How to clean white furniture at home. How to clean a sofa at home

Upholstered furniture is a great way to create a cozy feeling in a room. People put sofas and armchairs at home, dreaming of relaxing in a pleasant environment, surrounded by family and friends. It is very pleasant to return home after a hard day and relax on the soft sofa. But the idyll is often disturbed by unpleasant stains on your favorite sofa. You should not worry too much about this and look for something to replace, products for cleaning upholstered furniture at home can solve this unpleasant problem. The owners do not have to call specialists or transport bulky items to their office.

At the moment, a huge number of ways have been developed for cleaning furniture from stains and eliminating unpleasant odors. When choosing this or that tool, you must remember some of the requirements for the cleaning process:

The cleaning agent should not cause skin irritation or allergic reactions to family members. No matter how well the product is washed off after cleaning, a small part of it risks remaining on the surface of upholstered furniture;
Upholstered furniture should be cleaned with a minimum amount of water. In addition to the upholstery, sofas and armchairs have filler, after getting wet it will have to dry for a long time. Currently, only synthetic hygroscopic materials that do not retain moisture are used for the production of furniture. But even a modern sofa will accumulate moisture inside and require a long drying time. It cannot be taken out into the street and dried in the sun, the only thing that the owners can do is open the windows in the apartment and create additional air movement. However, this method does not work during the cold season. It is much more convenient to use a minimum of water when cleaning;
The product should not have a pungent odor. All work is carried out at home, in a closed room, therefore, a pungent smell, which in ordinary life no one will notice with long contact with a person's receptors, causes a headache, darkening in the eyes and general ill health;
The chosen upholstery cleaner should gently clean without damaging the upholstery fabric. Even if the product is chosen in accordance with all the requirements, it will have to be tested directly on the upholstery before starting cleaning. For this, the most distant and inconspicuous area is selected, the agent is applied and possible reactions are evaluated.

At the moment, there are several types of products for cleaning upholstered furniture:

Folk - many people do not even know how you can use familiar substances and objects found in every home;
Household - this group includes chemicals that remove any pollution without problems, they can be bought in every household chemicals store, and thanks to a wide range, the selection of the ideal substance will not cause difficulties;
Technical - these include steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners, which help the owners to keep clean not only the furniture, but the entire apartment.

Technical

Folk

By type, stain removers and cleaners can be divided into:

Powders - diluted with water in the ratio indicated on the package;
Gels - are diluted with water and give a persistent foam that is applied to the stain;
Sprays - stain removers in a ready-to-use form;
Pencils are a handy stain remover that will last for a long time.

The pencils

Household

Household chemicals are presented in a wide range in many stores, but when choosing such substances for upholstered furniture, you will have to carefully read the recommendations for use. For each type of upholstery, its own type of household chemicals is suitable. You should choose it according to the recommendations of the furniture manufacturer. Professional furniture cleaning products are selected very carefully and must be checked on an inconspicuous area before use. If you choose the right household chemicals, the problem of pollution will be solved.

Household products are generally versatile. They easily deal with the most common types of stains, especially if the stain has not yet dried.

Read the label carefully - avoid chlorine products. The substance can provoke the appearance of stains on the upholstery, which cannot be removed later! Better to choose an oxygen purifier. On the label there will be an inscription - "active oxygen" or "with active oxygen".

Folk

To clean furniture, you can use not only household chemicals, but also folk remedies that are available in every home. You can clean upholstered furniture from dirt at home using one of the following methods:

Vacuum cleaning. Fabrics that do not have a strict pile structure are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. To do this, you must attach a gauze cloth soaked in saline to the end of the hose. The tissue should be in the vessel with the solution for about 10 minutes. It is prepared in the proportion: 1 teaspoon of salt to half a liter of water. The gauze can be attached to the vacuum cleaner with a rubber band;
Cleaning delicate fabrics can be done by applying a waffle towel. It should be soaked in a solution of vinegar, water and salt: for half a liter of water, take one tablespoon of salt and vinegar, mix thoroughly and soak the fabric. It is placed on the surface to be cleaned and knocked out. The fabric should be extremely light in color so that it can be visibly soiled. Each time the web is washed and re-wetted in the solution. The procedure is carried out until the color of the cleaning cloth stops changing;
Do-it-yourself cleaning of upholstered furniture using a soap solution. To do this, you need to take a napkin, moisten it in soapy water and gently wipe the furniture in the direction of the pile. Do not use too much water to avoid getting the chair wet.

