Carpet Cleaning Tips & Tricks

All of the tricks it's taken us 40 years to learn!

How to Clean Upholstery: Materials, Steps, and Information from the Pros

clean upholstery

You may clean your carpets regularly, but how often do you clean your upholstery? A quick spray with Febreeze is one thing … an authentic cleaning, however, can made your furniture feel fresh and comfortable. Wouldn’t you rather have a deep clean?

At E & B Carpet, we pride ourselves on being cleaning professionals, and that goes beyond just carpet. These tips will help your upholstery feel clean and comfortable again, too.

Here’s What You’ll Need to Get the Job Done

Before you begin cleaning, it helps to have your supplies ready. You’ll want to have a vacuum nearby with attachments for your chair or sofa, a can of compressed air, a small bucket and gentle, clear dish soap, and a sponge or clean, absorbent cloths for cleaning. You might also need a stain remover designed for upholstery. If you collect these materials first, then the job can go fairly quickly.

Take These Steps to Clean and Remove Stains from Upholstery. 

(1) Vacuum first.

You’d be surprised at what simply vacuuming your upholstery can do! All too often, homeowners neglect this easy task and put up with allergies or smelly furniture as a result. Frequent vacuuming will not only prevent crumbs from settling in, it will also keep the fabric in good shape. Use vacuum attachments to go over the cushions (both sides) and fabric on your furniture. It helps to start at the top of the piece of furniture and vacuum, left to right, until you get to the bottom. If your furniture is made of a delicate fabric like linen, be sure to watch the power on your vacuum. Keep it on low.

Pro tip: If you’ve got tufting on your furniture, use a can of compressed air to clean out the nooks and crannies.

(2) Tackle Stains Before You Clean the Entire Piece.

Next, attack those stains. There are several cleaners on the market designed for upholstery. If you don’t want to use upholstery cleaner that contains a lot of chemicals, you can use a mixture of white vinegar, warm water, and natural liquid soap. Spray or sponge the area and use gentle, circular motions to work out the stain. Repeat if necessary. If, after a couple of attempts, the stain is still there, leave it and contact a professional. Otherwise, you may harm the fabric. If you own leather or vinyl furniture, you can use Pledge and gently wipe the area with a cleaning cloth.

Pro Tip: Try steam! Some stains can be loosened up with a little hot steam. You can use the steam button on your iron to give this a try. Just don’t scorch your fabric!

(3) Take the Time to Do an All-Over Cleaning to Keep Your Furniture Looking New.

Once you’ve paid some attention to the rough spots, give your furniture an all-over cleaning with dish soap and warm water. It only takes about a half a teaspoon of clear dish soap in a bucket of water to work up some suds. When you begin to clean, go easy. You don’t need to scrub it like you would a dirty floor. Just dip an upholstery brush in the soap and go over the fabric lightly. Be sure not to soak the fabric; you really just want a light coating of suds. After that, wipe the soap off with a damp cloth. And wait! Let the furniture dry completely before you use it.

Pro Tip: Some pieces of furniture have cleaning instructions, so be sure to check the label or look up the manufacturer. And, again, call a professional if you have questions!

E & B Carpet Can Clean Your Upholstery Professionally … Just Call!

Our cleaning experts at E&B Carpet can clean your upholstery if you encounter a stain or would just like a thorough cleaning of old furniture. If a piece is an heirloom, be sure to let us know. It’s better to have it cleaned professionally before attempting to clean it yourself. Our tried-and-true cleaning process will make the furniture in your home look and feel brand new! Give us a call if you’d like to schedule an appointment.