What is the best way to care for upholstery? We’ve put together a list of things you can do the prevent stains, increase the longevity of your upholstered furniture, and the things you should avoid.
Preventative Measures
Remove Dust/Hair/Dirt/Crumbs: Vacuuming, microfiber dusting, and lint rolling your upholstery is a top priority. Eventually, your fabrics will wear away when left with unattended dirt. Other organic matter can cause smells if not properly taken care of.
Leather Touch-Ups: Leather wipes are a great way of removing body oils that can build up. Removing that residue is important if you want to prevent cracking and dark spots.
Pretreating: Some furniture can come pretreated with a fabric protector. This coating can help keep tough stains from occurring. These treatments will need to be reapplied every few years and can be done yourself or by an expert.
Fluff and Rotate: If your cushions can be removed in a way that you can fluff and rotate them, this will keep them from wearing out too quickly.
How to Clean Upholstery
Pay Attention to Cleaning Codes: This should always be the first step when you care for upholstery. On your upholstered furniture, there should be one of these abbreviations on the tag:
- SW: Safe to use solvents or water
- S: Water-free solvents (an example is alcohol)
- W: Save to use water and water-based cleaners
- X: Vacuum only
Make or Buy a Trusted Cleaner: While many stores and manufacturers will have different lists of store-bought cleaners they recommend, these DIY cleaners have a good reputation.
- Fabric Cleaner – 1/4 Cup vinegar, 3/4 Cup distilled water, 1 Tbs. dish soap/Castile soap. Mix into a spray bottle and mist the stain. Gently blot or scrub (if necessary) with a soft cloth until the spot lifts. Moisten a cloth with distilled water to remove any soap residue. Dry with a towel and keep the air moving.
- Leather Cleaner – 1/2 Cup olive oil, 1/4 Cup vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle and spray the surface. Buff with a soft cloth.
- Synthetic Fabric Cleaner – 1/2 Cup vinegar, 1 Cup warm distilled water, 1/2 Tbs. dish soap/Castile soap. Mix into a spray bottle, mist the area, and blot/gently scrub the area until the stain disappears.
Treat Stains Immediately: Any kind of stain should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid permanent discoloration or damage.
General Spot Clean: After blotting up any liquid from your stain, you should apply a small about of cleaner to the spot. Next, gently activate it with your fingers or soft cloth to avoid oversaturating the fabric. Then, you’ll take a dry cloth and blot the stain by starting from the outer edge and working in. Repeat until the stain no longer transfers onto your blotting cloth.
Drying Moisture: If you need to dry your furniture to avoid moisture rings, use the lowest heat setting on a hairdryer, turn on a fan, or keep a dehumidifier running.
What to Avoid in Upholstery Care
Machine Washing/Dry Cleaning: Many people think that all removable cases on upholstered furniture are safe to wash like other laundry. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Unless marked otherwise, the fabric and stitching are at risk when cleaned with these methods. Please seek a professional cleaning company if you have a stubborn stain.
Tap Water: While your tap water may be safe to drink, the minerals in it could discolor the upholstery. Please stick to distilled water if that is the needed cleaning solution.
Scrubbing: You should always be gentle when cleaning fabrics and leathers. Blot up liquids and rub the spot as little as you can.
Prolonged Sunlight & Moisture: Fabrics and leather are not exempt from fading and moisture damage. Keep your furniture out of direct sunlight as much as possible and keep a dehumidifier in your room if needed.