This article comes from Better Homes & Gardens.
How to Clean Upholstered Furniture to Keep Your Sofa Looking Spotless
The upholstered furniture in your living areas can take a lot of wear and tear. Even if you and your family are extra careful, spills and accidents, whether it’s a spilled glass of wine or muddy paw prints, are just a part of life. The best way to prevent stains on upholstered furniture, including sofas, chairs, benches, ottomans, and other fabric-covered pieces, isn’t by banning food and pets from the living room altogether. You just need to know what to do when stains happen. When you work fast, clean upholstery regularly, and know your fabric, you can handle spills, stains, and other mishaps with ease. When you’re tackling a tough stain and removing unsightly pet hair, these tips on how to clean upholstered furniture will help keep your sofas and chairs looking pristine for years to come.
Vacuum Upholstered Furniture Often
Our number one DIY upholstery cleaning tip is to vacuum your upholstered furniture often. Dirt not only affects the appearance of your furniture, but it can also wear away upholstery fibers. Use a clean, dry upholstery attachment, or any stiff-bristle brush, to loosen dried dirt and debris. Use the crevice tool for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
Use Baby Wipes to Clean Furniture
Baby wipes are surprisingly effective for quick DIY upholstery cleaning (although you should always test first on an inconspicuous area to make sure they won’t damage the fabric). Great for leather, cotton, or polyester upholstery, these wipes offer a gentle mixture of water and soap that contains very little moisture. Keep a travel pack stashed in the living room for instant spot removal whenever spills happen. Baby wipes are also ideal for spot-cleaning rugs. Act quickly on coffee drips and other spills, and the stain will be out before it even has time to set.
Clean Upholstery According to Codes
Refer to your piece’s manufacturer instructions and fabric cleaning code for the best way to clean upholstered furniture. “W” means it’s OK to use water. Remove the cushion covers and launder according to the manufacturer’s instructions. “S” means skip the water and use a nonwater-based solvent, such as alcohol, instead. Spray it on lightly, then blot with a clean white cloth or sponge. “S/W” means you’re OK using either solvents or water, and “X” means use neither and vacuum only.
Clean Upholstered Furniture Gently
Don’t scrub upholstered furniture, even when you’re dealing with tough, set-in stains. Scrubbing could grind the stain further into the fibers or damage the fabric. It’s better to let the stain remover sink in and set, then gently blot away. Use a soft, microfiber cloth for blotting instead of coarse fabric or a bristled brush. If the fibers are stiff after cleaning and drying, use a soft brush to loosen the material.
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