Cleaning with soapy water

Applying a wet towel and vinegar

When we clean furniture from stains, the main criterion for choosing a product is the nature of the pollution:

Laundry soap is suitable for removing coffee marks. It is applied to the surface and after a short period of time is removed with a damp cloth;
Red wine can be removed with salt. Sprinkle the stain with salt, and after absorbing the dirt, remove it with a damp cloth. This method works well on fresh stains;
Blood can be easily washed off with a cloth dampened with cold water. If the contamination persists, a little soap should be added. In no case should hot water be used: it makes the blood coagulate, and it will forever eat into the tissue;
Grease stains are removed in the same way as wine: sprinkle with salt, wait until the dirt is absorbed and remove with a rag;
The wax is removed in several stages: first, the parts protruding above the fabric are removed with a mild knife, then the contamination is covered with a sheet of paper and ironed with an iron. The action is repeated until complete cleansing. It is important to monitor the temperature of the iron, it should not melt the material;
Chewing gum leaves the upholstery well when frozen, so to clean the furniture, you will have to take a piece of ice from the freezer and apply it to the place of pollution for a few minutes;
Juice stains are removed with soapy water, if this does not help, then it is necessary to dilute ammonia and vinegar in equal proportions. This solution will not leave juice residue on the sofa.

To remove the odor, you can take a vinegar solution and wipe the area where the stain was removed. It should be remembered that the younger the stain, the easier it is to remove. Do not wait, you should remove contaminants immediately after they are found.

Soap helps with blood stains

Remove coffee stains with laundry soap

Chewing gum on upholstered furniture

Oily stains are removed with salt

Selection rules depending on the upholstery

When it became clear how to clean upholstered furniture at home with folk remedies, you can identify several cleaning rules, depending on the materials. Each type of upholstery requires a special attitude from the owner:

Velor and flock are extremely capricious in the way of cleaning, they do not tolerate changes in the direction of the pile and strong chemicals. To clean them, use steam or a microfiber cloth. Before this, the surface is cleaned of dust. The soft brush should move in the direction of the pile. A napkin moistened with soapy water should move exclusively in the direction of the pile;
Tapestry is a rough fabric and can be cleaned with a stiff brush or vacuum cleaner. But tapestry upholstered furniture cleaning products should not be used with a large amount of water, the fabric loses its color and shape upon contact with it;
Suede and nubuck are cleaned with a soft rubber brush. A steam generator can be applied to these fabrics;
The skin is easy enough to clean, it does not absorb moisture, dirt is easily removed. To clean a leather chair, you need to take a cloth soaked in soapy water and lightly wipe the dirty area. Do not use steam generators or chemicals when cleaning this material.

Many stains can be removed on your own, but removable covers are best to protect furniture. They can harmoniously fit into the interior of the room, the covers can be changed, depending on the renovation of the room, then the sofa will always harmoniously fit into the interior, and the furniture does not have to be changed along with the wallpaper. Furniture covers can be removed and machine washed, which is very convenient, because in this case you do not have to buy additional funds and spend your time on it.

Tapestry requires a lot of water

Use a brush for suede

Velor and flock steam cleaned

The skin is cleaned with soapy water

Top manufacturers

When choosing products for cleaning upholstered furniture at home, people pay attention to the reputation of manufacturers. A variety of companies providing their products:

Shampoos for upholstered furniture and carpets "5+" - the products of this company are odorless, do not irritate human receptors. After diluting the product, it is used as a foam for cleaning upholstered furniture, and in an undiluted state, the product becomes a good stain remover. You can apply "5+" when cleaning furniture or carpet with a washing vacuum cleaner. In addition to removing stains, the product removes static electricity.
Vox is a Russian-made product. It is distinguished by the appearance of a lush foam when diluted with water. It is this foam that is applied to the contaminated surface, left to dry completely, and then removed with a vacuum cleaner or brush. The product has an extremely pleasant aroma, does not leave streaks and is inexpensive. It is able to remove stains of various dirt without significant effort and does not require rinsing with water, which saves the efforts of the owners.
Help is a tool in a convenient package. It is equipped with a spray gun with different operating modes. Unfortunately, such a tool is quite caustic; you can only work with it with gloves. The product is sprayed onto the contaminated areas, left for a few minutes and removed with a damp cloth. Wipe the cleaning site several times until the chemical is completely removed. It is not able to wipe off every type of dirt and requires preliminary testing on inconspicuous areas of the fabric, as it can damage the fabric structure. But this tool effectively removes odors.
Selena is an inexpensive product that can clean any surface. It removes old and stubborn stains. It is not suitable for processing a large surface, it is used exclusively for spot treatment of spots. It doesn't wash off well, so you have to make an effort. Of the advantages, it is possible to note not a pungent smell.

