How to Clean Fabrics

You’ve just bought a brand-new set for your living room, and everybody loves it. A beautiful piece of furniture will add definition to any home and lighten up the place, but you also need to know how to clean it and take care of it properly, otherwise you will have a grubby, tattered couch squatting in the middle of your living room before you know it. There are a few basic steps that everyone can follow to make sure that your beautiful, comfortable couch will look great and last long enough for everyone to enjoy.

Basically, you just have to remember two general rules for cleaning upholstery. Since loose dirt and stains are the most common factors for soiling your furniture, knowing how to deal with these two will allow you to clean them up easily and painlessly. Cleaning up loose dirt can easily be done by vacuuming or just brushing away the dirt. You have to do this as soon as possible, though, before the dirt gets embedded in the fabric. Stains and spills can be dealt with by using a dry cloth to wipe them away and soak up the liquid.

The best way to clean up your upholstery, however, is to first learn the cleaning codes. There are individual cleaning methods recommended for each type of fabric, so you have to know what they are. There should be cleaning codes in one of the tags affixed to your furniture, so try to look for them. If there are no codes, you can always try spot-cleaning an inconspicuous area of the furniture first, to test for compatibility. Currently, there are four cleaning codes used by the industry. I have included them here for your additional information, with the relevant explanation of each.

W – Vacuuming and light dusting are recommended. Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam from mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply the cleaning agent in a circular motion, using a soft cloth or brush.

S – You can also vacuum or dust lightly. Use water-free cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning solutions for spot cleaning. Avoid using products with carbon tetrachloride. Use a soft cloth and clean the upholstery in a well-ventilated area. Getting the services of a professional cleaner is also recommended.

WS – This is quite easy, since you can practically use any of the recommended methods above. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area if you’re using solvents or dry-cleaning products. Avoid products with carbon tetrachloride.

X – Vacuuming and light dusting only. Avoid using liquid cleaning agents of any kind. Using water-based cleaners or solvents may cause shrinking and/or damage the appearance of the upholstery.

Use the arm rest and headrest covers for your furniture if you have them. They can prevent body oils and other dirt from staining your furniture. Flip over any removable cushions you have once a month to even out any wear and tear. It would be nice if you could give your furniture a thorough cleaning at least every two to three months, to keep them looking fresh and clean.

By: Azlan Irda
Credit:www.superfeature.com