How to Clean Leather and Fabric Upholstered Sofas

Cleaning fabric upholstery

Most common messes such as dirt, dust, and mud can be removed by shampooing or steam-cleaning the fabric.

1. First, vacuum the entire surface of the sofa to remove dry, loose dirt.

2. Next, it’s time pre-treat the stain. Using a clean, white, very damp cloth, dab the stain to saturate it with water and loosen stubborn dirt particles.

3. Use your cleaning agent to spot-test the upholstery for colorfastness. To test, apply only the dry suds to a hidden part of your sofa’s upholstery and lightly scrub into the fabric with a cloth or soft-bristled brush. Allow the spot to dry.

4. Steam clean the stain. Apply dry suds from your cleaning mixture to the stain. Using the brush attachment on the steam cleaner, firmly and thoroughly shampoo the stained area in even, circular strokes. Once it’s removed, you’ll likely want to steam clean the entire surface of your sofa to ensure that the fabric wears evenly.

5. Allow the upholstery to dry.

6. Apply a fabric protector. This step will help keep your upholstery stain-resistant and durable.

Cleaning leather upholstery

Most covering sofas are fabricated with accomplished leather, which is absolute for blush accord and advised with a bright top covering for best durability. Because of this process, abounding accepted domiciliary stains–especially clay and mud–can be bankrupt with balmy baptize and a apple-pie blot or cloth. But for boxy stains, or to accord your covering daybed a absolute cleaning, chase these steps:

1. Vacuum the entire surface of the sofa to remove dry, loose dirt.

2. Remove excess soap with a clean, dry, white cloth and allow the leather to dry thoroughly.

3. If the stain is still intact, try applying a specially-formulated leather stain remover. For extremely tough stains, other methods may work more effectively. Remove the cornstarch with a dry white cloth, and repeat the process as necessary.

Using a dry white cloth, work the mixture into the entire surface after cleaning and once a month to ensure the longevity of your leather furniture.

Weekly dusting and vacuuming, monthly cleaning, and the immediate treatment of stains are the best ways to protect your investment.

Vapor steam cleaner

Vapor steam cleaners use a boiler to heat tap water to high temperatures (240 to 310 degrees) causing the water to be transformed into a very fine, dry mist. The vapor is made up of about 5 to 6% water, so surfaces dry quickly. The vapor particles are much smaller than steam particles allowing the ability to clean in tighter spaces. In 2005, the University of Washington tested a vapor steam cleaner and said “the steam vapor’s low moisture and high temperature provides deeper cleaning because it penetrates into the pores and crevices better than topically applied cleaners”. Since steam vapor cleaners use no chemicals, there is a benefit to indoor air quality, no hazards or risks from using and storing chemicals, and no harmful chemical residue left after the cleaning process.
Vapor steam cleaners have been in use at hospitals.
Recently, green cleaning has been gaining interest and popularity in the quest to end our reliance on disinfecting chemicals. Technology has provided us with vapor steam cleaners to combat mold, bacteria, viruses, mildew, and fungus without the use of chemicals. In addition, Rona Fried, Ph D. said “the fact that you can achieve sanitation from tap water frees you from chemical-safety concerns.”