It is everyone’s dream to have beautiful looking furniture. Your upholstered furniture can be kept clean, with daily or weekly maintenance, in the easiest way possible. Dust settles on any upholstered furniture as much as it does on any wood surface. Dirty feet, food stains and ink blots are repeat offenders. So, here’s our guide to simply and efficiently cleaning upholstered furniture.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
Resources Required:
1. A couple of cleaning cloths
2. A mild laundry detergent
3. Handheld dusting brushes
4. Procyon cleaners (colorless, odorless, non-toxic and biodegradable)
5. A vacuum cleaner
6. Warm water
The Method
1. Make a solution of 1/4 cup liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup warm water.
2. Use a hand-held kitchen mixer to whip this solution till it forms dry suds.
3. Now test the mixture on the upholstery in an area which is not easily viewable. Apply the dry suds with a cloth or soft brush and lightly scrub and then leave the fabric to dry out.
5. If the selected area is cleaned and the upholstery is not damaged, then the entire furniture can be cleaned in this manner.
6. Shampoo only a small area at a time and use a spatula or rubber scraper to lift off the dirty suds.
7. Repeat the previous step if necessary, then wipe the area with a clean cloth dipped in clear water and squeezed till nearly dry.
8. Make sure the upholstery is completely dry.
9. Spray Procyon onto the stain and work into the area with a soft cloth or brush.
10. Wait for about 15 minutes before wiping Procyon cleaner off with a soft clean cloth.
11. Let the fabric dry completely. Do not use the furniture in the meanwhile.
Quick Tips
1. Steaming helps in cleaning away deep-set stains in the upholstered fabric.
2. Always keep a liquid extractor handy to quickly remove stains.
3. Do not use a cleaning mixture without testing it first on a small portion of your upholstered furniture. A strong cleanser might damage the fabric.
Things To Watch Out For
1. Acidic solutions are harmful, so it is advisable to not use them on upholstery.
2. Some fabrics, such as silk, need expert attention and care. It might be a good idea to engage a professional for cleaning silk upholstery.
3. Never dry out your furniture in direct sunlight, it could lead to fading.
