It’s not a secret that hiring reoccurring home cleaning services is the best way to keep your LA property spotlessly clean. However, once professionals are finished, it’s your responsibility to maintain your furniture and the rest of your property in good condition until your next cleaning appointment. This is especially important if you have pets, children, or smokers living in your home. Even though your furniture appears clean, your upholstery may be hiding more than you believe. To ensure that your upholstery remains in the finest possible condition for a longer period, all you need to do is put in some work and follow the upholstery cleaning and maintenance tips we’ve gathered from cleaning experts.
Before your cleaning spree—declutter!
If you are one of the rare people that made decluttering a regular habit, you can skip this paragraph. If you’re like the rest of us, continue reading – we’ll let you know why it’s important to declutter your home and get rid of unnecessary items as often as possible:
Less clutter means a cleaner home, and we don’t just mean you’ll have fewer things to move around. If you have too many things lying around, they’ll collect dirt, allergens, and dust, and eventually, they can decrease the overall air quality in your house.
Clutter can negatively impact your mental health. If you see that you have too much to clean, you might lose motivation and give up. You’ll only let more clutter pile up until it’s too much to handle. This can only cause unwanted stress and make you feel anxious.
When you declutter, you’ll feel more in control. You’ll make a visible impact on something that is a source of stress for you. Decluttering is a practice that helps create a sense of control in your own life, and you’ll have to agree, this can sometimes feel like a true luxury in today’s world.
To keep your home in the best condition possible, make sure to declutter regularly.
Expert tips for upholstery cleaning and maintenance
Now that you know how important a clutter-free home is, it’s time to focus on your upholstery. Upholstered furniture is a comfortable and attractive aspect of your home decor. However, upholstery cleaning can be a difficult part of house maintenance. Spills and grime will inevitably find their way onto your furniture, no matter how careful you are.
Upholstered furniture is designed to survive for a long time, but if you don’t maintain it properly, you’re risking having to look for a replacement sooner. That’s why we’ve consulted expert cleaners and put together a list of upholstery cleaning and maintenance tips. They’ll help you keep your upholstered furniture looking clean and smelling fresh for a long time.
Vacuum regularly
Don’t just sit and wait for your monthly cleaning appointment to have your home vacuumed. You should also vacuum your upholstery at least once a week. This way, you’ll ensure that you are preventing it from becoming dirty. If you leave dirt and other stains on your furniture for too long, they may sink deeper into the upholstery fibers, becoming abrasive and potentially damaging them.
It may be difficult to stick to this maintenance regimen, but it will significantly extend the life of your furniture. Professionals recommend vacuuming in one direction, then vacuuming in the opposite direction once you’ve covered a full section. Make sure to avoid putting too much pressure on the furniture.
Tackle spills immediately
If you notice a spill on your upholstered furniture, clean it up right away before it soaks into the fabric. Clean the spilled area with a clean, dry cloth. Use your cloth to blot up the spill and absorb as much liquid as possible.
However, make sure not to rub the spill, as this will just cause the liquid to seep deeper into the upholstery. Therefore, when blotting up a spill, be delicate. You can also try vacuuming up any spillage to remove the material without rubbing it in.
Try DIY upholstery cleaners
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on pre-made upholstery cleaners or rug cleaners; products you already have in your home can be just as effective. For example, you can use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood stains. Spray a small amount on the stain and let it stay for a few minutes before blotting it up.
Take a good look around your home—chances are you already have everything you need to keep your upholstery clean.
Sprinkle some salt on oil or grease stains and let it absorb the oil for a few minutes before vacuuming it away. Coffee stains should be removed with diluted vinegar and a drop of dish soap. To remove red wine stains, apply salt, then hydrogen peroxide, and finally water.
Read the label carefully
Before cleaning your upholstery, it’s important to check for the instructions written on a care label. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that professionals from deep cleaning services always double-check this before they start cleaning. The care labels will have codes on them, with a “W” indicating that water-based cleaners are safe, an “S” indicating that only solvent-based cleaners are safe, “W, S” indicating that you can use either water or solvent, and an “X” indicating that you should only vacuum.
If you follow these instructions, you won’t destroy your upholstery by using improper upholstery cleaning products. When using a cleaning product on your furniture for the first time, test a small patch in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it is not straining or hurting your furniture.
Avoid too much moisture
When cleaning your upholstery, it’s crucial to avoid using too many moist cleaning chemicals. Use the smallest quantity possible to remove the stain and allow plenty of time for it to dry completely.
If you use too much cleaner and it soaks into the padding of your furniture, it might provide a breeding ground for bacteria or damage the padding. Solvent cleaners, in particular, should be used carefully since if left sitting for too long without drying, they can seriously damage the cushioning.
Keep your furniture covered
Even though this one couldn’t really be characterized as cleaning tips and advice, it’s essential for keeping your upholstery in the best condition possible. So for both protection and decoration, use a sofa cover or slipcover. The work can be done with a piece of fabric draped over or tucked into a sofa.
If you don’t cover your furniture, you’ll have to invest that much more time and effort into maintaining it clean.
The slipcover protects the sofa, armrests, and cushions by absorbing the majority of daily wear and filth. The best part is that you can wash or replace the slipcover as frequently as you like.
Try our upholstery cleaning and maintenance tips!
If you make sure to follow our upholstery cleaning and maintenance tips, you’ll ensure your furniture lasts as long as possible. Of course, for best results, contact professionals who’ll ensure your home is clean and, more importantly, healthy. You’ll just have to do the minor works in between to maintain it that way.