The best preparations and cleaning agents are chosen depending on the characteristics of the upholstery and the work required. For example, some substances are suitable for general cleaning of furniture, while others are suitable for removing stubborn stains that are difficult to remove.

What is needed for wood and fittings

Upholstered furniture does not consist entirely of textiles, it includes wooden and metal fittings. These parts are somewhat easier to care for, but can still be difficult.

An effective cleaner for metal fittings is a regular cloth soaked in soapy water. Metal does not absorb impurities, so it is not difficult to remove them.

A little more complicated is the case with wooden parts. Wood absorbs all stains; it can be quite difficult to remove them from an unpainted surface.

You can try to remove the stain with an iron. To do this, the steam mode is turned off on the device, an unnecessary cotton cloth is placed under it. At the lowest power, the damaged area should be held under the iron. If the stain has not disappeared, then the procedure is repeated;

Every housewife can clean upholstered furniture at home. To do this, you can use household chemicals. You can use folk recipes. They use soda, salt, vinegar and ammonia as a cleaning agent. When cleaning stains, you need to take into account what kind of fabric the furniture is covered with, so as not to spoil it when cleaning. To remove different types of stains, you need to use a certain tool. When using chemicals, precautions must be taken. A fresh stain is much easier to remove than an old one.

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Cleaning furniture from stains at home

The fabric, which is covered with upholstered furniture, loses its fresh appearance during use. Even a very tidy hostess, when sitting and lying on the couch for a long time, has greasy stains from sebum, clothes, and settling dust. If households like to eat or drink tea while sitting on upholstered furniture, then often greasy or colored stains from food and drinks remain on it.

Children in the house also add stains to furniture. Traces of dirty hands, lines from a ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen, plasticine, colored paints remain on the fabric. Animals love, running from the street, without having time to wash their paws, jump onto their favorite chair or chair. If the stain is not removed immediately, it can be extremely difficult to remove later.

When cleaning furniture, you need to take into account the specifics of pollution. A product that easily removes dirt may be useless when dealing with a felt-tip pen.

In large cities, there are many dry cleaners who clean furniture. But knowing how to clean upholstered furniture at home, you can do it yourself using household chemicals or folk recipes.

Safety and Precautions

When cleaning furniture, aggressive chemicals are most often used, so you need to work with gloves. Before use, you need to test the product on a small inconspicuous area of \u200b\u200bfurniture upholstery.

Without knowing the composition of the fabric, you can get a faded stain, hole or tissue damage. For example, flock does not tolerate alcohol. Microfiber fabric stains must not be cleaned with liquid products. Furniture covered with white fabric, eco-leather or leather must not be washed with colored sponges. There is a great risk that they will shed and ruin light-colored furniture.

Tools

No special tools are required to clean upholstered furniture. Every good housewife has everything you need:

foam or melamine sponges;
soft and hard clothes brush;
liquid soap;
detergents;
salt, vinegar, starch, ammonia, acetone, aspirin and other substances that are always in the house.

Cleaning algorithm

When starting to clean the surface, a certain sequence of actions should be followed. For any stain removal method, it is about the same:

Training. Prepare a solution to remove contaminants. It must be placed next to a dirty surface so that it is convenient to reach and use it.
Applying the product to the stain. The time of its removal depends on the severity and lifetime of the stain. The older the stain, the longer it will take to remove. First, the prepared mixture is applied to the contaminated area. The stain will be saturated with it and the process of destruction of pollution will begin.
Expectation. After 5-10 minutes, you can start removing the stain with a soft brush. You need to rub the area with smooth movements. The more fleecy the fabric, the more gently it needs to be handled, so that in the future there are no noticeable combed places after removing stains.
Removing chemicals from upholstery. After cleaning the stain, it is imperative to rinse the cleaning product from the upholstered furniture surface. A sponge or napkin is moistened in clean water and the cleaned area is wiped several times.

