Introduction
The days are getting longer, bulbs and buds are peeking out, and that means spring is just around the corner! And with spring comes spring cleaning – that long-dreaded task where we q-tip every nook and cranny and dig into those hard-to-reach areas to make our home sparkle – including upholstery cleaning!
And while the hard surfaces in your home appreciate the attention, neglecting upholstery – the fabric used on your armchairs, sofas, and other furniture – means trapped odours stay trapped and the freshly-cleaned quickly gives way to the old and stale.
At the Blind Carpet Cleaner, we value all fabrics and surfaces, and we recognize the challenges that come with keeping upholstered furniture looking like new. In this guide, we will go over some of the different types of upholstered fabrics and their cleaning methods. We will then take some time to dive into some of the most common types of stains that you will find, as they often have different cleaning methods.
If you have come to the end of this blog, tried the upholstery cleaning methods, and the stain still won’t budge, it may be time to call in a professional. We take pride in our transparent prices and hot water extraction methods that provide the gold standard of clean without the harsh chemicals, and it’s pet-safe too. Our specialists will go the extra mile to make sure your couch looks new again.
Types of Upholstery Fabric
Natural
There’s plenty to love about fabrics woven from nature. Derived from plants or animals, natural upholsteries are more environmentally friendly, albeit the more expensive options overall. In addition, these materials are biodegradable, although most manufacturers offer natural-synthetic blends, owing to their versatility.
Bottom Line? Overall softer and more environmentally friendly, but tougher upholstery to keep clean.
Cotton
Cotton is a popular choice for upholstery, owing to its soft feel and durability. Most fabrics are a cotton blend, however, due to the fact that stand-alone cotton is more susceptible to stains and wrinkles. Like most materials, manufacturer production quality and thread-count are key to the longevity of your sofa.
Leather
Overall, leather is the winner for upholstery for ease-of-cleaning and comfort. As a top-choice in pet-friendly homes, a quick vacuum will remove pet hair and a follow-up wipe with a damp cloth eliminates any dirt or sticky finger marks. A leather conditioner is recommended to extend the life of the fabric, and most agree that full or top-grain leathers are the best, albeit the most expensive options.
Linen
If you’ve ever owned a pair of linen pants, you’re already well aware of the pros and cons of this strong, yet breathable fabric. Woven from flax, it is soft and resists pilling. Unfortunately, this is arguably where the positives end. Linen wrinkles easily and is prone to shrinkage, so any cleaning, spot or otherwise, is best left to the professionals. Not a family-friendly option.
Wool
Another durable weave, wool is usually blended with other fibres as it can be scratchy next to the skin. Created from animal hair, wool is stain and wrinkle-resistant and is a popular choice in blended fabrics.
Synthetic
Synthetic upholstery fabrics are man-made materials, designed with function in mind. They first appeared more than sixty years ago as a less expensive alternative to pricey silk, and have evolved to meet ever-changing consumer demands for affordability and durability. The most popular for upholstery are below.
Bottom line? More durable and less expensive overall, but not landfill-friendly.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the most popular fabrics but is rarely used alone. Rather, it is blended with other softer fabrics to improve strength and durability and minimize the ‘worn’ look. Be careful of cheaper nylon blends as they are more prone to fading and pilling.
Polyester
70’s fashion flashback? You won’t find polyester on its own, thankfully, as it is another fabric typically blended for maximum wrinkle resistance, wearability, and lasting colour. It can pill, so quality blends are critical here.
Olefin (polypropylene)
Olefin is one of the new kids on the market, relatively speaking. Making its appearance in the ’90s, it is the most durable and stain-resistant without the need for additional stain-guard chemicals. The biggest drawback is its vulnerability to heat, but its overall workhorse versatility makes it an attractive choice for upholstery both inside and out.
Rayon
One of the early developments in synthetic fabrics, rayon was intended to imitate natural fabrics, such as linen and cotton. It is not surprising, then, that the major drawback of rayon is also wrinkling. Improvements have made this material better but are still best as a blend.
Tackling Upholstery Cleaning Stains
First things first. Ensure you vacuum your upholstery regularly to keep dirt, dust, and other debris from settling in. This is your best defense against odour and dinginess. Sprinkling with baking soda before vacuuming is an effective method to trap and remove odours from your fabric. But no amount of vacuuming can prevent accidental spills and stains. When they do happen, it is important to first identify what you can and cannot do with your upholstery.
Know your upholstery cleaning codes!
We found ‘The Spruce’ Using Fabric Cleanability Codes to Clean Fabric to be our go-to-guide to decode that big tag under our cushions.
W – water-based cleaners only
S – mild, water-free cleaner or dry cleaning product (such as rubbing alcohol); good ventilation and no nearby open-flame
W-S – either water or solvent-based product (such as an upholstery shampoo)
Code X – vacuum or gentle brushing only. Never use any cleaning agents
Most Common Spills and Stains Requiring Upholstery Cleaning
Oil Stains
Movie night doesn’t come without its share of casualties and a spilled bowl of hot, buttery popcorn can be a nightmare to clean without the proper technique. The first step is to absorb as much of the oil as possible with cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda, by sprinkling it on, gently working it in with a soft brush, and leaving it to absorb for at least fifteen minutes before vacuuming it away. You may have to repeat this step.
