Sofas and armchairs are an integral part of a modern home. However, even despite the accuracy of use, any upholstered furniture requires regular cleaning. Over time, the furniture loses its attractive appearance, becomes dusty, traces and spots of various origins appear on it.
General furniture cleaning tips
Cleaning a sofa usually involves the use of a vacuum cleaner, but not in all cases with it you can achieve the desired result. If you need to remove dust from upholstered furniture, soak gauze in salt water and fix it on the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. In 1 liter of water, Art. tablespoon of salt, then dip gauze in water and leave there for 5-7 minutes, after which excess fluid is squeezed out of it. This method will help to carry out cleaning without resorting to the use of additional equipment. Your furniture will be updated after this procedure, the colors will become more saturated.
Furniture made of velvet and velor material can not be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, as it can interfere with the appearance of the pile. For such materials, the folk method is used. A large cloth is taken from the fabric and wetted in a solution of vinegar and salt (2 tbsp.spoons of vinegar and salt per 1 liter of liquid). Smooth the fabric on the couch to knock it out. When the fabric becomes dirty, rinse in water and moisten the solution again. Repeat these steps until the fabric is no longer dirty.
Sofa Cleaner
If you want to remove a little dirt or greasy, a warm soapy solution is suitable, which should be impregnated with a cotton cloth. Wipe clean with a cloth in one direction only. In addition, to clean the sofas, you can use a special chemical agent that easily foams. After applying the foam to the sofa, wait until it is completely dry, then use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess dry dirt.
Cleaning sofas at home is carried out using various means and methods, depending on the type of material for the upholstery. Therefore, be sure to read the labels when buying sofas, and carefully read the instructions for use of cleaning products that you want to use.
The use of cleaning products for upholstered furniture
If you need to clean the sofa from a material that allows the use of water and
cleaning products, follow this procedure:
- Wash the covers from the sofa cushions in the washing machine, if removed. Before this, read the instructions, as certain types of fabrics deteriorate when the washing mode is selected incorrectly. For covers, the delicate washing mode with gentle detergents is most suitable.
- The floor near the sofa is best covered with polyethylene or newspapers to avoid contamination.
- Perform a detergent test on a small piece of cloth to see if it spoils it.
- The cleaning agent is first applied to the back of the sofa, then to the armrests, seat and, last but not least, to the lower part. Spread the product in small portions, approximately 40 x 40 cm in size, and rub with a brush for about 30 seconds. This time is just enough for the product to have enough time to penetrate the fabric to remove impurities, but the sofa will not be difficult to dry.
- Check for divorces on the couch. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the rest of the detergent. Sometimes it is advised not to vacuum, but to leave the furniture in this condition until it completely dries out independently.
Upholstery types
Tapestry
The sofa for this type of upholstery is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Wet cleansing can deform the material, causing it to lose the brightness of colors.
Flock and velor
If you previously cleaned carpets made from flock, then you know that dirt is easily removed from this material when using a microfiber cloth soaked in soapy water. Clean only in the direction of the pile. In the end, you only need to pat the upholstery slightly with a white cotton towel. The sofa is cleaned after preliminary disposal of dust. For these purposes, use a special brush. Upholstery of this type can also be cleaned with a steam generator.
Nubuck and suede
If your sofa is made of suede or nubuck, take a special brush for cleaning. Remove dust in advance. Rubber fibers easily penetrate into contaminated places and clean upholstered furniture well. In addition, such furniture can be carefully steamed.
Leather and leatherette
Sofas made of leather are easy to care for. They are also not inclined to accumulate dust. However, keep in mind that the skin cannot be soaked wet. Get cleansing chemicals specifically designed for your skin. A folk recipe for cleaning leather sofas is also suitable. Wipe upholstery and apply whipped protein on it. This procedure will refresh the wiped places on the skin and give it shine. It should be noted that cleaning leather sofas does not allow the use of ordinary household chemicals, as well as steam cleaners.
Useful Tips
Home cleaning of sofas by each of the presented methods involves testing the product on a small area of upholstery. After drying, make sure that there are no traces or unexpected results. Stains must be removed from the edge to the center. This prevents the formation of divorces. Increase the dose of the drug gradually. Never use several products together. This may damage the upholstery of your sofa. If there is a long-dried stain on the couch that cannot be removed using the methods described above, use a stain remover, however, strictly follow the instructions for use.
Dry Cleaning
No matter how much the housewives try and try, cleaning a sofa at home does not always make it possible to completely get rid of all the pollution. Therefore, it is recommended that you give your furniture at least once a year to the hands of professionals who provide comprehensive dry and wet cleaning services for sofas at home using special chemicals. Such procedures will not only renew the look of your furniture, but also significantly increase its life.