If after the performed operations the stain remains, the procedure must be repeated, increasing the waiting time for the destruction of the stain.

If the stains are few and far between, you can use special cloths to remove dust from the upholstery. Soak them in salted water and wipe the cloth. Then go over the surface with a soft brush, and then wipe the upholstery with a dry cloth or paper towel. This solution works well on most fresh stains.

From time to time you need to clean the sofas and armchairs with a vacuum cleaner. This will remove excess dust and liquids accidentally spilled on the sofa, will not mix with dirt and will be much easier to remove. When removing fresh stains, you can avoid their penetration into the depth of the material and complex cleaning that requires special techniques and household chemicals.

Types of fabrics and their cleaning

Different fabrics have different characteristics, and the general approach to cleaning fabrics often leads to undesirable results. When cleaning upholstery, consider the properties of the fabric:

The leatherette should not be cleaned with hard brushes and acidic chemicals. Cleaning is carried out with a regular sponge or a very soft brush. A melamine sponge slightly moistened with water is excellent for cleaning leatherette. It acts like an eraser to erase stains from the surface.
For velor, neutral detergents are used, which are applied with a damp cloth or cloth. The rag is led in the direction of the pile, leaving no excess moisture.
Do not use high temperatures when cleaning suede and nubuck. And it is also contraindicated to wet them too much.
The tapestry is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment. You cannot wash it.
Vinyl is an unpretentious fabric that tolerates most detergents and is not afraid of moisture.
The leather is wiped only with a damp cloth soaked in water or special means for leather products. In critical cases, you can apply a mild detergent solution to the stain, but immediately rinse and wipe the area dry without leaving streaks.
To clean white fabrics, use only white sponges and any optical brightener. Then wipe with a damp cloth.

If you choose the wrong stain remover, the upholstery of upholstered furniture can be damaged and its appearance can be even worse than before cleaning.

Different types of stains

Most often stains remain on upholstered furniture:

fat;
wine;
coffee, tea;
pieces of food;
cream;
plasticine;
paints;
urine;
cream.

And, of course, dust settles on upholstered furniture in any home.

There are two simple ways to clean upholstery dust. It is better to perform them consistently.

Knocking out. Furniture is difficult to take out into the street in order to beat it carefully. At home, it is impractical to do this, since the dust raised in the air will settle again on the sofa and on other objects in the room. You need to knock out upholstered furniture in the following way. A large sheet is moistened with water, wrung out. Then it is folded in two layers and the sofa is covered with it. The sofa is knocked out over the damp sheet. Dust, rising from the inner layers and the surface of the upholstery, will settle on the damp cloth. As a result, you can see that the sheet is dirty and the sofa is cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner. To thoroughly clean the sofa from dust, it is worth adding vacuum cleaning to the knockout. If the capacity of the existing vacuum cleaner is large and there is a nozzle for cleaning furniture, then the work will bring additional results and refresh the appearance of upholstered furniture. You need to go over the entire surface, including the back and armrests. Old vacuum cleaners often let some of the dust go outside, the low power of the device will not be able to get the dust from the deep layers of the upholstery, so there is little point in using such units.

After cleaning the furniture from dust, old stains left on the upholstery become more noticeable. Folk remedies will help to remove them correctly and effectively:

Tea and coffee - you need to immediately get wet with a dry napkin, then wipe the place thoroughly with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water with the addition of vinegar. For one liter of soap solution, take 2 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar.
Wine - remove the liquid that has not been absorbed into the fabric with a damp cloth, sprinkle the stain with plenty of salt, leave for 1 hour. Then brush off the salt crystals or vacuum.
Fruits, juices - apply a mixture of vinegar and ammonia (1: 1) to the stain, when the area dries up, wipe it with a clean damp cloth.
Do not spread chocolate or condensed milk on the surface. It is necessary to wait until the stain dries, carefully scrape off the dried crust with a spatula. Then go over this place with a soft brush and soapy water.
Greasy stains - cover with salt or starch, which will absorb some of the fat, then rinse.
Salinity - moisten with soapy water, then wipe with a clean damp cloth.
Chewing gum - peels off perfectly when frozen. Cool the place by placing a plastic bag with ice on top. After 10 minutes, it will easily come off the upholstery without leaving a trace.
Blood - under no circumstances should you use warm or hot water. Wipe as quickly as possible with a damp cloth soaked in cold water with aspirin and salt, until there are no more traces of blood on the cloth.
Ink - guaranteed to be removed with acetone contained in nail polish remover.

