Is it a really good idea to clean soft furniture on your own?
Is it possible to clean upholstered furniture at home – a topical issue for everyone, as it is not
always possible to remove stains from the carpet and sofas immediately. These can be marks
from children's hands, food and other things. Of course, the presence of such stains gives any
furniture an unpleasant look. Moreover stains and dirt is perfect environment for the
bacteria…Of course, everyone first tries to solve the problem on their own.
But in this case it is important to choose the safest and best way to avoid damaging the sofa or
carpet.
Here are 3 main tips to clean upholstery yourself:
1. Pay attention to the upholstery material
Velour, silk, wool and suede are tricky materials. Even ordinary water may cause serious
problems: the fabric can shrink, lose colour and shape and, in some cases, be completely
ruined. On the other hand, leather upholstery reacts well to a wet cloth. A flocked fabric after
cleaning should be smothered. As you can see, there are a lot of nuances.
Before you clean any upholstered furniture – determine the upholstery material and the best
way of cleaning. This data you can find in the manuals.
Also take a note that any upholstery cleanser should be tested. Choose an invisible area of the
sofa (such as the backrest) and test the cleaner on a small piece.
2. Way of applying the cleaner
The way you apply the cleaner to the stain affects the result even more than the selected
cleaner.
You should clean the stain from the edge towards the centre. This way the stain will not
stretch. If the stain is big, treat the surface from steatch to steatch to avoid streaks.
Clean without pressure. Otherwise, along with the stain there will also be a trace of frayed lint.
Use sponges or soft brushes for cleaning.
3. Water for cleaning upholstered furniture
Almost all domestic furniture cleaning solutions consist of water. Even if fabric is not afraid of
moisture, excessive liquid can cause mould and fungus. Therefore, try to squeeze the sponge
well before applying the cleanser to the upholstery. Another way to avoid water damage is to
use a spray. This will distribute the liquid evenly and will not destroy the furniture.
Without a doubt home upholstery cleaning cannot be compared to a professional service. They
not only know the ins and outs of furniture cleaning and use organic non-allergic solutions but
also utilize special equipment. Due to deep steam the solutions is able to penetrate into the
fabric and get rid of bacteria, stains and odours.
Therefore, to avoid the risk of damaging your furniture or carpet, it is usually better to hire
professionals.