Next, follow the fabric instructions for appropriate cleaning agents. Delicate fabrics such as silk or other dry-clean-only upholsteries will need professional cleaning once the cornstarch has been sprinkled on.
Pet Urine
Patches didn’t make it outside? Ashley’s Home Furniture recommends Nature’s Miracle, an enzymatic formula specially designed to conquer this smelly problem. Enzymatic formulas break down different types of stains, in this instance, a protease formula to break down the proteins in urine. While a complete clean might be in order to pull out especially voluminous pet fluids, or ones that go unnoticed for a time, a cleaner such as this is a good place to start if it’s small and freshly ‘deposited’.
*Ashley’s cleaning tip? Ensure you clean seam-to-seam and blot dry thoroughly to avoid water marks.
Red Wine
Like most liquids, the key is to use a towel to blot as much as possible before cleaning, then use the guide below. Blot as you go to avoid oversaturation, but the key to success here is to get to the spill as quickly as possible and persist with your blot/clean/blot cycles as it may take more than one round to completely lift the stain.
Coffee
If your fabric allows it, mix one tablespoon of liquid hand soap detergent with two cups of cold water. Apply some of the solutions to a clean cloth and blot the stain. Alternatively, blot with a clean dry cloth until the stain is no longer visible. Lastly, apply clean water to a new cloth and blot to remove the cleaning solution. Blot dry.
General Upholstery Cleaning
Sometimes a sticky handprint from your favourite little appears on a cushion, or a swipe of dirt finds its way to the side of a sofa as a muddy pup slinks by, avoiding the dreaded bathtub. When that happens, we like the environmentally-friendly home-made solutions from HGTV’s How To Clean a Couch:
Fabric upholstery:
Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts. Use a second cloth moistened with clean water to remove the soap. Dry with a towel.
Leather upholstery:
Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar and put it into a spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the surface of the couch and buff with a soft cloth.
Synthetic upholstery:
Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of warm water, and 1/2 tablespoon of liquid dish soap or castile soap in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area and scrub with a soft cloth until the stain is gone
The key here is to dry the fabric by blotting as much as possible before attempting to address a spill or stain, as well as after. Leaving upholstery too damp leads to water stains and leather demarcation
To Conclude our Upholstery Cleaning for Beginners Guide:
Vacuuming and quick spot cleaning are important tools in extending the life of your upholstery. Still have some stubborn spots or stains that won’t budge? Lingering pet odours overpowering that spring-clean feeling? Allergy concerns? Much of our scrubbing focuses on the high-traffic, hard surfaces in our homes because they seem to be subject to the most use. But when is the last time your sofa received the same amount of care and attention?
Keep in mind that it is generally recommended that you vacuum your upholstery weekly and have it professionally cleaned every six to twelve months, depending on how heavily it’s used. For that reason, a detailed upholstery cleaning is your best option, and when you need an extra boost, it may be time to call in a professional.
At The Blind Carpet Cleaner, our professional cleaning specialists will efficiently bring your upholstery back to life with our upholstery cleaning services.
We apply a non-toxic odourless solution, which has a neutral pH to the upholstery in your home or office. Coupled with our hot water extraction method, we will remove over 85% of stains from your upholstery safely and effectively!
This method, the gold standard in upholstery cleaning, cleans, and sanitizes at over 260 degrees F, tackling dirt, dust, pollen, smoke, toxins, germs, bacteria, allergens, and contaminants also living in your upholstery.
Our trained professionals pay particular attention to areas affected by pet problems, stains, and heavy use upholstery items.
If you’re already in spring-cleaning mode, why not employ The Blind Carpet Cleaner for your other home-cleaning needs? Our mobile service has everything to clean and freshen your carpets (commercial and residential), area rugs, and mattresses. In addition, we specialize in dust-mite removal, bathroom and kitchen appliance cleaning, outdoor furniture cleaning, and children’s toys sanitation.
Do you have an item that’s not included in this list? Do you have questions about a lingering stain that just won’t budge? Our specialists are trained to help answer your questions about anything fabric-related, and we’re eager to work with you. Get in touch with us to get started.
Keeping you safe during COVID-19:
The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for everyone, and we know that people are hesitant to bring professionals into their homes. At the Blind Carpet Cleaner, we work hard to put our customers at ease by employing a high standard of safety – we want to protect you and our employees!
- Our carpet cleaners wear disposable hospital-grade nitrile gloves, 3-layer surgical masks, and over the shoe covers, which have been proven effective as a preventative measure against COVID-19.
- Between client homes, all microfiber cloths, and scrubbing tools are replaced, ensuring that there is no pathogen-crossover between sites. The tools are returned to our premises where they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
- All of our carpet cleaning equipment, hand-tools, wands, cleaning buckets, and spray bottles are disinfected after each use.
- The Blind Carpet Cleaner team members are provided with a one-step alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which they use regularly between homes.
- The interior of our vehicle is disinfected on a daily basis.
Want to learn more? Click here to see how we put your safety first.