Any dirt and stains can be quickly washed off using the well-known Vanish product. In creating its formula, manufacturers took into account the properties of all fabrics and all pollutants. It successfully fights fresh and old stains. After 10-15 minutes. after applying it, the stains disappear. If Vanish is not there, you can use shampoo to create foam and add 3-5 drops of ammonia to the solution.

A great alternative to cleaning stains from upholstered furniture is steaming. If you have a household steamer or vacuum cleaner with a steam generator, you need to direct the steam jet to the dirty area. After 1 minute, walk over the place with a dry cloth.

Steam without excess moisture cleans the surface of the sofa and armchairs. In the process, odors are removed, color returns and refreshed, furniture is renewed. The steam from the appliance reaches the deep layers of the upholstery and destroys the bacteria living in it. It must be remembered that after such cleaning, the sofa must be thoroughly dried.

Strong-smelling stains

Special furniture shampoos can eliminate odors from drinks and liquids that have got on the upholstery. The product is diluted according to the instructions and the surface is treated. Sometimes the first time you can't get rid of the smell completely. The beer and urine smells are too persistent. If it was not immediately possible to wash off the liquid, and it got inside on the filler, the furniture exudes a sharp unpleasant smell for a long time, even if the stain is not visually noticeable.

Smells of fruit juices or beer can be removed with a solution of water and vinegar - 1 tbsp is taken for one liter of water. l acetic essence. A clean cloth is moistened with liquid, squeezed slightly and applied to the surface of a sofa or chair. Forcefully press the fabric against the upholstery of the sofa for impregnation. The processing is repeated several times. Then the sofa is thoroughly dried. The vinegar will fade in 2-3 days. You can add fragrances or fabric softener to the solution to add a scent to the furniture.

The smell of urine, especially cat urine, is much more difficult to remove. Upon decomposition in air, substances are formed that are practically insoluble in water. To remove persistent odors from upholstery and foam, you can try the following folk remedies:

The smell of human urine on furniture of dark colors is removed with the help of iodine tincture: 15-20 drops of 5% alcoholic tincture of iodine are dissolved in 1 liter of water. They clean the upholstery with this solution and try to moisten the filler to a great depth. Light upholstery should be cleaned with water and vinegar, lemon juice, mixed in a ratio of 2-3 tbsp. l. 0.5 liters of water, or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Traces of cat urine can only be removed in a few steps. To begin with, the entire upholstery is moistened with a solution (1 part of 9% vinegar to 3 parts of water), the furniture is dried. Then sprinkle the smelling surface with soda and spray hydrogen peroxide from a spray bottle on top (1 bottle for half a liter of water). The baking soda will begin to foam. It is left on the upholstery for 2-3 hours, then the dry residue is swept away with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Wipe the area with a damp, clean cloth.

Vanish carpet cleaner fights urine odor well. The powder is dissolved in water. The solution is moistened with the stain so that the product penetrates as deeply as possible. From above, you need to press on the upholstery so that the product spreads over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe stain. Then wipe the upper fabric dry and create conditions for drying the furniture. It is necessary to keep warm and good air circulation indoors for 3-4 days. After completely dry, vacuum thoroughly.

Measures to rid the upholstered furniture of contamination must be carried out at least 1 time per month, and if there are allergy sufferers in the house, then more often.

Any housewife knows how important it is to keep her own house clean. Dust cleaned in time, sanitary ware cleaned, floors washed will protect households from fungi and bacteria. However, if everything is clear with these nuances of cleaning, then the question of how to clean upholstered furniture is of interest to many lovers of order.

The importance of regular cleaning

Regular care of sofas and armchairs destroys dust mites. Insects feed on pieces of dead skin. They are not dangerous to humans, but an increase in their number threatens with unpleasant consequences. Insect waste can trigger allergies and asthma.

