Summer is around the corner, and it’s the time when most people begin transforming their homes to be more stylish and comfortable. Upholstery cleaning is an essential part of a general cleaning checklist. Upholstered pieces like couches, armchairs, and headboards need ample attention since they easily gather dust and mites. This is also why upholstery cleaning should be done regularly.
However, upholstery cleaning can be daunting. Most homeowners don’t know where to start — especially if they don’t have the right tools for cleaning. It’s not wise to wing it and do things on your own because you could cause accidental damage to your furniture. If you’re on a summer cleaning spree, then read more to learn about the importance of upholstery cleaning and some good practices.
Why Furniture & Upholstery Cleaning Is Important
Before jumping right into steam cleaning the upholstery or learning how to steam clean a couch, it’s important to know the importance of upholstery cleaning in your household.
1. Gets Rid of Microscopic Objects
You never know what your furniture holds unless you use a microscope to examine it — and no one has the time for that. This is where upholstery cleaning becomes particularly important. Dust, dirt, bacteria, and allergens can easily get trapped within the fibers of your chairs, couches, and other upholstered items.
When you’re sitting on top of these pieces of furniture, dust and allergens are released for you to inhale. This will affect air quality and may even cause lung problems. This is especially bad for people with asthma.
These microscopic objects are deep-seated in the furniture, and it requires more than just regular cleaning techniques to get rid of them.
2. Eliminates Mold and Mites
Vacuuming cannot remove mold or mites that are creating their own ecosystem within your couch. This is especially true for indoor furniture. Food and other particles that cause mold will inevitably fall in the cracks of your furniture. These can develop into mold and cause mites to pay a visit.
Pests will continue to grow within your furniture if you do not perform regular upholstery cleaning. They will also cause bad odors that can only be eliminated through a reliable couch cleaning service.
3. Maintains the Appearance of Furniture
No matter how hard you try to maintain your furniture, it will eventually be exposed to wear and tear. Stains and dirt will surface, and regular vacuuming will not do the trick anymore. Without upholstery cleaning, your furniture might start to look worn and dull. The only solution is a thorough cleaning.
Best Ways To Clean Furniture & Upholstery
Now that you know the importance of upholstery cleaning, it’s time to learn the best ways to clean your furniture and upholstery.
1. Know Your Fabric
Determining the type of fabric your furniture has will prevent it from getting damaged in the process of cleaning. Some cleaning items that work well for some fabrics may damage others. It’s better to inspect the kind of upholstery fabric you have before cleaning — it could be linen, wool, acetate, or perhaps polyester, among others.
Various cleaning methods suit these different kinds of fabric. If you are unsure how to determine the kind of upholstery fabric you have, contact a cleaning service to do the job for you. There are codes printed on the fabric’s tag that your cleaners can figure out immediately.
2. Use Baby Wipes
In case of accidental spills and unavoidable dirt on your couch, it’s better to resort to baby wipes first before calling a professional to clean everything. This is a DIY hack that most homeowners use to clean dirt, grease, and grime instantly. Moreover, this will prevent stains from becoming permanent. Note that this tip works best for fabrics such as cotton, polyester, or leather. Again, know your fabric first before using any kind of cleaning material.
Baby wipes can also prevent mold from developing since they contain only a bit of moisture as compared to water and soap mixture. Make sure to keep a pack near you to clean any dirt or spill instantly. Baby wipes are the key to spot or targeted cleaning.
3. Vacuuming Can Help
Before you even think about using other remedies or applying liquid detergents to your furniture, try using a handheld vacuum first to remove loose dirt and dust within your sofa. Doing this will also help you discover some hidden stains that may have been on your couch for too long.
4. Try Baking Soda
Baking soda is not only used for cooking and baking but also for cleaning! Spraying a baking soda solution on upholstered furniture can help remove stains and eliminate foul odors from your couch. It’s also one of the most accessible cleaning materials since you can easily get it from your cupboard.
Mix equal parts of water and baking soda in a large bowl. Spray the solution on the stained area of the furniture. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the stain has been fully absorbed by the solution, vacuum the spot. Use the brush attachment of your vacuum for this purpose. However, before performing this remedy, test a small portion of the furniture and see if baking soda can dull or affect its color, quality, and texture.
5. Do Not Leave Your Furniture Wet
If you spill water on your upholstered couch, do not let the wet spot sit for too long. Make sure you wipe it with a soft towel gently. You may also allow the towel to soak up all the moisture without harshly wiping down your couch. Use recommended cleaning solutions if you have any. After using the said solutions, allow the towel to absorb the wetness of the couch.
Allowing your couch to stay wet throughout the day will cause mold development and foul odors. Always keep a furniture towel around to wipe wet portions.
6. Air Dry All the Way
Air drying your upholstery in the morning or overnight may remove any foul odors that have deeply set in. If a large portion of your furniture is damp, this is the best solution to ensure that mold and microorganisms do not thrive. You may need to get some help when air drying since pieces of furniture are heavy to lift.
Contact the Bailey Boys
Your best bet for upholstery cleaning for the upcoming summer is to contact a reliable company to do the job for you, such as the Bailey Boys Services. Upholstery cleaning should not be taken lightly since furniture can be expensive and bulky. You wouldn’t want to damage it with improper maintenance. Contact us now and complete your summer cleanup with our furniture cleaning services!
