Cleaning your upholstered chairs is essential to maintain the beauty and hygiene of your home. Whether you have dining chairs, kitchen chairs, office chairs, or antique pieces, keeping them clean is a must. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best methods to clean your upholstered chairs, leaving them looking as good as new.
Materials You'll Need
Before we dive into the cleaning process, gather the necessary materials:
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Vacuum and Upholstery Nozzle: A vacuum with an upholstery attachment helps remove loose dirt, dust, and allergens from your chairs.
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Baking Soda: Ideal for freshening up your upholstery and removing odors.
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White Vinegar: An effective natural cleaner for stains and fabric refreshment.
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Liquid Detergent: You'll need this to create a cleaning solution.
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Microfiber Towels: Gentle and effective for wiping and cleaning upholstery.
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Brush with Soft Bristles (optional): Useful for gentle scrubbing on stubborn stains.
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Steam Cleaner (optional): If you have a steam cleaner, it's an excellent tool for a deep clean.
Cleaning Upholstered Chairs with a Steam Cleaner
If you're lucky enough to have a steam cleaner at your disposal, here's how to use it effectively on your upholstered chairs.
Step 1: Preparations
- If your chair covers are removable, take them off and wash them separately. This ensures a thorough clean.
- Vacuum the chair with a hose and upholstery brush attachment to remove loose dirt and crumbs. Pay attention to corners and crevices.
Step 2: Pre-treat Fabric Stains
- Gently scrub any visible stains with fabric cleaner. This helps to lift individual stains before steam cleaning.
Step 3: Select the Right Steam Cleaner
- Choose a steam cleaner designed for upholstery and fabrics for optimal results.
Step 4: Prepare the Steam Cleaner
- Follow your steam cleaner's dilution instructions for water and cleaning solution.
- Select the appropriate attachment and allow the machine to reach the correct steam temperature.
- Avoid steaming too soon; wait for the machine to produce steam, not just water.
Step 5: Start Steaming
- Work in small sections to ensure even cleaning and faster drying.
- Use rapid strokes, not slow movements, to remove stains effectively.
- For stubborn stains, consider applying a mixture of dish soap and water and gently wiping the spot until it's gone.
Step 6: Allow Drying
- After cleaning, allow your chair to dry completely. Use a fan or open windows for faster drying.
- Ensure the chair is completely dry to prevent mold growth. Vacuum the chair again to remove any remaining residue.
Cleaning Upholstered Chairs Without a Steam Cleaner
If you don't have a steam cleaner, you can still clean your upholstered chairs effectively with this method.
Step 1: Vacuum
- Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment or a soft brush to remove loose dirt and dust. Pay extra attention to corners and edges.
Step 2: Treat Stains
- Identify the type of stains on your chair and use appropriate methods:
- For light stains, mix white vinegar and water or create a paste with baking soda and water.
- For tougher stains, make a solution of warm water and white vinegar and test it on an inconspicuous area.
Step 3: Clean the Upholstery
- Create a mild cleaning solution by combining one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent with one liter of water.
- Gently clean the upholstery from top to bottom, paying attention to nooks and crannies.
Step 4: Rinse
- Wipe the upholstery with a clean, damp cloth to remove any cleaning solution.
- Ensure there's no soapy residue left on the fabric.
Step 5: Dry Properly
- Use paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then allow the chair to air dry indoors or in a shaded outdoor area.
Cleaning your upholstered chairs doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right materials and these step-by-step instructions, you can keep your chairs looking fresh and inviting. Remember, regular maintenance is key to preserving their beauty. If you prefer professional help, you can always find an experienced and affordable cleaner through Homeaglow.
FAQs
For leather upholstery. Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar and put it into a spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the surface of the couch and buff it with a soft cloth. For synthetic upholstery: Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of warm water, and 1/2 tablespoon of liquid dish soap or Castile soap in a spray bottle.