Basic cleaning rules

covers should not be washed in a washing machine, dried with a hair dryer;
you do not need to vacuum sofas and armchairs too often, you can spoil the pile;
do not apply chemicals directly to the upholstery;
using several products will ruin the pile;
after cleaning, the textiles dry themselves.

Upholstery types

Traditionally, there are two types of upholstery:

Tissue. The textile version is striking in the variety of fabrics. The composition may contain natural materials (cotton, linen), artificial (viscose) and synthetic (nylon, polyester, lavsan). Furniture with fabric upholstery is strong, durable, and affordable.
Leather (natural and artificial). Leather upholstery looks more respectable, but not cheap. During production, the material is impregnated with a special substance, this determines the durability during operation.

Care features

Before starting the process, you should make sure that there are no allergic reactions to chemicals. It is recommended to carry out manipulations with rubber gloves, while ventilating the room. Do not use too hard brushes.

Care of fabric upholstery

Each type of textile requires special attention. Therefore, first it is worth determining what material serves as upholstery:

Suede leather

The material is vacuumed and then passed through with a special brush. The dirt is removed with white vinegar, alcohol. To maintain cleanliness, it is recommended to treat the coating with a special protective spray.

Flock

The accumulated dust is removed from the surface with a damp sheet and physical effort. They put the fabric on the sofa and start knocking it out. Help in leaving:

washing powder diluted in water. Wipe dirty places with a moistened sponge. After 20 minutes of waiting, remove the leftovers;
crushed diluted laundry soap;
lemon juice. A few drops are needed per liter of water. Treat the sofa with a wet rag and leave for 15 minutes, after which they wipe the place with a clean sponge;
alcohol solution. A sponge moistened with a substance is treated with a place, if necessary, manipulations are repeated several times;
ice. If gum is found on the flock upholstery, you can get rid of it with a piece of ice. You should wrap the ice with a clean cloth, apply it to the gum and wait. When it hardens, gently remove it with a spoon.

Velours

The fabric itself is delicate; it is not recommended to use chemicals for cleaning it. You can remove contamination from the upholstery with diluted vinegar or liquid soap. At the end of processing, it is recommended to steam the fabric with an iron.

Jacquard

Covers made of jacquard can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature without a spin function. The jacquard upholstery is washed with diluted soap.

A clean, absorbent towel can remove grease stains from the surface. Lipstick marks and pens can be easily removed with diluted alcohol. Chlorine-containing substances and bleaches are contraindicated for cleaning jacquard.

Shinshilla

Textiles are washed with diluted soap, applying dry treatment, and stubborn dirt is removed. The fabric is not afraid of a vacuum cleaner, so you need to take care of it regularly with its help.

Mat

The fabric requires weekly maintenance, and you cannot use chemicals, do not dry after cleaning. The area of \u200b\u200bcontamination is pre-soaked and then carefully removed with a soft brush.

Tapestry

Textiles are distinguished by their unpretentious care. It is recommended to brush it periodically. If difficult to remove dirt appears, dry cleaning should be carried out.

Scotchguard

Cleaning with bleach is contraindicated on such surfaces.

Contamination is removed as follows:

an absorbent towel is placed on the stain;
the place is treated with soapy water;
after 5 minutes of waiting, the area is wiped off.

Courtesan

Due to the impregnation of the material with a special water-repellent substance, it is difficult to dirt. Since textiles do not perceive chemistry, it must be washed with diluted liquid soap.

Microfiber

The optimal cleaning tools are a soft bristled brush and a clean foam sponge. For processing, machine wash at 40 degrees is allowed.

Common stains are removed with a mild soap solution within 3-5 minutes, stubborn stains - with cleaning agents.

Silk

You should take care of him very carefully:

coarse and small debris is removed from the cover before cleaning;
with diluted powder for delicate fabrics, carefully treat the surface;
the fabric cannot be dried with a hair dryer or any other device.

Boucle

Dirt is removed with soap dissolved in water. Textiles do not accept the use of chemicals, bleaches.

Features of cleaning leather furniture

The leather sofa looks sophisticated in any interior. Leather is distinguished not only by its beauty, but also by its practicality in use. It is easy to look after her.

Several times a month, the material is treated with a special preparation with a protective function. It comes in the form of sprays, balms, ointments.

