Upholstered furniture, like sofas and couches, create a warm and inviting environment in your home. They play a significant role in home décor and help to breathe character into the room.
They are also the furniture that undergoes heavy wear and tear as you use them daily. They accumulate dirt, dust, stains, and odours that can only be removed with regular maintenance. Proper care will not only extend the life of upholstery furniture but also help in enhancing overall appearance.
The following comprehensive guide will help your upholstery to look at its best.
- Different types of fabrics
Before you take up on the cleaning task, understanding the upholstery fabric is essential. Depending on the type of fabric, the cleaning process changes. Some of the materials include cotton, linen, artificial fabric and leather.
While cotton is easy to maintain and clean, it catches stains easily. Linen looks elegant but develops wrinkles and stains even with normal use. While synthetic fabrics can be easily maintained and provide resistance to stains, the leather fabric needs intense care, however, looks luxurious and provides durability.
According to the fabric, you have to start cleaning upholstery as the wrong solutions can react adversely with the material.
- Label care instructions
Always look at the label care instructions to understand specific cleaning instructions. There are 4 types of labels that are generally marked on the upholstery furniture – W, S, WS and X.
- W means you have to use only a water-based cleaner
- S means solvent-based cleaner
- WS means use both water and solvent-based cleaners
- X means only professional cleaning
- Cleaning tools and supplies
Once you understand the type of fabric and care instructions, collect all the relevant cleaning tools and supplies like vacuum cleaners, wipes, dust clothes, and cleaning agents. Unless for a professional cleaning upholstery, you can find the right products easily in the market.
- Cleaning process
Start the cleaning process by vacuuming to remove dust, dirt and debris. You can use an upholstery attachment to clean hard areas like crevices and seams where dirt accumulates a lot.
To clean stains, you have to react immediately and remove them as soon as possible. Dab the area using a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid and then use a relevant cleaner depending on the fabric type. For water-based fabrics, you can use water mixed with a mild detergent. And use an appropriate solvent cleaner for S-type fabrics. For leather, use a damp cloth and apply a leather conditioner afterwards.
- Cleaning tips for specific fabrics
As part of the deep cleaning process, consider methods like steam cleaning, dry cleaning and foam cleaners. They will clean the dirt from the deeper layers and remove disease-causing germs making your upholstery hygienic and neat. Consider the dry-cleaning process if your fabric is marked S or X. When you have to spot clean on an upholstery fabric, use foam cleaners for water-based fabrics.
- Dealing with spills
When there is a spill, clean it immediately so that the stain doesn’t seep into deeper layers. For cotton fabric, blot with a cloth and then use a mild detergent to wash off the stain. And for synthetic fabric, use a relevant stain cleaner so that you don’t damage the surface underneath. For leather fabric, use a mild detergent to clean the surface and then use a leather conditioner to restore the shine.
If there is a spill that’s left for a long time, it’s better to contact professionals as they know the proper techniques to remove a stain immediately.
- Calling the professionals
While regular maintenance can keep your upholstery looking good, you should also give professional care occasionally. It’s especially essential if you are dealing with stubborn stains, persistent odours and significant wear and tear. You are sure to have the former glory back and your rooms look beautiful while emitting a fresh smell.
Final thoughts
You should not underestimate upholstery cleaning as the fabric furniture plays an important role in beautifying your home. You also use them daily so proper cleaning is essential to make them look good and smell fresh. Consider hiring experts at least once a year to increase the longevity of your upholstery.
