What Is The Best Fabric Upholstery Cleaner?

What Is The Best Fabric Upholstery Cleaner?

By : Georgia
Does your fabric upholstery look worn out and discoloured and needs a good sprucing up? Your fabric upholstery needs a good monthly or bi-monthly deep clean, as germs, bacteria, allergens and dust mites can collect in the inner corners. These harmful germs and allergens can cause respiratory problems and trigger symptoms like asthma and bronchitis. Thus, it is a good idea to adopt a cleaning routine to remove dirt and dust from your upholstery and keep it stain-free and fresh as well. But instead of spending money on store-bought cleaners, you can use natural ingredients in your pantry. These natural fabric upholstery cleaners will not only remove dirt and stains but are also sustainable and eco-friendly and will not leave any toxic residue in your home. Here are some of the best fabric upholstery cleaners you will find in your pantry and how to use them: Which Is The Best Fabric Upholstery Cleaner 

Check The Care Label On Your Fabric Upholstery

Before you start this process, vacate cleaning Perth professionals recommend that you check the care label of your fabric upholstery. This care label will tell you what fabric your upholstery is made from and what cleaning solutions are safe to use on it. This care label is generally located below a cushion cover or at the bottom of the sofa or chair and consists of 4 different instructions:
  • W-based cleaner: Only water solvents can be used to clean your fabric upholstery
  • S-based cleaner: Use only dry solvents for this label
  • W/S-based cleaner: Either water or dry solvents work well on this fabric upholstery
  • X-based cleaner: Let professional bond cleaners in Perth handle this kind of fabric upholstery
Tip: If you are vacating your property soon and need to clean your upholstery to get your bond back, use these tips.

Vacuum Your Upholstery To Remove Loose Dust And Dirt

Once you have determined your care label and read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your fabric upholstery, you can start the process. But before you start spraying or wiping cleaning solutions onto your fabric upholstery to remove built-up dirt and oil, it is important to vacuum the loose dust and dirt to keep your indoor air quality clean. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove dust from all corners of your upholstery, and make sure you remove the cushions and vacuum underneath this area and behind your furniture. This will ensure you are not grinding the dirt back in when you use a cleaning solution on the surface. Tip: Here are some more tips to make your home allergy-proof.

Make Your DIY Upholstery Cleaning Solution

Next, make your fabric upholstery cleaner using natural ingredients that are cost-effective. To make this DIY cleaner, bond cleaning professionals in Perth recommend mixing ½ cup of rubbing alcohol with ½ cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. The acetic acid in white vinegar will loosen grease and oil stains, while the rubbing alcohol will remove stubborn dirt and brighten your fabrics. Shake this mixture in a spray bottle well and then spray it on a microfiber cloth. Next, dab the surface of your fabric upholstery with the cloth and be careful not to oversaturate it. Using too much water or cleaning solution can lead to the growth of mould on your fabric upholstery which is difficult to get out and can cause severe health risks.

Remove The Cleaning Solution And Let The Fabric Dry

After about 15-20 minutes, use a clean microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush to remove the solution. Bond cleaners in Perth recommend using soft, gentle circular motions to remove the solution so you do not damage the fabric. Once you have removed the solution, vacuum-dry the area or let it air dry naturally.

Use Baking Soda To Get Rid Of Foul Odours

If your fabric upholstery still has a foul odour after you have cleaned it with the above solution, you should use baking soda. Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda over your fabric upholstery and leave it for 8 hours. This will give the alkaline baking soda time to absorb all the oil and grease smells and help neutralise them. Once the foul smell has gone, use a vacuum or a microfiber cloth to remove the baking soda. Tip: Here are some more tips on how to keep your upholstery stain and odour free.

Blot the Stain Instead of Rubbing

It is important to deal with upholstery stubborn stains carefully. Harsh scrubbing or rubbing the stain can cause discolouration or damage the fabric. Instead, blot the stain with a damp cloth or paper towel. Rubbing can spread the stain and cause permanent damage while blotting helps absorb the spill or stain without disrupting delicate fibres. With this cleaning method, you can reduce the risk of setting the grime and increase the chances of removing it from your couch and other delicate upholstery furniture.

Hydrogen Peroxide is a Great Upholstery Cleaner

Believe it or not! Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most effective cleaning agents for upholstered furniture. The stain-fighting and disinfectant properties make hydrogen peroxide perfect for tackling coffee stains, food spills and pet stains without causing discolouration. It can also help you banish bad odours from your fabric furniture. Make sure you use 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and warm water on the affected area. Leave it for 10 minutes and blot the stain using a clean cloth. Be sure you Air dry the surface and restore the shine and freshness of your delicate furniture. Some Additional Tips
  • Add lemon or lavender essential oils to your DIY fabric cleaner to make it smell good.
  • If you do not have rubbing alcohol, you can use laundry detergent in its place but make sure you whisk it and only use the soap suds on your fabric upholstery.
  • Always test your DIY cleaner on a hidden part of your upholstery to ensure it will not discolour or damage the fabric.

Conclusion

It is important, thus, to clean and maintain your fabric upholstery regularly to remove loose dust and dirt and to wipe up stains and spills as soon as possible. The above fabric upholstery cleaner is natural and effective, will not damage the surface, and will keep your home free from harmful toxic residues.