How to Clean Upholstery Fabric? Cleaning Guide

It is simple to clean the upholstery in a house. Read this article to learn the best methods for cleaning the upholstery in your home.

Upholstery is subjected to the same daily assault as clothing fabric—skin oils, hair, dust, food crumbs, and spills. Save yourself hundreds of dollars and hold off on calling a professional if your chairs and sofas are beginning to show signs of wear—at least for the time being. It can only cost a few pennies to remove dirt, stains, and even discoloration.

Thankfully, if you have about 15 minutes, you can easily clean upholstery fabric with a few simple tools and supplies you most likely already own.

Considerations Before You Clean Upholstery Fabric

The care tag for your upholstered furniture should be located before you take any action. (Investigate the bottom of the furniture or under the cushions.) This tag has a code that tells you the best way to clean the fabric:

• W = Water Based
• S = Solvent Based
• WS = Water or Solvent
• X = Professional Cleaning Required

Utilize the cleaning advice and methods provided here after performing a test on a hidden area. Your furniture will continue to look great longer if general upholstery maintenance is part of your regular home maintenance.

How to Clean Upholstery Fabric?

Here are the steps to clean upholstery fabrics:

Step 1: Vacuum Well

With a vacuum like the Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister, one of our favorites for pet hair, remove loose dust and soil using the upholstery attachment and crevice tool. Work your way down the furniture slowly, starting at the top.

Don’t forget to clean the piece’s sides, back, and underneath the cushions. To keep your upholstery clean and smooth and to remove dirt and pet hair, try using a tool like the Gleener Fabric Shaver and Lint Brush.

Step 2: Mix a Stain Remover

If using a commercial cleaner, such as a pet stain remover, carefully follow the instructions on the label.

To make your own, mix ¼ cup dishwashing liquid with 1 cup warm water in a medium bowl, and then stir the mixture to make suds with a whisk or hand-held electric mixer. Picnic blankets that cannot be machine-washed can also be spot-cleaned with this stain remover.

Step 3: Prepare Rinse

To use for rinsing, fill a second bowl or small bucket with warm water.

Step 4: Treat the Stains

Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the stains while only dipping into the suds. Clear water should be used to rinse the sponge as the soil is transferred. Apply the suds to any lingering stains or heavily soiled areas after thoroughly ringing the rinsed sponge until it is no longer dripping.

Step 5: Mix An Overall Upholstery Cleaner

For general cleaning, fill a bucket with one gallon of water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. A second bucket with clean water should be set out.

Step 6: Start at the Top

Then, wring out the sponge until it is only slightly damp (not dripping). Dip it in your cleaning solution. Wipe down all of the upholstered piece’s surfaces starting at the top. As you work, frequently rinse the sponge in the cleaning solution. To prevent the padding on the furniture from getting too wet, wring the sponge out thoroughly.

Step 7: Rinse the Upholstery

Once your item is clean, dampen a microfiber cloth by dipping it in clean water and wringing it out until it is just damp. Wipe away any soapy lingering residue starting at the top. (Cleaner residue that sticks to the surface attracts soil more quickly.)

Step 8: Air-Dry

Don’t use the upholstery until it is completely dry and let it air dry away from heat or sunlight. A circulating fan should be installed in the space to hasten the process.

Here are tips when cleaning upholstery fabrics:

• How to Clean Upholstery Without a Machine?
• How to Clean Upholstery With OxiClean?

How to Clean Different Types of Upholstery Fabric?

Depending on the fabric you’re working with, try these simple spot stain removal techniques after you’ve vacuumed up any removable debris. When cleaning upholstery, always dab and never rub vigorously because doing so can stretch the fabric and push the dirt deeper. Here are methods to clean different types of upholstery fabrics:

How to Remove Odor from Furniture Fabric?

Baking soda upholstery cleaning is a great way to disinfect your chair, sofa, car seats, and other upholstery. It can also help get rid of odors. One of the main culprits for absorbing and then emitting household smells is upholstery, which can do this with anything from dog odors to cigarette smoke to last night’s curry.

Even if you can’t see the build-up, your visitors probably will. Therefore, once or twice a couple of months, liberally sprinkle baking soda over your couch, chair, or headboard and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. To make the bicarb adhere to vertical surfaces, lightly mist your upholstery with water.

Then vacuum your upholstery and use one of the cleaning techniques mentioned above. Repeat the process if the odor is still present, this time adding some dry carpet cleaning powder for a stronger reaction.

Thoroughly vacuum it after allowing it to sit for 30 minutes or, even better, overnight. Although it may appear to be clean on the outside, it may still be hiding a variety of odors. Sprinkle baking or bicarbonate of soda all over the surface and leave it overnight once more to allow the powder to absorb the odors. In the morning, vacuum everything off.

How to Clean Stains on Upholstery Fabric?

Blot spills rather than rubbing them; the quicker you deal with a spill (of wine, sauce, or greasy food), the less likely it is to stain.—immediately with a clean, white cloth.

Try using a spot cleaner or dry cleaning solvent approved for your type of upholstery to remove any remaining stains or to remove spills that have turned into stains. If your fabric can withstand water, wet and wring out a clean cloth or sponge before dipping it into a solution of water and a small amount of liquid dish soap.

And finally, gently blot the stain. Use a clean cloth or sponge that has been dipped in clean water and wrung out to blot the area afterward. Repeat as necessary, and then use a fresh cloth or white paper towel to blot the stain dry.

Of course, some stains will be challenging, if not impossible, to get rid of by yourself. It may be time to contact a reputable cleaning company for assistance if you’ve tried two or three times in vain.

Although it can be difficult, removing stains from upholstery is not impossible. Here are some guides you can follow to clean different stains from upholstery:

General Tips for Upholstery Fabric Cleaning

• Make sure to test any of these methods in a hidden location first to ensure that colors won’t bleed or fade (for example, under a cushion or on the skirt’s backside).
• Avoid getting water or cleaning supplies on the wood or metal parts of your furniture because doing so could cause rust, corrosion, or discoloration.
• On woven fabrics, whether natural or synthetic, these techniques should be applied.
• To have your upholstery cleaned by a professional, if your fabric has an X code. These services are typically offered in your home; a professional cleaner should be able to provide you with a general estimate based on the size and fabric type of your furniture.

Conclusion: Clean Upholstery Fabric

No matter what kind of upholstery your couch has, vacuuming it thoroughly once a week is one of the best things you can do to improve its cleanliness.

As soon as the spill occurs, blot it with a fresh cloth or paper towel. Never rub the stain or scrub it, as this could spread it or cause it to penetrate the fabric more deeply.

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