You spent a lot of money on your sofa. But how much time do you spend keeping the upholstery clean?
Maintaining upholstered furniture isn’t as difficult as you might think. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the basics of upholstery cleaning and maintenance.
Do You Have the Right Fabric?
Not every fabric is right for every household. For example, families that have dogs or cats should look for fabrics that are tightly woven without too much texture. Synthetic fabrics are good for furniture in heavily-used areas.
Guard Against Spills
Part of this job was already done for you when the fabric went through manufacturing, a process that typically involves treating upholstery with water and soil repellants and mildew inhibitors.
Still, this doesn’t mean you can get away with being less-than-vigilant when dealing with stains. Make sure you promptly clean up any spills or stains. Blot spills immediately with a clean towel.
Do not rub, just blot gently. It may be enough to get the stain out entirely, particularly when working with pre-treated fabric.
But before you use any products for spot cleaning, test it on an inconspicuous part of the furniture, and check the manufacturer’s instructions to learn if the fabric requires a water-based or solvent-based product.
Your best bet is a mild cleaning product, applied with a soft brush in a circular motion, then vacuumed dry.
Flip Your Cushions
One of the simplest ways to maintain your upholstery is to flip over your cushions every so often, to create an even distribution of wear and tear and less chance of indentations forming.
Fluff your cushions when you clean them, and if possible, swap cushions from one part of the sofa to the other, as some seats get more usage than others.
Vacuum Your Upholstery
Upholstery cleaning should involve running a vacuum over your furniture once a week to remove soil and prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the fabric. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to whisk away dirt.
Keep Your Furniture Out of the Sun
Excessive sun exposure can damage your upholstery, causing it to fade and fray. Position your furniture so it’s not exposed to the sun for too long.
It’s also a good idea to keep your home well ventilated to prevent damage from smoke or cooking fumes. This will protect your upholstery from damage and keep it from absorbing odors.
Consult a Professional Upholstery Cleaning Service
No matter how diligent you are at following the steps we laid out here, it never hurts to have a professional upholstery cleaning service take a look at your furniture every few years.
Upholstery Cleaning in San Diego
Your upholstery might look clean, but things like mold, pests, and bacteria can worm their way into the fabric and create unpleasant odors and health risks.
That sounds unpleasant, but there’s an easy, affordable solution with Under the Rug Floorcare. Contact us today to learn more about our upholstery cleaning service.
