One of the most exciting parts of decorating your home is choosing the furniture. Deciding on the size, shape, and design of pieces for a specific room, and then picking the color schemes and textures of the upholstery, sets the tone for your living space. Once completed, that room becomes as much a reflection of you as it is a place to kick back and relax.
Of course, because you put so much effort into creating the perfect space, you’re going to want to enjoy the fresh look of your new furniture for years to come. Keeping your furniture clean and staying ahead of everyday spills and mishaps is essential, and will add years to each precious piece.
Ahead, we have just the upholstery cleaning tips you need. No matter which type of upholstery you choose for your sofa, chairs, headboard, or pillows, we’ll tell you how to clean it and keep it looking as fresh as it did when it arrived on your doorstep.
Leather Furniture Cleaning
Leather upholstery is the best of all worlds. It looks elegant and luxurious, and can endure rough-and-tumble wear and tear. Because it resists liquids and odors, leather is perfect for an entire household of kids and pets. But it doesn’t come without a little maintenance. Just like your own hands need moisturizing, your leather sofa requires conditioning to keep it in peak sophisticated form. Ask the manufacturer to recommend the proper conditioner, and then once a week, wipe down your leather pieces according to the directions, and then dry them with a cloth. How simple is that?
Removing Stains on Cotton
One of the most popular fabric choices, cotton is exceptionally durable, popular with the hypoallergenic crowd, and comes in myriad colors. It is affordable, although you can find high-end options depending on the thread count. The one challenge with cotton, though, is that it stains easily. Attacking the stain as quickly as possible before it sets is essential. Dab the stain with a dyed-free cloth dipped in soapy water and continue to dab until the stain is no longer visible. Then, blot it dry with a paper towel. As for weekly maintenance, vacuuming the upholstery will keep dirt from building up and ensure your furniture always smells fresh.
How to Clean Linen
Linen is smooth, soft, and 100% natural, making it one of the most comfortable options. Furniture cleaning is easy with linen, especially if you have slipcover furniture, since you can throw the material into the washing machine and the fabric won’t lose its natural luster. The antibacterial nature of linen protects it from mold and mildew, but vacuuming it as much as possible may be your best bet in keeping your linen from accumulating dirt and other debris. Never scrub or rub a stain if one appears, as it will spread the smudge; blot it instead. And for those stubborn marks? Use white vinegar or mild soap.
Cleaning Suede
Timeless and elegant, suede is softer than leather because it’s made of the animal’s underside. The disadvantage of suede, however, is that it is sensitive to moisture; liquid can outright damage it. But all is not lost: The faster you act to absorb the wet area, the better; you may not need a stain-cleaning product if you can apply a clean cloth to it immediately. As for older stains, attack those by rubbing them gently with a pencil eraser. After erasing the stain, use a soft brush to remove any residual debris.
Cleaning Velvet Furniture
Velvet is one of the more high-maintenance fabrics. To keep it clean, you could just send it to a professional, but equipped with our know-how, cleaning your velvet furniture yourself is just as simple. As with most fabrics, you will want to vacuum your velvet pieces regularly and use a cloth to absorb a spill as quickly as possible. Because velvet tends to compress due to its long fibers, steam it regularly. And if you’re deciding between synthetic or cotton velvet, go with synthetic, as stains don’t soak as deep and the color doesn’t fade as much with this material.
Find Your New Furniture at Home Zone Furniture
Choosing the fabric for your furniture is easy when you partner with Home Zone. We have sofas for your living room, headboards for your bedroom, and chairs for your dining room, available in a multitude of fabric options. We also stock plenty of accents — pillows, throws, and shams — to add to each room. What can be more fun than the creative process of designing the spaces of your dreams?
When you’re ready to begin the journey to a more beautiful home, contact us or drop by one of our shops. We’ll discuss how to clean your furniture no matter which upholstery you purchase. We can’t wait to work with you.
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