Upholstery can take more abuse than you might think, and in many cases, it will need more help than just vacuuming to look its best. Upholstery fabrics can be made of several different materials, so you need to do some research to determine which cleaning solution will work best for your upholstery and its fabric type. With that said, there are some general rules of thumb when it comes to deep cleaning upholstery that you should always follow when tackling this household chore. If you follow these fabulous tips, your upholstery will look fantastic!
Make your own carpet cleaner
There are a few simple ingredients you can use to make your own carpet cleaner to remove stains and freshen up your space. You’ll only need 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, and 2 cups warm water. Mix together in a spray bottle and clean away!
Deep clean your sofa
The easiest way to clean your upholstery is to remove it from where it is, carry it outside, and hose it down. If you have a clean-looking plastic slipcover on your sofa, put that on before you spray. Water plus a slipcover keeps cleanup easier, as does choosing an outdoor setting with a concrete surface that can be hosed down. Preferably a shady spot out of direct sunlight. Work from back to front so as not to let water-heavy spots dry while you move forward—this will get your piece cleaner faster and with less effort on your part!
Clean fabric chairs
Before cleaning your upholstery chairs, use the Lola® Rola Sticky Mop™ with 4-Piece Handle to dust, remove hair or any other dirt particles. Doing this will ensure these particles are not accidentally stirred up during the deep cleaning process.
Make time for hardwood floors
If you have hardwood floors, grab a Lola® Eco-Friendly All Natural Corn Broom that can get into corners, under dressers, and other areas where dust mops have a difficult time reaching. Plus, they give your floors that fresh-swept look.
Don't forget your area rugs
Area rugs are pretty easy to clean: just brush them out regularly. If you want to give them a deeper cleaning, put one in your washing machine using mild detergent. If a stain persists, try applying some rubbing alcohol after giving it a good wash and dry first.
Get rid of mildew smell
Did you know that all you need to do to remove that musty, mildew smell on your upholstery is to mix 1 part of water to 1 part of lemon juice? You only need to rub the surface of your upholstery with a clean and damp cloth soaked in lemon and water solution. Lemon has components that can neutralize the nasty odors and leave a fresh scent. And that’s it! Let your furniture air dry before putting back in place. This technique works on curtains as well—just make sure they don’t touch carpeting or wood floors, where dampness could be dangerous or cause mold growth.
Think of it this way—when you deep clean your upholstery, you are not just 'cleaning' it but also preserving it. The fabrics used in creating sofas and chairs are vulnerable to damage from everyday use. When we think of preserving items, a lot of us jump to how we can seal them off or protect them from their surroundings—but there’s another way. By regularly deep cleaning your upholstered furniture items, you are keeping bacteria and dust mites at bay—the biggest enemies to your upholstered furniture.
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