UPHOLSTERY CLEANING 

1. Read the label

Before proceeding, it’s important to know what type of fabric is used in the upholstery and what the codes mean before you begin cleaning. Codes generally used on tags include:

• W – This indicates water can be used in cleaning
• WS – A dry cleaning detergent or mild detergent and steam vacuum can be used
• X – No water, vacuum only
• S – Clean with dry cleaner detergent

2. Start cleaning

Baking soda is great for a lot of things, including the removal of grime and embedded dirt in your couch. Test the fabric first in an inconspicuous area, but baking soda is safe for most types of upholstery. You will need a couple of cleaning cloths, a stiff brush, baking soda and your vacuum cleaner using the brush attachment.

• Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris.
• Sprinkle the couch with baking soda and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. You may want to consider mixing the baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for a super-deep clean.
• Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to thoroughly remove the baking soda or mixture.

For any tough stains that are still present, you can use a solution that will work for the type of fabric along with a clean cloth for blotting away stains. For instance, fabric upholstery can be cleaned using a mixture of 3/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap. For synthetic upholstery, a mixture of one cup warm water and 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/2 tablespoon of dish soap works well.  In either case, combine ingredients in a spray bottle.

When you want an extra deep clean, consider renting a steam cleaner which can be used on many types of upholstery other than suede.

If you can remove cushion covers and the tag indicates they are machine washable, this is the easiest way to clean couch cushions. Otherwise, you can loosen dirt and debris by beating the cushions outdoors on a sunny day. One benefit of doing this is the sun’s UV rays work to disinfect the fabric!

Now you know how to deep clean a couch so that it not only looks like new but smells fresh as well!