Did you just spill wine on your white dining room chair? Is a coffee stain spreading across your couch cushions? Do you just want to refresh your living room furnishings? There are a few details you should consider before you start cleaning your upholstered furniture.
When you are cleaning any type of upholstered furniture, make sure you know what type of upholstery you are trying to clean, how it can be cleaned, what you need to clean it, and when to call a professional.
Dining room furnishings are no strangers to stains, but even those elegant ottomans and other accent pieces in your bedroom or home office can be kept in good condition with regular cleaning. Knowing how and when to clean your upholstered furniture can make a noticeable difference in the longevity of your favourite pieces.
Understanding Your Upholstery
Some of the most common upholstery materials include fabric, leather, and microfibre. Not all those fabric types can be cleaned the same way. Whether you are spring cleaning or spot cleaning, make sure you know which types of upholstery you are working with.
- Fabric includes natural materials like cotton and linen as well as synthetic materials like polyester.
- Leather is a more luxurious option that needs special care to prevent cracking and fading.
- Microfibre is known for its durability and stain resistance but may require specific cleaning techniques.
What Does the Manufacturer’s Label Say?
Your upholstered furniture should have a manufacturer’s label with symbols that specify which cleaning products you can and cannot use. Manufacturer’s labels are usually sewn or ironed onto the bottom of furnishings. You may need to lift or tip your furniture to see the label on the bottom.
There are 4 symbols—which are sometimes also called codes—that you need to know about when it comes to cleaning upholstery:
- W: A W means that you should only use water or water-based cleaners.
- S: An S means that you should only use a solvent-based furniture cleaner. Solvent-based cleaners are often powerful and should always be used with care, but keep in mind that even household products like vinegar are considered solvents. It is often better to consult a professional if your piece’s manufacturer label has an S and you have never used solvents to clean it before.
- W/S: A W and an S together mean that you can use either water or solvent-based cleaners. In this case, you may want to use a water-based cleaner to spot clean your upholstery and get help from professionals for routine cleaning with solvents.
- X: An X means you should not use water or solvents to clean your upholstery. Instead, you should vacuum it when it needs to be cleaned. If it is stained, you should seek professional cleaning services.
With any cleaner, you should always start by spot cleaning with a small amount before using it to clean a large area to make sure it will not damage your upholstery.
Upholstery Maintenance Tips
Upholstery maintenance and cleaning can usually be completed when you are doing your routine house cleaning, and at the same frequency as well. The exception to that rule is for stains, which should be spot cleaned immediately to stop them from spreading and getting worse.
Vacuuming Upholstered Furniture
Vacuuming should be done about once a week, but the exact schedule can depend on who lives in your house and how you use your furnishings.
For example, if you have pets, their fur and dander might be a reason to vacuum more frequently. Households with children—or just homes with frequent mess-makers—might also need to clean and vacuum out the crevices in furniture more frequently.
When you are vacuuming, be sure to use the brush attachment for your vacuum cleaner hose. Do not forget to take off any cushions that can be removed and vacuum them individually as well.
Spot Cleaning Stains Immediately
What gets out a stain? The exact products or solutions you should use can depend on what caused the stain, but the technique is often the same.
Always clean stains as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to remove them. Stains that sit can also penetrate deeper into the upholstery and material below, including the foam layers and other filling materials.
You should always dab stains—never rub or swipe them when you are cleaning them. Dabbing a stain gently helps your cloth absorb the liquid or debris causing the stain without spreading it around or rubbing it in.
Cleaning Other Parts of Your Furnishings
When cleaning your upholstered pieces, keep in mind the parts of the piece that are not upholstered, such as the legs and any accent pieces on the arms or back. Depending on the material they are made of, they may also need to be cleaned carefully, particularly if they are made of wood.
How Do You Deep Clean Upholstered Furniture?
Deep cleaning upholstered pieces is something you generally only need to do during your major house cleaning periods, like spring cleaning, or as needed. Sometimes, deep cleaning upholstery is also necessary for antique pieces or pieces that are being refurbished.
Make sure you have the following items before you begin:
- A water or solvent-based cleaning solution
- A gentle brush
- A microfibre cloth
- A steam cleaner
- A portable or handheld vacuum cleaner
Basic Steps for Deep Cleaning Upholstered Furnishings
Remember that each piece is slightly different, and depending on the level of wear your furnishings have, you may be able to skip some of these steps, such as steam cleaning.
- Remove all the cushions that can be removed.
- Remove any large objects from cracks and crevices, such as pens, TV remotes, or coins.
- Thoroughly vacuum each surface, including the cushions that you have removed.
- Use the appropriate cleaner for your upholstery and a microfibre cloth to gently dab away any minor stains. You can use a brush for stubborn stains, but be careful not to damage the upholstery.
- Use a steam cleaner for particularly stubborn stains.
- Gently clean and wipe all the non-upholstered parts of your piece.
- Inspect your piece for damage and consult a professional for repairs or major cleaning services as needed.
How to Use a Steam Cleaner for Furniture
Generally, a steam cleaner should only be used for stubborn stains. Before using a steam cleaner, you should confirm that the piece you are cleaning has a W symbol on the label, indicating that it can be cleaned with water. Some steam cleaners can also use solvent-based cleaners for pieces that have an S symbol.
Steam cleaning can be very effective for removing tough stains, but you may need to pre-treat your furnishings with fabric shampoo or a soil emulsifier to get the best results. Always follow the instructions included with your steam cleaner to determine the right temperature setting for the upholstery you are cleaning.
Can You Steam Clean Leather?
In general, you should avoid steam cleaning leather. It may be fine to steam clean leather briefly, but applying too much steam or steam that is too hot can cause leather to deform, crack, or become discoloured. Fabric upholstery and microfibre upholstery are both great candidates for steam cleaning.
When Should You Get Upholstery Professionally Cleaned?
You might want to consider professional furniture cleaning services for the following situations:
- When your furnishings are badly stained
- When your furnishings are damaged
- When the manufacturer’s label on your furnishings has an S or W/S symbol and you are not sure which solvents to use
- When the piece is too big or troublesome to clean on your own
- When you are not sure which type of upholstery you have or how to clean it safely
You can visit us at any time for guidance on identifying the type of upholstery you have and recommendations for cleaning and care.
Let’s Talk About Your Furnishings & How to Care for Them
At Birchwood Furniture, we are all about helping Calgarians find and maintain quality pieces for their home furnishings. If you have a question about how to best care for the pieces in your home or you are curious about what some of the best options are for furnishings with low-maintenance requirements, feel free to contact us or visit us in person. We would love to hear from you and offer advice based on our experience and expertise.