Natural leather care

Genuine leather has a specific smell. To get rid of it, sprinkle ground coffee over the surface. Since the product leaves traces, it is not recommended to carry out such manipulations on light-colored furniture.

The surface is cleaned with wax or colorless cream. Stubborn dirt is removed with diluted shampoo, oil traces are sprinkled with chalk powder.

Artificial leather cleaning

In terms of functionality, textiles are not inferior to natural materials.

The surface is cleaned with a roller or a soft cloth. To prevent frequent contamination, the surface should be treated with a protective spray.

Eco-leather furniture cleaning

In terms of wear resistance, eco-leather is not much different from artificial. They take care of her in a certain way:

once every six months, they are treated with a special water-repellent agent;
the accumulated dust is removed with a rag;
to maintain shine, special ointments or wax are used;
stubborn dirt is removed with diluted ammonia.

Faux fur cleaning

The material accumulates a lot of dust and dirt. Often, artificial fur is subjected to mechanical cleaning, which is fundamentally wrong. It becomes hard and unpleasant to the touch. For care use:

diluted liquid soap;
dissolved hydrogen peroxide;
soda mixed in an alcohol solution;
special gels for washing.

Store funds

A variety of household care products are presented on the shelves. Before buying, you need to read the information on the label. Cleaning products with a high chlorine content should not be purchased. It is best to choose the composition with the inscription on the bottle "with active oxygen". It is most effective against dirt.

Home remedies

Quite often, homemade solutions are better at dealing with dirt. Among them, the most popular are:

Vinegar. The product is considered one of the most effective. It is diluted with water and applied to the contaminated area. Used for textiles not sensitive to alkali.
Shampoo. The shampoo is diluted in warm water. 1 part contains 9 parts of water. The resulting liquid is foamed. The foam is applied without rubbing. After 45 minutes, the cleaned area is vacuumed.
Lemon acid. Well removes traces of mayonnaise, ketchup, coffee, tea drink. Used diluted. After applying it, the cleaned area is washed with a mild detergent solution.
Salt, Fairy, and vinegar. This mixture removes traces of fat, alcohol, coffee. Dishwashing detergent is mixed with vinegar and baking soda is gently added. The liquid is sprayed, after a few minutes it is wiped with a rag.
Ammonia and acetone. The ammonia works well with many stains of unknown origin. For the best effect, add at least 15 drops to the shampoo. Acetone removes traces of markers, crayons, ballpoint and gel pens. The area is abundantly moistened, slightly rinsed, and wiped dry at the end.
Vodka. An alcoholic drink is fine if you don't have diluted alcohol on hand. Vodka can be used to treat hard-to-reach places of natural or artificial leather furniture.
Soap. It is considered a universal remedy. Liquid soap is diluted, moistened with a napkin, wipe the surface in the direction of the pile. To remove traces from coffee, tea, diluted laundry soap is suitable.
Soda. Soda does a great job with dirt. The substance is sprinkled on the coating abundantly and left for 30-40 minutes. Also, soda is diluted in water 1: 3, sprayed onto dirt, leaving for a few minutes. Finally, the surface should be blotted with an absorbent cloth.
Other ways of leaving. In addition to the above ingredients for caring for a sofa, an armchair, sawdust of deciduous trees, or heated bran are perfect. They fight well with overgrown areas. Some decorative fabrics cannot be dry-cleaned; in this case, stains can be removed with a mixture of gasoline and washing powder. The substances are combined to form a slurry. The resulting mass is treated with textiles, left for several hours. The remains are removed with a napkin and hot water.

Basic rules for dry cleaning

Dry cleaning the fabric involves using a vacuum cleaner. It can be used to remove dust, animal hair, and other debris. Further, special household preparations (foam, or spray) are used. Only foam is applied to the fabric. Its remains are removed after a while (it is also indicated in the instructions).
Skin cleansing involves the same procedure. At the end of cleaning, it is recommended to treat the surface with a special agent.

Basic rules for wet cleaning

Wet cleaning is carried out using diluted vinegar, ethyl alcohol, soap, shampoo. Wet cleaning with a steam cleaner will also be effective. It not only fights stains, but also kills disease-causing bacteria, dust mites. This does not require special preparations, the hot steam jet removes almost any dirt. The only disadvantage of this method is the high price of the equipment.

