NEWS & INSIGHTS

Cleaning Upholstery 101

March 23, 2022

Picture of Claire Hebert

Claire Hebert

While keeping your upholstery fresh and stain‐free can be daunting, it actually doesn’t have to be that overwhelming. All you need is a couple of good tricks and keeping your furniture hygienic and spotless will be a breeze.

A great solution for the never‐ending chores is reaching out to a reliable company in New Orleans that provides comprehensive cleaning services. However, if you’d like to tackle your furniture on your own, you might be interested in the following tips for keeping your upholstery as good as new. Read on.

How do you clean old dirty upholstery?

Before you start restoring shine to your old upholstery, you should check the label for the recommended type of cleaner. This label should contain one of the following codes:

  • W – water based 
  • S – solvent based 
  • WS – water or solvent
  • X – professional cleaning 

If there’s no label on your piece, first test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area. If it doesn’t damage the material, you can start with the actual clean up. 

Remove dirt

To remove dust and dirt from upholstery, use the corresponding attachment to vacuum the piece thoroughly. Work your way from the top down and use short strokes from left to right. You can use the crevice attachment to properly clean tufting, seems, folds, and the area around buttons.

W and WS code

For pieces you can treat with water, it’s best to first do a quick steam clean to loosen up the long accumulated dirt. Then, you can apply the following steps:

  • Mix a squirt of mild dish detergent into a bucket of warm water.
  • Use a soft brush to dampen the piece with the soapy water, making sure you don’t soak any parts. 
  • Use a cloth dampened with clean water to wipe the surface. 
  • Let it air dry and do not use a hair dryer since it could damage the material. 

When it comes to cushions, first clean one side and let dry overnight, then do the same with the other side. 

S code

You’ll need to use only solvent‐based products for furniture with this code. You can apply the product onto a clean towel to gently rub over the entire area. Make sure you ventilate the room well while working and allow your piece to fully dry before using it again. 

How do you get old stains out of upholstery?

To remove an old stain, you should first try the soapy solution you used to clean your piece in the first place, but this time dampen a sponge with it and blot the stain without rubbing. Rinse the sponge and use clean water to blot out all the soapy water. Press dry with paper towels or a cloth. 

When you cannot use water on your piece, use the solvent‐based product and work it into the stain with a soft brush. If the stain remains visible, repeat the entire process. In case it remains even after a couple of rounds, it’s time to call the pros. 

Where in New Orleans can I hire reliable cleaning services?

How do you clean old dirty upholstery If you’d like to keep your mirrors streak‐free and restore shine to your windows, as well as ensure an adequate treatment for your electronics, reach out to Geaux Maids of New Orleans. We boast highly trained, bonded, and insured professionals who always go out of their way to make our clients happy. 

Rather than immersing yourself in the never ending household tasks, take your family for an inspiring tour of the New Orleans Museum of Arts and let us make sure you come back to a fresh and clean home. Call now and schedule your initial appointment!

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