Upholstered furniture adds a touch of elegance and comfort to any room but, to keep it looking its best, it does require a bit of upkeep. While regular professional cleanings will ensure you get the most out of your upholstery, everyday stains and soiling can be handled at home. Here’s how:
Prep
First, create a good workspace for yourself by moving the piece of furniture away from any walls or other objects. Next, thoroughly vacuum in between your piece’s cushions and in any cracks or crevices where dust and dirt may have settled. Your vacuum likely has an attachment made just for this type of cleaning. Finally, check for any broken, loose, or defective parts. If you find something that you don’t feel comfortable repairing, don’t hesitate to consult an expert for assistance.
Choose Product
Your choice of cleaning product will largely depend on what type of fabric you’re working with. For instance, Aquamist technicians use 100% organic Green Guard Protector on W and W/S coded materials. To determine which product your upholstery can tolerate, find your furniture’s recommended cleaning instructions, located on the manufacturing tag. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer or retailer. Also, be extra careful with silk, satin, wool, rayon, and linen upholstery; their care is best left exclusively to a professional.
Test & Clean
Before general application, test your cleaning solution on the back or underside of your furniture and observe how your fabric responds. For maximum control and to avoid spills, we suggest applying your mixture with a spray bottle. Once you feel comfortable that your upholstery can handle your cleaning agent, lightly mist it onto any soiled areas, reserving direct sprays for obvious stains. Be sure to keep the amount of liquid you use to a minimum, as significant amounts of water can damage your fabric and, potentially, lead to mold. To clean, pat or push (don’t rub) an affected area with a dry microfiber rag. Once that’s done, gently wipe up any dirt and excess cleaning solution. Finally, blot with a fresh dry rag to remove as much moisture as possible.
Dry
Ideally, your upholstered furniture should be left to dry for at least 12 hours. A fresh breeze and some warming sunlight can speed up the process but, if the weather doesn’t lend itself to opening the windows, turn on a ceiling or stand-up fan. Just make sure the fan’s blades are free of dust and debris, otherwise you’ll be repeating the cleaning process a lot sooner than you’d like. Also, resist the temptation to use a hair dryer as prolonged exposure to hot air can weaken or destroy many fabrics.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned, or you’re having trouble removing a stubborn stain, get in touch with Aquamist today.