This article with tips on how to properly clean your couch upholstery comes from The Spruce.
How to Clean Couch Upholstery
Your couch is one of the most used and abused pieces of furniture in your home. It serves as a sometimes bed, dining table, pet haven, and playground. All of that activity leaves plenty of stains and unseen grime like dust mites, bacteria, and fungi.
Take a hard look at your couch. It’s probably time to give it a good cleaning.
How to Vacuum Your Couch
One of the best things you can do to improve the cleanliness of your couch, no matter what style or type of upholstery, is to vacuum it well weekly. While a lightweight portable hand-held vacuum works fine to gather up potato chip crumbs, you really need to use a vacuum with more suction to get at the really yucky stuff.
Choose the Right Tools
Choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture as much dust and allergens like pet dander as possible. To really tackle bacteria, viruses, bedbugs, and dust mites, use a vacuum with UV light like the Raycop RN. The UV light kills the offenders, sucks them away, and traps them in a dual filtration system.
Vacuum the Sides
It is important to go over every inch of the upholstery. Don’t forget the lower sides and back of the couch even if it is placed up against a wall and never touched by humans. Dust clings everywhere!
Vacuum the Cushions
Use the crevice tool to get deep between the cushions and the frame of the couch. You may just find a small fortune. If your couch has removable cushions, remove them and vacuum both sides.
Vacuum the Bottom
And, if you’re feeling really ambitious, with assistance, tilt the couch over and vacuum the bottom of the piece. (It’s also a good time to really clean the flooring underneath.)
How to Remove Stains
Before you can clean the overall upholstery, you should tackle any specific stains.
Blot Moisture and Remove Solid Debris
If stains are liquid and fresh, blot away as much moisture as possible with paper towels. For solids like mayonnaise or sticky cheese, use the edge of a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to lift away as much of the stain as possible. Never rub the area because that only pushes the stain deeper into the fabric fibers. For dried solids, use a soft-bristled brush to loosen the dried matter.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
If the upholstery can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, mix one-fourth cup liquid dishwashing soap and one cup of warm water in a small bowl. Use an electric beater or a whisk to create some suds.
Rub Stain
Dip a sponge into the suds and rub away the stain. Keep moving to a clean area of the sponge as the stain is transferred.
Rinse and Dry
Finish by dipping the sponge or a microfiber cloth in clear water to blot away any cleaning solution. This “rinse” is very important because any detergent left in the fibers can actually attract more soil. Allow the area to air dry completely away from direct sunlight or heat.
If the upholstery requires a dry cleaning solvent, follow the directions on the product label.
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Need a little extra help? Contact us today at J and R’s Carpet Cleaning to schedule a professional upholstery cleaning!