Things You'll Need:
- Cleaning Cloths
- Cleaning Cloths
- Detergents
- Electric Fans
- Handheld Dusting Brushes
- Power Brush Vacuum Attachments
- Plastic Bucket
- Plastic Bucket
- Plastic Scrapers
Keeping upholstered furniture clean will increase the life of the fabrics. Here's how to wash upholstery, whether it's a couch, sofa, loveseat or favorite chair.
- Remove all loose cushions.
- Loosen dirt with a handheld dusting brush while using a vacuum brush attachment to remove the dust.
- Vacuum all surfaces of the furniture: back, sides, arms, skirt and the platform beneath the cushions.
- Vacuum both sides of the loose cushions.
- Replace cushions.
- Add 1/4 c. laundry detergent or liquid dish detergent to 1 c. warm water. Blend with an electric mixer; whip the mixture until the suds look like whipped cream (it will be dry and form peaks).
- Test for fading by dipping a cloth in the suds and rubbing a small place on the back of furniture. Let dry. If fading, shrinkage or discoloration occurs, have the job done professionally; if not, proceed to the next step.
- Pick an area on the furniture, dip cloth and rub suds on.
- Dirt will begin to appear in suds as they work. Use a scraper to scrape suds away.
- Rinse area with a damp cloth.
- Repeat steps 8 through 10 on other areas of furniture, allowing for overlap of areas during cleaning.
- Allow to dry overnight, preferably with an electric fan blowing on furniture.