What do professionals use to clean upholstery? ›
Most professional upholstery cleaning services use a process called hot water extraction. Their machine injects hot water and cleaning solution into the fibers of your upholstery to dislodge particles hiding there. Then it all gets sucked up with a powerful vacuum.
What's the best way to clean upholstered chairs? ›
Spray your stain remover and wait for about five minutes. While you wait, mix four parts warm water with one part laundry detergent. Use a rough sponge or a soft bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture to your upholstery. Scrub along the grain of the fabric until you have lifted the dirt and stains.
What should not be done when cleaning upholstered furniture? ›
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to cleaning upholstery is using too much water or soap. Fabric that is over-saturated with water can result in shrinkage or discoloration, so it's important to be judicious when applying moisture.
How do you clean heavily soiled upholstery? ›
If the upholstery can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, mix one-fourth cup of dishwashing liquid and one cup of warm water in a medium bowl. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to create some suds. Dip a sponge into the suds (not the water) and gently scrub the stained areas.
What is the easiest way to clean upholstered furniture? ›
General upholstery stain removal: Start with club soda. Dab it on gently with a clean, white cloth. Two more easy options: a little vinegar (left to sit for about 15 minutes before blotting with clear water) or a solution of mild dish soap and water.
What is the easiest way to clean upholstery? ›
Yes, you can use vinegar to remove stains from upholstery. Make a small batch of a couple of drops of liquid dish soap with equal parts water and vinegar to clean the stain, depending on the type of fabric. Be sure to consult the item's care tag and test the dish soap in an inconspicuous area first.
Does baking soda clean fabric chairs? ›
Baking soda is a jack of all trades. Besides being one of the most effective tools for cleaning couches, upholstery, fabrics, and carpets. Baking soda can be used to clean bathroom tiles, absorb odors from footwear or litter boxes, polish silverware, and even act as an antacid.
How do you clean upholstery that Cannot be washed? ›
If your sofa is allergic to water, one of the best ways to deep clean sofa cushions is by using baking soda. In particular, use it on wet stains. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the area and leave it untouched for 20 to 30 minutes.
How long does it take upholstery to dry after cleaning? ›
Once you're done cleaning the sofa and upholstered chairs, you will need to let them dry. There are a few factors that speed up or slow down dry time, so each case is different, but we recommend waiting 4-6 hours before sitting on your couch or chairs. You can also point a fan at them to help speed up the drying time.
That happens because the cleaner does not match the fabric or the material of the couch, and as a result, the couch material gets harmed. It is always advised to check the cleaner by applying it on a small spot of your couch to check whether it suits the material or the fabric of your couch or not.
Can you use Dawn dish soap to clean upholstery? ›
For fabric upholstery, use ¼ cup of vinegar + ¾ cup of warm water. For synthetic upholstery, use ¾ cup of warm water + 1 tablespoon of gentle dish soap, like Dawn.
What is the best homemade upholstery cleaner solution? ›
Combine one-half cup distilled white vinegar, one teaspoon Castile liquid soap, and one cup of warm water in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean upholstery? ›
We recommend using something like Clorox's Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner & Disinfectant. This product, which is available as both a spray (for fabrics) and a wipe (for hard surfaces), will kill pathogens on both hard and soft surfaces and can eliminate bacteria and viruses like COVID-19 in 30 seconds.
How do professionals clean sofa? ›
For most pieces of furniture, we use specialist upholstery steam cleaning machines with special shampoo and stain removal solutions.
What is the difference between an upholstery cleaner and a steam cleaner? ›
Upholstery cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of fabric furniture, while steam cleaning can refer to the cleaning of many different surfaces such as curtains as well. Upholstery cleaning typically uses a detergent or solvent to clean the surface, while steam cleaning uses heat and water to clean the surface.
Does professional sofa cleaning work? ›
Pros. Gives your couch a deeper clean: A professional sofa cleaning service knows how to get out every last bit of dust, germs, and build-up with the right tools and cleaning products. They can remove stains from your couch, leaving it looking like new.
