CLEAN YOUR
UPHOLSTERY
One of my friends recently asked how to clean her sofa.
Since we all have sofas that tend to get dirty, here are some ideas and tips on how to do-it-yourself cheap.
Before you begin thinking about how to clean upholstery, look on the furniture for the fabric cleaning code label. If
you find it, this will have the instructions for how to clean the specific fabric and that will give the best results.
- “W” stands for water-solvent,
which means that water will not harm the fabric.
- “S” stands
for solvent-clean-only products. Search for a solvent-based upholstery cleaner in the grocery store or
check with a furniture store.
- “SW” will note that either
water or solvent will clean the upholstery.
- An “X” on the label means
that you cannot use water or solvents; these have to be brush cleaned or professionally cleaned.
If
you do not find a label and want to check if water will damage the fabric, rub a wet cotton ball on the backside or unnoticeable
place of the fabric. If the cotton ball turns same color as the fabric, it is not colorfast fabric. It
will require professional cleaning to prevent bleeding.
If your furniture is water-solvent, you can
do it yourself using the instructions and tips that follow.
DO NOT steam clean or use a carpet shampooer.
Getting the fabric that wet, even if it is colorfast, will cause shrinkage and ruin the piece of furniture.
Keep upholstery as dry as possible while shampooing to prevent damage. Although it may seem that more water will
allow you to remove more stains, the moisture is in fact your fabric's worst enemy. For quick drying, open windows or
turn on an electric fan, a dehumidifier, or an air conditioner in the same room.
Try baby wipes. I read some suggestions that they do great cleaning without too much moisture.
For a non-water fabric, try Dryel dry cleaning cloths.
Avoid
using vinegar or anything acidic, as these will definitely damage the fiber.
Keep metal portions of the furniture (including pillow zippers) as dry as possible, as they will rust. If
zippers get damp, dry them with a hand held hairdryer on high speed and low heat.
There are many upholstery cleaners at the grocery store. As long as it produces suds, it should work.
Less detergent is better. Read the labels carefully.
You can make your own unpholstery cleaner by combining ¼-cup liquid dish detergent or laundry soap and 1-cup warm
water. Using a mixer, whip until dry suds form. The suds will look like whipped cream.
Before cleaning, loosen dirt all over furniture with a handheld dusting brush then vacuum all surfaces to remove
as much loose dry dirt as possible.
Test upholstery in an unnoticeable area by using the
cleaning instructions.
Allow to dry. If the area looks the same but
cleaner, you may proceed to clean the entire piece in that manner. If it does not look right, stop and
call a professional cleaner.
Cleaning Instructions:
- Apply dry suds with a cloth or soft brush and gently scrub in a circular motion or with the fabric grain.
Micro fiber cloths are best because they will not leave lint and they will absorb more of the dirt.
- Shampoo only a small area at a time.
- Dirt
will begin to appear in suds as they work.
- Use a spatula or rubber scraper to
lift off dirty suds and discard into a separate container.
- Repeat if
necessary.
- Rinse by wiping the area with a clean cloth (again, I suggest micro fiber)
dipped in clear water and wrung nearly dry.
- Change suds, rinsing water and cleaning
cloths as needed.
- Dry completely.
Well, that does not sound too hard. I am almost tempted
to go clean my sofa. Happy Cleaning!
Patricia Kenworthy ©August
2007
