How to Clean Upholstered Chairs

Your beautiful, upholstered chairs will grow increasingly filthy with continued use. Stains, dust, dirt, pet dander, dust mites and other allergens combine to make your furniture look discolored and dirty.

Particles can land on your upholstery even when the furniture is rarely used, so regular cleaning is essential. How can you clean upholstered chairs thoroughly without damaging the fabric?

How Often Should You Clean Upholstered Chairs?

As dust and dust mites, dirt and other particles accumulate on your upholstered chairs, these furnishings will look dirtier over time if they are not cleaned regularly.

As a rule of thumb, the upholstery should be vacuumed monthly. This will keep the particles from building up and help to improve indoor air quality.

Deep cleaning the chairs is recommended every six to 12 months. However, stains should be treated as soon as possible.

What Is the Best Way to Clean Upholstery on a Chair?

The best way to clean an upholstered chair monthly is by vacuuming all surfaces. Before deep cleaning upholstery, read the furniture label. You may see codes on the label like S, W, SW or X. What do these codes mean?

Before using any water or cleaning product on upholstery, test a small, hidden area to ensure that no damage will be done.

How Do I Clean Upholstery Myself?

The first step to take when cleaning upholstery at home is to read the label to determine the proper care instructions. You’ll find customized instructions that are tailored to your piece of furniture. Generally, these are the steps to clean upholstery:

Remove & Machine Wash

Remove the upholstery fabric from the cushions. If it is safe to do so, machine wash the fabric based on the manufacturer’s instructions for water temperature and detergent.

Brush & Vacuum

For upholstery that cannot be washed in the machine, use a soft brush to loosen the small particles embedded in the fabric. Then, vacuum the material using a handheld attachment.

Test & Clean

According to the furniture label, use water or a solvent to clean the fabric. Test a small area of the fabric before cleaning the furniture.

Blot & Clean

Clean small areas of the fabric. Blot each area with a microfiber cloth to remove as much moisture as possible before moving on to another section.

Use a Steamer

If the furniture needs to be deep cleaned, a handheld steamer may be used. However, this can only be used if the fabric can safely be cleaned with water.

Dry with a Fan

The fabric will still be damp. Use a box fan or overhead fan to speed up the drying process.

What Should Not Be Done When Cleaning Upholstered Furniture?

When cleaning your upholstered furniture, do not start cleaning it until you have read the label. In addition, don’t clean a wide swath of fabric until you’ve tested a discreet area using your chosen method. You also should not use excessive moisture or allow the moisture to sit on the furniture for an extended period of time.

Tips to Keep Your Upholstered Chair Clean Longer

• Vacuum the upholstery regularly.
• Avoid letting pets on the furniture
• Don’t eat or drink on the furniture
• Clean your house regularly, including ceiling fan blades.
• Change air filters as scheduled.
• Cover furniture if will not be used for a while.

Watch this video for easy tips on how to make your upholstered chairs spotless and clean:

FAQs

What Is the Best Homemade Upholstery Cleaner?

The best homemade upholstery cleaner depends on the care instructions on the fabric label.

For spot cleaning, you may be able to use diluted and distilled white vinegar on fabric that is safe to clean with water. Blot the spots with a lightly damp cloth. If you are dealing with an oil-based mess, consider using a solvent to break down the spot.

Other cleaning solutions are also effective. For example, you can add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Stir the mixture until the water is sudsy. If you need to deodorize fabric, sprinkle baking soda on it. Allow the powder to sit on the fabric undisturbed for at least 15 minutes. Then, vacuum the upholstery.

How Do You Deep Clean Upholstery Yourself?

For many types of upholstery, a steam cleaner can be used for deep cleaning. Do not use a handheld attachment for a carpet cleaner as this uses too much moisture. If your furniture is stained, spot clean the fabric first by following the manufacturer’s care instructions.

How to Make Upholstery White Again?

To make white fabric white again, you must first brush and vacuum the material to remove the debris.

Both white vinegar and baking soda can be used on many fabric types. Sprinkle baking soda lightly on the fabric. Then, lightly mist the fabric with diluted vinegar. After several minutes, use a soft brush to lightly agitate the fibers.

Then, lightly mist the fabric with clean water. Use a clean microfiber cloth to blot up the moisture and residue. You may need to change the cloth periodically. Use a dry cloth to absorb lingering moisture, and let the fabric air dry under a fan. Before using this method, test a hidden area of the upholstery for damage.

Your upholstered chairs are only some of the many furnishings in your home that require special care and regular cleaning. With professional house cleaning services from Cleanzen, you can keep your home and its furnishings in great shape. Learn more about our services by contacting our team today.