Our furniture is where we find comfort. However, it also absorbs smells and dirt like anything else. This means upholstery cleaning is needed to keep it smelling and looking great. You can’t exactly throw your entire couch in the washing machine, which means that cleaning it poses some challenges. Whether you hire a professional upholstery cleaning service or decide to do it yourself, there are a few things to know that will help you determine the best cleaning method for you.
Look For the Upholstery Cleaning Tags
All furniture has a tag on it that shows the best method of cleaning. Some upholstery fabrics are fine with detergent and water; others don’t like water at all. The recommended care tags will tell you the appropriate method of cleaning. It’s important to test a small area with any cleaning agents you are going to use.
If you can take the covers off your furniture, make sure they are preshrunk. It can become a challenge to get the covers back on if they have shrunk.
If you have antique furniture, it is best to have a professional upholstery cleaning service, such as Extreme Carpet Care, handle it. The fabric may need special care and it’s a good idea to be cautious when it comes to antiques.
Vacuum and Spot Treat
Before you begin cleaning, you need to vacuum your furniture. This lifts dirt and other particles out of the fabric that could get embedded deeper when you start cleaning.
After everything is vacuumed, you will need to pretreat any difficult stains. Again, test a small area with your cleaner before applying it to the stain. Do not try to scrape off anything with a sharp object or your fingernail. Instead, use a brushing motion with a soft bristle brush or sponge. It might take longer, but you won’t destroy your upholstery while trying to clean it.
Start the Upholstery Cleaning Process
Depending on what the care tags say, in some cases you might be able to take the covers off of your cushions and throw them in the washing machine. For things requiring a more delicate method of cleaning, there are a few things to remember. Only dampen the fabric slightly. The more saturated with water the fabric is, the longer it will take to dry, and it could even start to grow mold. If your furniture is really dirty, you can wash it multiple times, but make sure it gets completely dry from the first round before washing again.
It’s always a good idea to know how to clean your furniture the right way. However, the best way to get your upholstery as clean as possible is with a professional cleaning. The tools that the professionals use can get the dirt and allergens that regular cleaning leaves behind. If your furniture is still looking faded and dirty after you have cleaned it, then call Extreme Carpet Care before you go furniture shopping. A good deep cleaning can make old furniture look and feel like new, and for a fraction of the cost of a new couch. Don’t throw away perfectly good furniture. Call us today!
