For most of you, upholstered furniture is the first thing to look out for after entering the home seeking relaxation. The comfort it provides is unmatchable, but taking care of such furniture is equally tough. You should be extra careful while cleaning it as a wrong step could lead to permanent damage. We give you some simple tips on how to clean various types of upholstered furniture:
What is upholstery or upholstered furniture?
Not all pieces of furniture present at your home are upholstered furniture. Therefore, first understand the definition and types. Originating from the words 'up' and 'holden', upholstered furniture is the one consisting of padding, springs, webbing, leather covers, etc. The main categories of upholstery are
⦁ Frames
⦁ Spring Support Systems
⦁ Cushion, Pillows, Padding, and Fills
Tools needed to clean various types of upholstered furniture
Tools required are more or less the same in all types of upholstered furniture. Only the cleaning technique varies. Some of the must-have tools are:
⦁ A dry cloth
⦁ Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
⦁ Baby wipes
⦁ Upholstery cleaner
⦁ A multipurpose brush
⦁ Water
How to clean leather and leatherette
On leather-made furniture, regular vacuuming is essential as it will not allow moisture to settle and damage the material. Use upholstery leather cleaner in case of stains. Practise gentle cleaning. On the other hand, cleaning leatherette can be done with multipurpose detergent cleaner along with water and towel. Stains can be removed with nail polish remover and then scrub gently.
How to clean fabrics
Practise detail cleaning for fabrics. Vacuuming in seams and narrow spaces is essential as dust particles will be settled there the most. Spray lightly on the furniture and wipe off with a dry cloth. Avoid cleaners made with chemicals that are harmful to your health and furniture. A dyed cloth may discolour your fabric. Hence, avoid it. Using alcohol to remove stains is recommended.
How to clean velvet and suede
Be extra careful as velvet has the maximum chances of getting damaged while cleaning. Velvets such as cotton and polyester can be cleaned using mild detergent and towel with a gentle rub. Otherwise, go for professional cleaners. Suede tends to resist water. Hence, use baking soda or white vinegar while removing dirt or stains. Baking soda is more helpful in removing grease stains.