|
Residential—Upholstery Care Tips |
|
Dust settles on upholstered furniture just as on hard surfaces, and should be removed regularly, about once a month at least, depending on environment and use. Remove loose dust with vacuum cleaner attachments - the upholstery nozzle and crevice tool. A soft brush will remove some dust if you do not have a vacuum, but will also scatter dust around the house which will settle back onto furnishings and floors. Down-filled cushions that are not lined with down-proof ticking should always be brushed, as the vacuum may draw out down through the fabric. Reduce greasy soil in the air by use of a range hood when cooking; clean furnace filters will reduce soil in the air. Arm and headrest covers of matching or harmonizing fabric protect those areas against early build-up of soil from skin and hair. In summer, if people will be sitting on furniture in shorts, cover with washable throws, sheets, or large pieces of terrycloth to protect from body soil. Furniture is a big investment—regular professional cleaning will keep it looking great for many years. Call us for routine cleaning or for the tough spots that affect your furniture. The key to spot removal on upholstered furniture is choosing the appropriate type of cleaning method. For example, if you have an antique chair that is hand embroidered then it would require a different cleaning technique than a sofa that was store bought. In this article, we will walk you through several upholstery cleaning tips to make the job easy and worthwhile. Remember, some spots may require professional treatment and it is always a good idea to have furnishings professionally cleaned on a regular basis to protect your investment.
Think about all the times people have eaten on the sofa, dropping bits of food or drink that leave stains. Then you have the dirty feet, dirty clothing, and just everyday wear and tear that can leave upholstery looking dirty and drab. As you are about to discover, getting those stains out does not have to be painful. The most important thing to remember when cleaning upholstery is to consider the fabric. If you are unsure, you can check the manufacturer’s information usually found on a tag under or on the back of the furniture, or under the cushions.
Before you start in cleaning a large stain, we recommend you work first on an inconspicuous area to ensure no discoloration or damage is done. With that done, the following are a few of the more common stains found on upholstery and methods for removing them.
Butter Stains The family sits around to watch a movie and in comes the hot, buttered popcorn. Although everyone is careful, pieces can fall and then you have a grease stain. For butter, the best option is to choose a dry cleaning solvent, which can be found at grocery and retail stores. Apply a little onto a clean, white cloth and blot at the stain, never rub. Next, mix one tablespoon of a mild, ph-balanced detergent with one cup of warm water. Again, blot at the stain. Then, using another towel, sponge the solvent and detergent off with clean, warm water and allow the spot to dry
Ink Stains Coming home from work or school, you sit down with a pen in your pocket and before you know it, a stain is left. Ballpoint pens, especially blue, are common stain makers but as you will discover with this upholstery cleaning tip, they too come out. The key however, is to be patient and persistent, as ink stains can be stubborn. Just make sure you only blot. Rubbing could cause the ink stain to worsen.
Spray hairspray onto a clean, white towel and then dab at the stain, followed by blotting with a clean, dry towel. OR Treat a clean, white towel with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Again, blot the ink stain, followed by a dry towel
Coffee Stains Sipping coffee on an upholstered chair or sofa is an everyday occurrence. To get rid of a coffee stain, mix one teaspoon of a mild, ph-balanced detergent with one cup of warm water, then blot from the outside in. Follow this with blotting the stain with a mixture of one-third cup white vinegar with two-thirds cup water. When finished, use a clean, white towel to absorb any excess, allow the area to dry. |