28

June
2017

Upholding your Upholstery

June 28th, 2017 | by Angelo |    0   

If you have a cherished investment piece or hand-me-down you want to preserve, upholstery cleaning is a must. Fabric is always where the wear and tear will really show when it comes to furniture. However, it’s not always necessary to bring in a professional upholstery cleaner. For basic maintenance, all it takes is 15 minutes once a season (three or four months).

What You’ll Need

The tools are simple. You’ll need a vacuum, some clean white cloths, a can of compressed air, a clear and gentle dish soap, a horsehair upholstery brush, and a small bucket. If there is staining, try some Capture Soil Release Pre-Mist and Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaner. Remember, if the piece is an heirloom or really expensive, it’s always best to consult a professional upholstery cleaner.

5 Minutes of Vacuuming

Using an upholstery attachment, vacuum the fabric using short strokes, starting at the top and working toward the bottom. If you are working with delicate fabrics, like silk or linen, set the suction to low.

Then move from the left, overlapping the previous strokes. This is especially important for materials that really hold dirt, like chenille, suede, velvet, and corduroy. Use the crevice nozzle to vacuum under cushions and around seams (wrap the nozzle in pantyhose if you’re worried about sucking up coins and the like). Finally, use the compressed air to blast dirt from the tufting and button nooks.

5 Minutes of Spot Removing

Stains on fabrics like linen, cotton, jacquard, and polyester-acrylic blends can be treated with the Capture Soil Release Pre-Mist (but be sure to perform a spot test first). Sprinkle on enough Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaner to cover the stain. Gently rub the powder into the fabric with a dry cloth, then vacuum. Repeat if needed.

If the stain persists after two rounds, leave it alone. At this point, it’s best to call in a professional. For stains on leather and vinyl, spray Pledge on a cloth and gently rub the area. Wipe with a dry cloth so no residue remains. Avoid any cleaners containing silicone—this can close up the pores on leather and vinyl, causing it to tighten and potentially crack over time.

5 Minutes of Soaping

Prepare a solution consisting of a half teaspoon of dish soap in a small bucket. Mix it to create lots of suds. Dip a soft upholstery brush in the suds only. Do not submerge the brush. Sweep the brush across the upholstery in small sections with a light touch. Imagine you’re frosting a cake. Remember, less is more because you don’t want to soak the fabric.

After the soaping is finished, wipe the fabric with a clean, damp cloth. Let the upholstery dry completely before using it. If you want to wash the other side of the cushions, do it the next day, when the first side is fully dry.

Final Notes

Before beginning, look for a label beneath a cushion or on the underside of the furniture. Like clothes, furniture often has a code that tell you about the proper care. Sudsing is for pieces of furniture with labels codes W or WS. If the label only says S, vacuum and spot-clean, but skip the sudsing—water is no good on your upholstery. If you see an X, vacuum only, and contact a professional for deep cleaning.

If you’re unsure of how to care for your upholstery, consider calling Angelo’s FabriClean. Our technicians always perform a fabric test to determine the proper way to clean your upholstery. We also take fabric construction, fibre content, and dye stability into consideration before implementing the safest, most effective cleaning method.

To learn more about upholstery cleaning at Angelo’s FabriClean, please go to: https://inhomecleaning.ca/upholstery-cleaning