Tips for Keeping Upholstery Fresh
Posted on 24/07/2024
When it comes to keeping your furniture looking, smelling, and feeling fresh, proper upholstery care is essential. Upholstered furniture can become soiled quickly if it isn't properly cared for. Dirt, grime, body oils, dust mites, and other contaminants can all affect the life of your upholstered furniture. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that you can follow to keep your upholstery clean andlooking great for years to come.
1. Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming is the best way to get rid of most dirt and debris that accumulates in upholstered fabric. Vacuuming helps prevent dirt from settling into fabrics and making it harder to remove. Vacuuming also helps remove dust mites, pet hair, crumbs, and allergens from the fabric. Make sure to use a small attachment on your vacuum in order to reach all of the crevices in your upholstered furniture pieces. For best results, vacuum your furniture at least once a week.
2. Spot Clean Stains Immediately
Time is of the essence when it comes to removing stains from upholstery fabrics. It's important to address spills or stains as soon as they occur in order to minimize staining or discoloration from setting into the fabric. When dealing with spills/stains on upholstery fabrics:
- Blot (never rub) the stain using a clean white cloth
- Use a mild detergent mixed with warm water to gently scrub away the stain
- Rinse with clean water and blot until dry
It's also important to test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before using it on large stained areas of your furniture pieces.
3. Use Protective Covers
If you have pets or young kids in the house, protective covers are a great way to prevent messes from occurring in the first place. Slipcovers act like a barrier between skin and fabric, preventing oil and sweat from seeping into the fibers of furniture pieces. They also provide extra protection against pet fur and claws which could damage fabric surfaces overtime.Additionally, slipcovers come off easily for laundering in a washing machine making them more hygienic than traditional upholstery fabrics which require professional cleaning methods.
4. Let Furniture Pieces Air Out
To reduce odors naturally, let air circulate around upholstered pieces by opening windows and moving curtains aside during sunny days. This technique also helps projects color fading caused by direct sunlight exposure as well as moisture damage caused by excessive humidity levels in the home environment.
5. Professional Cleaning Services For best results it is recommended that you take advantage of professional cleaning services every 1-2 years for heavily used items such as couches or chairs; or every 5-7 years for less used items such as ottomans or accent chairs As professionals have access to special cleaning solutions that aren't available in stores regular household cleansers can strip colors from fabrics or leave chemical residue behind which can be harmful over time.
Keeping your upholstery looking its best involves minimal effort and commitment if done correctly. You don't need any fancy tools or expensive products just regular maintenance vigilance and attention. After all taking good care of your furniture will ensure that you'll enjoy it for years to come.
