Cleaning your upholstery on a regular basis can make a big difference to its appearance. However, it is a domestic task that people often put off doing as they think it will be time-consuming and hard work. However, using the following tips will make light work of this task and make your upholstery look and smell fantastic. Shall we begin?
Preventative Measures
When you first purchase an item of furniture, you may be given the option of having the item treated to protect the fabrics and minimise the risk of problems with spillages and stains. When you are already forking out a large sum of money for items of furniture, this additional cost may seem unnecessary. However, if you can afford to pay the extra, it is well worth doing as it will reduce the time and money you spend cleaning your upholstery in the future.
Spillages
It is much easier to sort out spillages if they are dealt with straight away. Not only will this reduce the likelihood of stains, it will also help stop the spillage from creating lingering bad odours, too.
Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe away any liquid. Dabbing rather than scrubbing is better as some stains can be made worse by rubbing. Baby wipes are fantastic for cleaning up spillages and small stains because they do not contain products that will harm your upholstery and are only damp rather than wet.
Preparing for Upholstery Cleaning
Before cleaning your upholstery, you should vacuum your sofa and chairs to remove any debris and as much dust as possible before you start. You can use the nozzle to get into all the crooks and crannies.
– Cleaning Upholstery with Removable Covers
If your sofa and armchairs have removable covers, you can usually just wash them in the washing machine. However, it is essential that you follow the manufacturers guidelines for washing and drying to prevent damage, such as shrinking. A handy tip is to put the covers back on the furniture while they are still damp. This will help them to dry back into the shape of your sofa, chairs and cushions.
– Cleaning Non-Removable Upholstery
Upholstery that is not removable needs to be cleaned by hand. To do this, you will need warm water with laundry detergent added. This has all the cleaning properties you need for the job and also smells fantastic. Simply sponge the upholstery with the solution to get the best results. If there are areas that are particularly stained, you may want to apply the solution to these areas first. Do not saturate the fabric, using the wet cloth is enough. Leave your furniture to dry naturally.
– Tackling Upholstery Stains
Some stains may need a little additional work to remove and return your upholstery to its former glory. A useful product for many domestic tasks is white vinegar, and it’s a fantastic choice for upholstery stain removal. Simply dab a little of the vinegar onto the affected area and leave for a while before washing off with water and laundry detergent when you clean the rest of your sofa.
Let Us Answer Your Questions
Cleaning your upholstery may seem like a big task that requires a lot of time and effort. However, using these tips will help to simplify the job and leave your upholstery looking as good as new.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to call our staff at Why Bother Cleaning today. We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.