How To Clean Upholstery

Among the many reasons why we fall in love with our furniture a key one is the way it looks.  But, with any furniture, you have to give it proper care to keep it looking as good as when you bought it. 

‍

Caring for your upholstery should be included in your regular household cleaning routine.  When you are vacuuming the floors, take the time to vacuum the upholstery as well.  This can be done on a weekly basis.  Vacuuming the furniture removes surface soil and so stops the dirt from becoming embedded in the fibers.  You can also use a soft brush to whisk dirt away instead. 

‍

Periodically turning over the loose cushions should also extend your furniture’s life.  Turning cushions allows an even distribution of wear and tear and helps avoid indentations from developing.  Also, fluffing the cushions helps to keep them in shape.  You can also change the cushions around from one part to the other.  Some seats get used more than others, so swapping the cushions around distributes an even amount of use. 

‍

Try to keep your furniture out of direct sunlight.  Too much sunlight can cause your furniture to fade or fry.  Silks are even more delicate.  Plus, airborne pollutants such as smoke or fumes from cooking can harm your fabric.  It’s not always easy to avoid fumes from cooking but good ventilation should help. 

‍

Sometimes prevention is the best way to keep something clean.  If you want to avoid stains and dirt on your furniture, set up rules to avoid this from happening.  Do not allow anyone to eat on the couch, loveseats, or chairs.  For dining room chairs with fabric seat cushions, choose designs with removable and machine-washable covers. 

‍

Do not allow shoes on the couch.  To make sure that no one forgets this rule, make sure couch dwellers take their shoes off before they even sit on it.  Also, do not allow dogs on the furniture or even in the same room as the upholstery you are trying to protect.

‍

Do not underestimate the power of a fabric protector.  Sometimes removing a stain is as easy as blotting it up when your furniture is already protected.  But, if you do not have a fabric protector on your furniture, act quickly when it comes to stains. 

‍

Blot up as much of the liquid as you can with a clean towel.  Never rub the fabric because this can cause even more damage.  Use a spot cleaner specifically meant for upholstery.  Make sure that you read all of the manufacturer's instructions first and test the product in an inconspicuous area first to make sure that it does not damage your fabric.  Use a soft brush to gently work the cleaner into the fibers in a circular motion.  Then, vacuum when it’s dry. 

Every couple of years or so, you may want to hire a professional to visit and clean your upholstery. Once a piece of furniture has become overwhelmed with dirt, it is harder to restore it to look as good as it did when you first bought it.

‍