Prior of trying to cleaning upholstery yourself, it is recommended to check the fabric or material type you want to clean on your own. Also, before you start using soap or any other cleaning solution on the upholstery, check the cleaning agent on a small less visible part of the couch. Thus, you can easily check if the solution you are about the use will produce a new stain or if the color of the upholstery will fade.
For fast dry times of the upholstery, avoid wetting the cloth too much. If you work with too much water, the drying process of the upholstery will take longer, leading to potential mildew problems and molds. Below are some useful tips on how to properly clean your upholstery based on the type of upholstery you are about to clean.
Cleaning fabric upholstery – Mix one teaspoon dish soap in one pint of water. If you are dealing with delicate fabric, make sure to use a clean soft cloth. Dip the cloth in the solution and gently rub the accumulated dirt. For the cleaning of a durable coach, you can use an upholstery brush. Then, remove the soap with the use of a white dry cloth.
Fabric upholstery stain removal – Mix laundry detergent (one teaspoon) with warm water (one cup). Dip a white clean rag in the solution to get rid of the stains. Stubborn stains require a stronger solution (1/3 cup white vinegar mixed with 2/3 cup water). You can also use a mixture of one tablespoon ammonia and ½ cup water. Use a wet sponge to rinse of the solution.
Cleaning leather upholstery – Use leather cleaner available at leather goods store or use a mixture of one cup white vinegar and two cups linseed oil. Use a white clean cloth to apply the solution. Gently rub the leather, let it on for about ten minutes, and then polish it with another clean rag.
Leather upholstery stain removal – Use some alcohol to moist a piece of cotton swab and rub it on the stain you want to eliminate. Use a blow dryer to dry the surface. For stubborn stains use the non-oily and the non-gel type of cuticle remover. Leave the remover overnight on the stain and the next day remove it using a damp cloth.