If you live in a high-traffic home with kids, guests, and pets running around, you may have experienced a spill or two on your furniture. Or, maybe your home is tidy and just needs a good old-fashioned spring cleaning. Whatever the case may be, it’s always good to have some good cleaning tips under your belt, especially if you own upholstered furniture.
Upholstery is notorious for being difficult to clean. After all, you don’t want to risk ruining it and having to replace it. At Springer, we’ve spent years perfecting our cleaning methods and techniques, helping people all around the central Iowa area. Here are our tips to safely clean your upholstered furniture.
Vacuum Thoroughly
The first step to cleaning upholstery is to make sure it is vacuumed clean of dirt and dust. This will make for a clean foundation when you tackle any stains or simply just wipe it down with a cleaning solution. Vacuuming will also ensure that any fibers that are flattened from use are restored to their original texture. It’s also a great way to reduce any allergens in your home, pick up anything that may have “blown in” from outside, or clean anything that has fallen off people or pets that may have used it.
If your furniture smells great, looks brand new, and has no noticeable stains, then you won’t need to continue further with cleaning. Vacuuming your upholstery regularly will maximize its longevity and can help prevent a build-up of dirt and grime.
Pro tip: We’d recommend vacuuming your furniture weekly or bi-weekly. For deeper cleans, we’d recommend doing this when the seasons change, or at least twice a year.
Find Your Furniture’s Washing Code
Did you know that on the tag of your furniture (more often than not), there is a code that signals what type of cleaning can be used on the fabric? Upholstery can range from linen and cotton to polyester and velvet, just to name a few. All of these materials have their own cleaning methods, so it’s key to know and understand what works best for yours!
Code W
A “W” on your furniture tag means that you can use water or a water-based cleaning solution to deep clean your upholstery type.
Code S
This code means you can use solvents. These are going to be more powerful cleaning solutions that help break down oil-based messes on your fabric.
Code W/S
Pretty self-explanatory, this code means you can use both water-based cleaning solutions and dry solvents.
Pro tip: Test a small, unnoticeable piece of fabric with water and one with a solvent to see which works better. That way, you aren’t guessing and don’t risk destroying the upholstery with a deeper clean. If you’re unsure or not confident, we’d recommend getting in touch with a professional cleaner to get their expert advice.
Code X
Avoid using any cleaning solution on this upholstery. Water-based and solvent cleaners will ruin the fabric, so try using a soft bristled dry cleaning brush if you need to spot clean.
Using a Water-Based Cleaning Solution
If your code is “W” or “W/S” on your piece of upholstered furniture, a water-based cleaning solution is what you may need. To create a solution, you can DIY one with simple dishwashing liquid, vinegar, and water. Water needs to be the key ingredient, taking up most of the solution base. The great thing about making your own water-based solution is that you control how much water you use. You can start with a lot and then slowly reduce the amount based on how effective it is.
Using a Solvent Cleaning Solution
Solvent cleaners should be used carefully and as needed. Their much harsher chemicals can cause damage to upholstery (even those coded “S” or “W/S”) if not used properly. Be sure to research solvent cleaning solutions with care, making sure that the chemicals used in pre-made ones are not going to be too harsh on the type of cleaning you need to use them for. When in doubt, or if the amount of stain removal is too high to spot-clean, get in touch with a local cleaner for advice on how to move forward.
When in Doubt, Refer to the Manufacturer’s Instructions
If you are at all confused or unsure about how to clean your upholstery, be sure to look up the manufacturer’s instructions. If you no longer have a physical copy, chances are there is an online version under the online product you purchased. If this piece of upholstery is old or second-hand, then go by the tag’s code to be safe. Or, look up other upholstery types online and research what is most common in cleaning methods.
Receive Professional, Expert Cleaning Care for Your Upholstered Furniture
Bring life back into your upholstery with reliable cleaning services from Spring Floor Care. We’re not just a company that specializes in floor and rug cleaning, but we’re well-versed in upholstered furniture too. Our team of experts has worked with fabric types and materials of all kinds, creating cleaning methods that not only get the job done but will also make your furniture look brand new.
Let the Springer Floor Care team take care of your furniture cleaning needs. Contact us today with additional questions or to get started!