THE ULTIMATE CLEANING GUIDE
How To: Clean Upholstery
GET TO KNOW YOUR FABRICS
Just like the fabric in clothing, upholstery gets assaulted daily by skin oils, hair, dust, food crumbs, and spills. But before you dive into this guide on how to clean upholstery, first learn what you’re dealing with by checking the label on the bottom of the piece or under a cushion to see what type of cleaner is recommended. Below you will find the common cleaning codes found on tags of chairs, sofa sectionals, couches, ottomans, cushions and pillows.
W
Only use water-based cleaners. Be sure to use a spray bottle to help avoid over saturating an area with cleaning solution.
S
Dry-cleaning solvents only. The fabric will not react well if water is applied to it. Stains, Spills or dirt on general should be cleaned as soon as possible.
S/W
Use a combo of dry-cleaning solvents and water. Generally, it’s best left to the professionals to clean something with this code.
X
Not cleanable. Vacuum or light brushing only - it’s rare to see this code on furniture, but it frequently appears on fabric blinds and shades.
NEW UPHOLSTERY FABRIC COLLECTION:
How to Clean Stains from Upholstery
The quicker you attend to a spill (of wine, sauce, greasy food), the less likely it will stain, so as soon as your able, blot—don’t rub!—immediately with a clean, white cloth. To treat whatever mark remains, or go after spills that have set into stains, try a spot cleaner or dry cleaning solvent approved for your type of upholstery.
How to Clean Leather Furniture
the only regular maintenance your leather sofas and chairs need is a good dusting with a dry cloth every once in a while and a monthly application of a leather cream to keep the material soft and moisturized. To tackle mild stains, dip a clean, damp washcloth in warm soapy water, and use it to wipe away the stain.
How to Care For Velvet Upholstery
Furniture upholstered with velvet can attract and trap dust. It helps to sweep or vacuum your velvet-upholstered furniture on a regular basis to prevent buildup. Use a gentle vacuum attachment, ideally one with a soft-bristle brush or a smooth edge to avoid scraping or denting the velvet.
