Caring For Upholstery Fabrics

You’ve bought your first furniture set and now you need to take care of it. Having a sofa is great and definitely adds to the beauty and atmosphere of your home, but you also need to know how to clean it and take care of it properly, otherwise you will have a grungy, tattered piece of furniture squatting in the middle of your living room before long. There are several simple steps that you can easily follow to make sure that your beautiful, comfortable couch will look great and last long enough for everyone to enjoy.

Basically, you just have to remember two general rules for cleaning upholstery. Since loose dirt and stains are the most common factors for soiling your furniture, learning how to deal with them will save you a lot of time and money later in the future. Cleaning up loose dirt can easily be done by vacuuming or just brushing away the dirt. You have to do this as soon as possible, though, before the dirt gets embedded in the fabric. As for cleaning up stains and spills, you can use a dry cloth to soak up and wipe away the liquid.

The best way to clean up your upholstery, however, is to first learn the cleaning codes. Each and every fabric has its own specialized cleaning method, so make sure you know about them. Look for the cleaning codes on one of the attached tags on your furniture, as they will tell you how to properly clean your upholstery. If you can’t find the code, try cleaning a little spot in an inconspicuous area of the furniture to test for compatibility. There are four cleaning codes that are currently used by upholstery manufacturers. I will tell you about them, as well as the recommended procedures related to each code.

W – Vacuuming and light dusting are recommended. Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam from mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply the cleaning agent in a circular motion, using a soft cloth or brush.

S – You can also vacuum or dust lightly. Use water-free cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning solutions for spot cleaning. Be sure to avoid using products with carbon tetrachloride. Use a soft cloth and clean the upholstery in a well-ventilated area. Getting the services of a professional cleaner is also recommended.

WS – This is quite easy, since you can practically use any of the recommended methods above. If using a solvent or dry-cleaning product, be sure to do it in a well-ventilated area. Avoid products with carbon tetrachloride.

X – Clean your furniture by vacuuming and light dusting ONLY. Avoid using liquid cleaning agents of any kind. Using water-based cleaners or solvents may cause shrinking and/or damage the surface appearance of the upholstery.

Try to clean your upholstery at least every month. If you have a futon, try to flip the cushions over at least once a month, and wash the covers at the same time as well. When you use liquid cleaning agents or foam, you can remove the excess foam with a spatula or even a piece of cardboard. And remember to keep the material as dry as possible during cleaning; this will help keep the fabric from shrinking.

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