Have you purchased modern furniture with luxury upholstery, but now it seems dirty and odd? The upholstery gets stains and splashes, and some deposit dust over their surfaces, which makes them look unclean and filthy. So, if you want to know how to clean upholstery and restore its original condition, you are at the right place.
In this blog by Arabic Curtains, you will learn how to clean upholstery the right way without damaging its fabrics. Moreover, we will also list some upholstery codes that will help you recognize the correct cleaner for the cleaning. So, get ready to restore the original condition of your upholstery and keep your furniture in a satisfactory state for several decades.
Let’s Explore Upholstery Code For Better Cleaning
Normally, there is a code system for upholstered items, the same is for the furniture upholstery. These codes will help you choose the cleaning product without damaging the upholstery. So, before you learn how to clean upholstery the right way, it is mandatory to know about these codes thoroughly to avoid any hassle. So, before you start cleaning, make sure to locate these codes on your upholstery. Let’s start learning about these codes:
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Code W
If your upholstery has a W code, you can only use water to clean it. You can also spot-clean it with water and any dilute water-based solvents. Also, do not machine wash these upholstery items like custom sofas otherwise, their fibers will get damaged.
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Code S
The next code word is S, which stands for solvent. You can use cleaning solutions like acetone and methanol. These cleaners will clean out the oil-based spills and splashes. Additionally, you can also dry clean the upholstery with S code. Moreover, you can also spot-clean the mess with dry cleaning.
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Code W/S
You can clean the upholstery that marks W/S using water-based cleaners and dry-clean solvents. You can perform a spot test for both cleaners to see which one works better on the spot. We recommend avoiding using a combination of these cleaners; otherwise, the upholstery will be damaged and it won’t look good with your interior elements including luxury carpets, and flooring.
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Code X
The last code is X. This code means that your upholstery fabrics do not allow liquid or any other solvent. To remove the accumulated dust from this upholstery, you must use a vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle brush. To avoid any inconvenience, clean these upholstery thrice a month.
Proper Way To Clean The Upholstery
After learning about the upholstery code, let’s move toward how to clean upholstery the right way. Below are some of the tools and supplies you need during the process. It is better to collect them first before cleaning the upholstery.
Tools And Supplies
- Paper towels
- Warm water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Dry cleaning solvent (optional)
- Dull knife
- Soft brush
- Sponge or microfiber cloth
- Fan (optional)
- Vacuum
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Bowl
How To Clean Upholstery DIY
Here are the easiest ways to clean the upholstery. You can use the cleaning solvent according to the type of upholstery. Have a look at the upholstery cleaning steps.
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Prepare the Cleaning Solution
First, take a bowl and pour two glasses of water into it. Now add one teaspoon of diluted cleaning solution to the dishwashing liquid. Mix it very well until it reaches a homogeneous consistency.
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Wipe the Fabric
Now, take a sponge or soft microfiber cloth. Dip it in the cleaning solution. After damping the cloth, wipe down every upholstery surface. Clean the small section at a time. Here, ensure the damp sponge does not touch the metal and wood components like snaps, frames, and buttons because the moisture can cause rust.
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Rinse
After thoroughly and gently cleaning, retake a sponge or a cloth. Dip it into tap water and start cleaning the upholstery. When you are done, blot it with a dry cloth that can absorb moisture thoroughly. Additionally, turn on the fan to speed up the cleaning process. Here, you are done with cleaning the upholstery.
How To Vacuum Upholstery?
For upholstery that only allows vacuuming, here is the process for how to clean upholstery thoroughly. Let’s start exploring.
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Pick The Vacuum Cleaner With Right Attachment
The first step is to pick a handy, lightweight, and portable vacuum cleaner. Then, attach a HEPA filter to it. This will allow you to capture maximum dust and allergens from the upholstery.
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Vacuum The Sides
Start vacuuming from the lower sides and back, even if placed against the wall. Vacuum every inch of upholstery sides because they contain a lot of dust and debris.
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Vacuum The Cushions
To clean the cushions, attach a crevice tool with a vacuum cleaner. It will help to get deep between the cushions and frame of furniture. If your furniture has removable cushions, remove them first. Now, vacuum-clean both sides of their upholstery.
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Vacuum Clean The Bottom
Never forget to vacuum the bottom frame of your upholstery furniture. You can perform this cleaning twice a year to remove the accumulated dust. Last, UV light kills the bacteria and germs from the upholstery.
How To Remove Stain From Upholstery?
Here are some steps to remove stains from upholstery. Check them out:
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Bolt And Remove Solid Debris
Analyze the stain first. If it is fresh, use a paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible. Use a dull knife to remove or lift the solid debris from the old and solid stains of cheese and mayonnaise. Additionally, you can utilize a soft-bristled brush to loosen the dried matter from the dried liquid stains.
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Prepare The Cleaning Solution
Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid into one glass of warm water if the fabrics can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner. Mix it thoroughly.
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Rub The Stains
Now dip the sponge into the cleaning solution and rub the stains or splashes in a circular motion. Keep moving the clean sponge until the stain is transferred to the satins.
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Rinse And Dry
Dip the microfiber cloth in water and bolt away all the cleaning solution. After that, leave it to dry. Dry the upholstery under the fan for at least 8 to 10 hours.
Final Words
So that was all about how to clean upholstery. From the above discussion, we hope you learn about the proper cleaning solution for your upholstery by understanding the code. Always use the right cleaning solution for the upholstery for the appropriate cleaning.
