Upholstery Cleaning Made Simple

With the economy being what it is today, more and more people are turning to money-saving DIY steps for their cleaning and home repair needs. This is nothing new to me, as I am the original penny pincher. Somehow, freelance writing and growing up in a lower income home develops a person in such a way. I don't know what gave me my resentment of authority, but that little distemper has led me to not only freelance my writing, but my labor as well. Having taken the skills learned from a professional cleaning service to my own freelance office cleaning business, I can give you first-hand knowledge and experience of how to keep the green in your pocket and off of your upholstered furniture. I am always asked about upholstery cleaning machines and their effectiveness, so let's get this out of the way right up front. Some machines will do the job as long as they are soap and warm water based cleaning machines. While they work, they are more trouble than they are worth and don't save you any time anyway. They could save you time if you set aside an entire day to clean all the upholstery in your home, but let's face it, who wants to do that? And besides, most upholstery cleaning jobs are on an emergency as needed basis shortly after the soiling has occurred. If you use your machine for these emergency jobs, you will end up spending more time unpacking the machine, prepping it, adding product, then afterwards, emptying and cleaning the machine that by the time you are finished you are exhausted. Additionally, NEVER use a steam-based cleaning machine. Certain fabrics are extremely sensitive to steam and they will shrink and tighten, destroying the entire piece of furniture.

Leather and vinyl cleaning is about as easy as the pie that was spilled on it.

1. Wipe off excess debris or large pieces with a dry cloth or paper towel.

2. Mix only a couple drops of dish soap with warm water.

3. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and wring tightly, removing all excess liquid.

4. Lightly wipe the surface with the cloth, using circular motions.

5. Blot dry with another clean cloth.

When it's your fiber-based upholstery that needs cleaning, that's when it gets a little more tricky. Before any cleaning, vacuum the affected area with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner, but remember these two important tips: (1.) Always use the attachment! Without it, the pressure will be too strong and the vacuum will actually work the dirt further into the upholstery. (2.) Do not brush the upholstery with the vacuum! Apply the vacuum to the upholstery with a dabbing motion. Do not scrub. Once this is done, we can proceed to the next phase of the cleaning.

1. In a wide bowl, combine ¼ cup dish soap with 2 cups warm water. Using either an egg-beater, wire whip, or electric mixer, whip or beat the solution until a thick foam forms. Using the same measure as whip-cream, it is ready when you can form peaks.

2. With a dry cloth (I prefer cotton, but some swear by microfiber) apply a little of the cleaning foam to an inconspicuous area to test for discoloration. If no discoloration occurs, apply the foam to the soiled area. Do not rub it in. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. You will notice dirt and grime rise up into the foam as it dissipates and sinks into the upholstery.

3. After 10-15 minutes, use a rubber spatula to scrape the foam out of the area. Discard the foam.

4. Dampen a cloth in warm water and wring out. Use the cloth to blot the area rinsing excess foam out of the material. Do not scrub!

5. Blot the area again with a dry cloth or paper towel to remove as much water as possible.

6. Place a fan nearby aimed at the furniture to hasten the drying process. The goal is to keep the furniture from being wet for the least amount of time possible.

For grease or oily stains, it may first be necessary to soak up the grease or oil. To do this, simply place a couple spoonfuls of baking soda or corn starch on the spot and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Vacuum up the soda or starch with the upholstery attachment and proceed with the regular cleaning steps.

As you can see, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to develop specially formulated chemical cleaning solutions and machines using state-of-the-art technology to keep your furniture clean and looking fresh. A few simple household products and a little elbow grease work just as well or even better, because it is you controlling the motions and actions, not a machine. As a last little plug, always finish up with a light mist of Febreeze, the greatest olfactory invention of the 20^th century! Good luck, and stay squeaky.