We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Best Way to Clean Upholstery?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 25,504
Share

As with many projects, the best way to clean upholstery involves some specific steps to ensure the job is done efficiently and thoroughly. Here are some simple guidelines to help you clean upholstery around your home without creating a huge project for yourself.

First, there is a general cleaning method that will help keep your upholstery looking nice, whether it is leather or some sort of fabric. Using the furniture attachment on your vacuum cleaner, remove dust and other surface dirt from the upholstery on a regular basis. This will help make the deeper cleaning procedures much easier, as there will simply be fewer elements that need removing. Use the vacuum on your upholstery at least once a week.

For stains from spills and other sources, the type of upholstery on the piece that you want to clean will often determine the method of cleaning. To clean upholstery that is leather or vinyl, you can often use a spray on agent that is recommended by the manufacturer. Generally, these do not have to dry or wait more than a moment or two before you remove them with a clean cloth. However, when it comes to cleaning fabric upholstery, there is often the need to not only use a recommended product, but also to allow it to set and sink into the weave before you remove the cleaning agent.

In some cases, the product will need to dry into a powder that you then vacuum from the upholstery. It is always a good idea to try the cleaning agent on an inconspicuous section of the upholstered piece before you begin any in depth cleaning. Make sure the product you select does not remove the color or otherwise damage the weave of the fabric before doing an overall cleaning.

If the problem is more along the lines of a sticky substance on the upholstery, you can always try to freeze the substance and then peel it off. For example, chewing gum on leather upholstery can be a big issue. Take an ice cube and wrap it in a thin piece of material and apply it directly to the chewing gum for a few moments. As the chewing gum hardens all the way through, it will be easier to peel away from the upholstery. You can also often use this same method to clean upholstery fabric as well.

Keep in mind that the sooner a stain or foreign matter is removed from the upholstery, the better your chances of being able to clean upholstery leather and fabric thoroughly. Also, make sure you dry the upholstery thoroughly after you clean upholstery pieces. Even a small amount of residual moisture can lead to mold and mildew, ruining a beautiful piece and making it impossible to every restore the item. When you clean upholstery, always use a recommended product, check it for colorfast performance and always make sure the upholstery is thoroughly dried. In return, your upholstered pieces will look fresh and new for many years.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon81539 — On May 02, 2010

@ #1: Try some Urine B Gone. No other copies, this product only!

By anon53573 — On Nov 22, 2009

An upholstery cleaning company in Greenwich, Ct. recommends "Bac-out." This is an all natural ezyme cleaner. That will digest both stain and odor. If you happen to live in Fairfield County, Ct. You can have it delivered to your home/office free of charge!

By onlyme — On Jun 21, 2009

my sofa is a fabric and about 9 years old. it is in very good condition. i clean it often by vacuuming it and wiping it down with a wash rag and lysol det. one of my sofas has a terrible odor which seems to be getting worse. it is in the back and top part of it. unfortunately my cat did vomit on that location and i immediately cleaned it. but i now suspect that fluid most likely went into the cushion underneath. the fabric is not removable. is there anything i can do about this. i was going to soak it but figured it would most likely cause mold underneath.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-best-way-to-clean-upholstery.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.