How to Clean and Maintain Different Types of Upholstery

Upholstery furniture makes a beautiful addition to the home. After a day's work, the best way to unwind and relax is by sinking into a couch or armchair and sip on some tea. However, this comfort can be reduced when your upholstery furniture gets dirty. Over time, with their use, they are bound to get dusty and dirty. Similarly, accidental spills from your drink can occur, leaving a stain and sometimes an odour. Regular upholstery cleaning and maintenance are essential to retaining their beauty, comfort, and cleanliness. Here are some tips on how to clean and maintain different upholstery.

Before you begin your upholstery cleaning process, the first step is to understand the kind of material and fabric you're dealing with. Look for the manufacturers’ tags or cleaning instructions to prevent colour bleeding or shrinking and get outstanding results. Secondly, vacuum your furniture regularly to avoid the accumulation of dust deep into the fabric. Also, practice spot treatment promptly before the spills turn into stubborn stains.

1. Leather

Usually, leather only requires swiping and wiping away the dirt and dust and occasional conditioning to maintain its smoothness and elasticity in the tissue. However, it's essential to keep in mind that you shouldn't get cleaning products and water into the legs and frames of your furniture. These parts are either wooden or metallic and can rust, stain, or corrode. If you're dealing with a stain on leather, consider hiring professional upholstery cleaning in Sydney.

2. Combined/blend upholstery

Some of the latest upholstery fabrics are made by combining different materials, mainly cotton or wool blended with synthetic threads. Typically, combined materials need special treatment to prevent damage like colour bleeding and shrinking. For combined upholstery cleaning, the safest option is hiring a professional.

3. Synthetic upholstery

Synthetic upholstery, such as olefin, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon, is easy to clean by yourself. These materials can stand water, making it possible to use various water-based upholstery cleaning products. If you can detach the synthetic, you can clean it in your washing machine, but be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re unsure of the cleaning product, use it on a small, hidden area to determine if there’ll be discolouration or shrinkage.

4. Microfibre upholstery

Microfibre upholstery is one of the best choices of fabrics for your furniture; it's easy to clean, beautiful, and durable. The material is usually dense, with many fibres on a tiny area, preventing dust and dirt from setting into the fabric. If you experience old stains, you can clean using a brush attachment on your vacuum. However, if it's a stubborn stain, check the instructions for the best cleaning products.

5. Natural upholstery

Natural fibres include cotton and wool; however, not many upholstery furniture are made of 100% natural fibre as they retain water. If you’re using a water-based detergent, be moderate to prevent shrinking or deforming the fabric. Alternatively, use a steam clean for optimal results. 

Furniture in your home is a valuable investment; hence it needs care even with cleaning and maintenance as the wrong type of upholstery cleaning can cause damage. If you're unsure of the cleaning you need to do, check the manufacturer's instructions or hire a professional. Contact us today for any of your upholstery cleaning needs to achieve impeccable results.