you to start spring cleaning.
Upholstery Fabrics 101
Before you vacuum or scrub, make sure to know what upholstery fabrics you are cleaning. Different fabrics require different cleaning techniques. For example, leather can be wiped down while suede can be brushed and wool, linen, and velvet can be gently blotted.
Your upholstered headboard or sofa may have come with a fabric guide or best-practice cleaning tag. Take a look at the fabric and create a plan. To find the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning tips, you can look up the exact piece as well as the upholstery weave and material.
Take Your Time To Tackle Stains
If you have a sofa with tough stains, it is important to follow fabric guidelines. Most fabric stains can generally be cleaned with water and mild detergent.
Use a steamer if your vacuum has one! It’s your friend when it comes to upholstery cleaning. Begin by vacuuming your upholstery. Next, the spot treats each stain one at a time. Remember: Blot, don’t scrub! Overuse of friction can cause damage to the fabric and result in upholstery that is not as good. Allow the area to dry and then vacuum once more.
A steam cleaner is the best upholstery cleaning tool for white sofas. Slipcovers are also an option that you can take off and wash in the washer. This will keep your white sofa looking new for many years.
Vacuuming Should Be A Daily Habit
Upholstered furniture acts as magnets for dirt, dust, and other airborne spores. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
This is especially true for headboards and upholstered beds. Even though it might not be obvious, hair and dust can quickly accumulate on these pieces, even if they aren’t easily visible. You don’t want dust on your bed, so vacuum them regularly. Although it may sound cumbersome, there are many benefits to having an upholstered headboard.
You should vacuum your furniture at least once a week. Make it a habit to clean your upholstery regularly. To clean your furniture quickly and easily, you can use the narrower parts of your vacuum to reach the places where dirt and dust tend to accumulate. Once a season, (three months) you can deep clean your upholstery, remove stains and steam clean your pieces.
Do Deodorize
Upholstery cleaning includes keeping your furniture looking, feeling, and smelling fresh. You are not the only one who has ever noticed a strange odor in your upholstery. Pet owners are especially vulnerable to this problem. Over time, odors like stains will develop from everyday clothes to pets rubbing up on the fabric.
Baking soda can be used to remove odors from upholstery. Sprinkle the baking soda on your upholstery, and allow it to sit for a while. It will absorb all oils and odors during this time. After that, you can simply vacuum it up.
A Few Good Rules Of Thumb
Avoid using harsh chemicals. Strong cleaning chemicals such as Lysol should not be sprayed directly on furniture, especially in bedrooms. Although this may sound appealing, you don’t want chemicals in your air and under your pillows. Instead, use an organic, chemical-free upholstery cleaner. Or, you can make your own with 1/2 cup water, club soda, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp natural soap, and 1 drop of thieves essential oil.
Keep moisture at bay: Don’t sit or lean on upholstered furniture with a wet towel or head. Water can cause bacterial growth, and can also cause stains and discoloration to upholstered furniture.
Look for synthetic fabrics when buying upholstered furniture: Synthetic fabrics are naturally stained- and mildew-resistant. This will make upholstery cleaning easier, especially if your preference is for lighter fabrics.
When to call the professionals: Professional cleaning services are recommended if you don’t know how to deal with more serious stains. Although you can treat small stains at home, it is possible to ruin your piece if they are not dealt with properly.
If you require a professional cleaning service, contact us today to book an appointment and bring freshness back to your home and office.