How to Maintain Upholstered Furniture

How to Maintain Upholstered Furniture

The best things about maintaining upholstered furniture? It is easy to do and it does not take much time. The result? You get to have a great looking sofa year after year.

Choose the Right Fabric

Give yourself an advantage when you buy right. Choose the right fabric for the right place, and you make your upholstery maintenance task easier. Not only that but choosing fabric that is appropriate for your lifestyle and the upholstered piece can extend the furniture's life. For example, synthetic fibers are a better choice for upholstered furniture that sits in areas of heavy usage. If you have pets, choose fabrics that do not have loose weaves or too much texture.

Protect Your Fabric

The best form of fabric protection is prompt attention to spills. A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory, where it is usually treated with soil and water repellents. Some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors may also be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home.

While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Don't let it give you a false sense of security. Always clean up any spills or stains promptly, and follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper care methods.

Turn the Cushions

You can extend your upholstered furniture’s life by periodically turning over the loose cushions. What can be simpler? This easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear, and your cushions won’t develop indentations right away. Caring for cushions by fluffing them after you’ve cleaned also helps keep them in shape.

Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage.

Vacuum

Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers.

You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft-bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric.

Spot Clean

While regular care does a lot for the maintenance of your upholstered furniture, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector.

Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water-based or solvent-based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants

Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods. This is especially true for silks or other delicate fabrics.

Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors.

Call a Professional

It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years or so. Experts recommend having this done regularly and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.

How to Clean a Fabric Sofa

How to Get Grease Stains Out of Couch (or How to Get Oil Stains Out of Couch)

While we wish all spills would contain just water, sometimes, that’s not the case, and grease stains can occur, as well. While trickier, removing them is possible. The best way to go about it is to sprinkle baking soda – baking soda is your friend for grease stains! Baking soda is extremely absorbent, and sprinkling just a handful over the area of the stain can help attract and lift the grease to the surface. Leave baking soda over a stain for twenty minutes to give it time to fully soak it up; then, vacuum it up, blotting afterwards any remaining residue with an absorbent towel.

How to Clean Couch Cushions + How to Clean Foam Cushions

The best way to clean removable covers of cushions of a couch is to machine wash them, but ONLY if the tag instructions say this is safe. If the cushions do not come with removable covers, then you can try lightly spraying tough stains with vinegar (or mixed solution outlined above), then vacumming the cushions. If the cushions are damp, remove them from the couch and place them in an open space until they are completely dried off. 

How to Wash Couch Cushion Foam

Sometimes, the spill will seep deep into crevices, past the upholsterey lining. In this instance, the best approach is to remove the upholstery and get to the stain in the foam itself. To wash the foam inside the cushions by hand, use the vinegar solution (about a half a cup of water with a few drops of vinegar) and apply the solution with a clean cloth; blot the area of dirt very, very lightly, then leave out in an airy place to completely dry. If the upholstery cover is not removable, simply apply these steps to the upholstery itself.

Can You Use a Carpet Cleaner On a Couch?

Yes, you can use a  carpet cleaner on a couch. Carpet shampooers apply to upholstery, including sofas. Just make sure the cleaner you are using is safe for your particular sofa – the easiest way to do this is by cross-checking the cleaning codes on the tag attached to the sofa.

A Note On Deep Cleaning Upholstery

Sometimes, the best of home efforts won't cut it. If you spilled an entire glass of wine on a fabric couch, if a pet had quite the (smelly) accident on a fabric couch or something else horrifying has got the best of a fabric couch, you may want to take it in to a professional cleaner. Letting the pros handle the stain will cost more but will take the stress off and ensure your sofa is getting the best possible treatment.

Understanding Upholstery Fabric Cleaning Codes

Do you have a stain on your sofa? A dirt spot on your chair? It can be tricky to figure out the best course of action for dirt and stains on upholstery. Luckily, most decorator fabrics and upholstery pieces are labeled with a cleaning code and, once you understand the codes, you can tackle most mild cleaning jobs yourself. We’re going to take a look at those cleaning codes as well as some best practices for great looking, long-lasting upholstery.

The first thing to do if you have a stain on your upholstery is to look for the fabric’s cleaning code. If the piece is store-bought, the code should be on the tag. If it’s been reupholstered, check with the fabric manufacturer. At Sailrite®, we list the fabric codes (or other care and cleaning instructions) on each fabric’s product page.

Once you’ve determined how to clean your fabric, it’s always a good idea to pre-test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous spot on the fabric. This way you can make sure the cleaner works and doesn’t leave a spot or cause the colors to bleed. If you’re in doubt about how to proceed, it’s usually best to call a professional upholstery cleaner.