Sofas and armchairs are an integral part of the modern home. However, even despite the accuracy of use, any upholstered furniture requires regular cleaning. Over time, the furniture loses its attractive appearance, gathers dust, marks and stains of various origins appear on it.
General Furniture Cleaning Tips
Cleaning the sofa usually involves the use of a vacuum cleaner, but not in all cases it can be used to achieve the desired result. If you need to remove dust from upholstered furniture, soak a gauze in s alt water and attach it to the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. In 1 liter of water is added Art. a spoonful of s alt, then the gauze is dipped into water and left there for 5-7 minutes, after which the excess liquid is squeezed out of it. This method will help to carry out cleaning without resorting to the use of additional equipment. After this procedure, your furniture will be updated, the colors will become more saturated.
Furniture made of velvet and velor material is not allowedclean with a vacuum cleaner, as it can disrupt the appearance of the pile. For such materials, a folk method is used. A large sheet of fabric is taken and soaked in a solution of vinegar and s alt (2 tablespoons of vinegar and s alt per 1 liter of liquid). Smooth out the fabric on the sofa to knock it out. When the cloth becomes dirty, rinse in water and wet again with the solution. Repeat these steps until the fabric is no longer dirty.
Sofa Cleaner
If you need to remove a little dirt or greasy, a warm soapy solution is suitable, which should be soaked in a cotton napkin. Wiping with a napkin is done strictly in one direction. In addition, to clean the sofas, you can use a special chemical agent that easily foams. After applying the foam to the sofa, wait until it is completely dry, then use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess dry dirt.
Cleaning of sofas at home is carried out using various means and methods, depending on the type of furniture upholstery material. So be sure to read the labels when buying sofas, and carefully read the instructions for use of the cleaning products you want to use.
Using upholstery cleaners
If you need to clean a sofa made of a material that allows the use of water and detergents, follow this sequence of actions:
- Machine wash the sofa cushion covers if they are removable. Before that, read the instructions, as certain types of fabrics deteriorate when the wrong washing mode is selected. For covers, the delicate wash cycle is best, using gentle detergents.
- It is better to cover the floor near the sofa with polyethylene or newspapers to avoid contamination.
- Test the detergent on a small piece of fabric to see if it will ruin it.
- The cleaner is applied first to the back of the sofa, then to the armrests, then to the seat, and lastly to the underside. Distribute the product in small portions, approximately 40 x 40 cm in size, and rub with a brush for about 30 seconds. This is just enough time for the product to penetrate the fabric enough to remove dirt, but it will not be difficult to dry the sofa.
- Check if there are any stains left on the sofa. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove detergent residue. Sometimes it is advised not to vacuum, but to leave the furniture in this state until it dries completely on its own.
Types of upholstery for upholstered furniture
Tapestry
The sofa of this type of upholstery is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Wet cleaning may warp the material, causing it to lose color vibrancy.
Flock and velor
If you have cleaned carpets made of flock before, you know that dirt is easily removed from this material when using a microfiber cloth dipped in soapy water. Clean only in the direction of the pile. At the end, you only need to get wetupholstered with a white cotton towel. Sofa cleaning is carried out after preliminary disposal of dust. For these purposes, use a special brush. This type of upholstery can also be cleaned with a steam generator.
Nubuk and suede
If your sofa is made of suede or nubuck, take a special brush for cleaning. Remove dust beforehand. Rubber villi easily penetrate into contaminated places and clean upholstered furniture well. In addition, such furniture can be steamed gently.
Leather and leatherette
Sofas made of leather are easy to care for. They also don't tend to accumulate dust. However, keep in mind that the skin should not be wetted too much. Get a chemical cleanser specifically designed for leather. A folk recipe for cleaning leather sofas is also suitable. Wipe down the upholstery and apply whipped egg white on it. This procedure will refresh the wiped areas on the skin and give it shine. It should be noted that cleaning leather sofas does not allow the use of ordinary household chemicals, as well as steam cleaners.
Helpful tips
Home cleaning of sofas each of the presented methods involves testing the product on a small area of upholstery. After drying, make sure that there are no marks or unexpected results. Stains must be removed from the edge to the center. This prevents divorce. The dose should be increased gradually. Do not under any circumstances useseveral resources together. This can damage the upholstery of your sofa. If there is a long-dried stain on the sofa that cannot be removed using the methods described above, use a stain remover, but strictly follow the instructions for use.
Dry cleaning of sofas
No matter how hard the housewives try and try, but cleaning the sofa at home does not always make it possible to completely get rid of all the dirt. Therefore, it is recommended at least once a year to give your furniture into the hands of professionals who provide comprehensive services for dry and wet cleaning of sofas at home, using special chemicals. Such procedures will not only restore the appearance of your furniture, but also significantly increase its service life.