Wet cleaning is not suitable for all materials. For example, silk does not tolerate contact with water. After spilling liquid, stains remain on the fabric. Suede also does not tolerate moisture, you should clean the material with extreme caution, apply a little solution.
Wet cleaning of the skin will be more effective than dry cleaning. The easiest way is to use soap. However, for more stubborn stains, ready-made chemicals are suitable. It is recommended that you read the product information before purchasing any of them. Some household preparations will easily cleanse natural skin, but will be destructive for artificial material.

Do not wipe the cover in a circular motion, as this can leave streaks on the upholstery. It is also not recommended to wet the napkin too much. Wipe the surface dry after wet processing.

Methods for removing various stains

By taking regular care of the coating, you can get rid of almost all types of dirt. The most common causes of contamination and how to remove them are shown in the table.

Urine	It is considered difficult to remove. It emits a specific unpleasant odor. You can get rid of it with soap, alcohol solutions, diluted lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide.
Fat	Traces of fat must be removed as they appear. You can sprinkle the stained fabric with salt and leave it on for a while. The use of ammonia is also suitable. For cleaning the skin, you can foam the chicken protein, apply it to the surface and leave it for a few minutes. Remove the remains with a cloth.
Red wine	Easily removed with laundry soap, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and liquid soap, or diluted alcohol.
Coffee and tea	It is necessary to blot with a cloth, gently treat with diluted soap.
Beer	Visible on white upholstery and can be removed with vinegar. Diluted, grated laundry soap will help to overcome the smell.
Berry juice	It is recommended to sprinkle the place with plenty of fine salt, removing the remnants later. You can also use a soapy solution.
Gum	Wrap the ice cube in a rag and attach to the gum. When hardened, gently peel off with a dessert spoon or a teaspoon.
Markers and pens	Alcohol is suitable for leather cover, dirt can be removed from the surface of the fabric with a stain remover, bleach, laundry soap, a mixture of lemon juice and soda.
Cosmetics	Lipstick marks disappear after using alcohol solution, dishwashing liquid, hairspray.
Wax	The place should be covered with a napkin and ironed with an iron.
Blood	Easily removed with cold water and laundry soap.
Juice	Diluted soda, a mixture of ammonia and vinegar will help.
Plasticine	The place is ironed through a paper towel. To remove residues, use ammonia, or acetone.

Features of cleaning light upholstered furniture

Light skin is recommended to be wiped with wet wipes daily. Sometimes diluted liquid soap can be used. Ballpoint pen stains are removed with glycerin. It is not recommended to use bleach as it can leave specific stains on the surface.

Light-colored fabrics should be vacuumed frequently. Fresh stains can be removed with mild diluted alcohol or with a steam cleaner.

Updating upholstery color

The color of the furniture can be restored with the help of special restorative household preparations - sprays, ointments. Wax or vegetable oil (in limited quantities) can give the coating its initial shine. It is not so easy to restore the former look of fabric. You can overtighten the sofa with new material, or put on removable covers. The best way to keep the fabric from getting old is to clean it up in time.

How to get rid of unpleasant odors

Traces of urine, beer, vomit can emit an unpleasant odor throughout the room. Sprinkle fresh dirt with baking soda or salt. Remove after 15 minutes. If there is a damp odor, the coating must be dried

How to remove greasy stains

Such stains are removed with a cloth soaked in glycerin, diluted ammonia, soap foam, soda.

It is better to clean the fabric material with a napkin; a soft sponge is used for the lint. So that there are no stains on the surface, the amount of solution should be taken to a minimum.

Removable covers protect the sofa from greasy stains. Read the labels before washing them. Not all fabrics can be washed by hand or in a washing machine. Some textiles require dry cleaning.

Cleaning services

If you do not have time to take care of the coating yourself, you can use the services of special organizations. Their price varies depending on the complexity of the pollution, as well as the size of the furniture. Specialists use vacuum cleaning, dry cleaning with special compounds and equipment, dry, wet cleaning. You can get acquainted with organizations of interest on the pages of social networks.

There are enough ways to clean upholstered furniture at home so that it always looks clean, tidy and well-groomed, and at best, looks like new at all. All existing home cleaning methods are usually divided into two types: cleaning with the use of special household chemicals and cleaning without the use of household chemicals.

Read in this article:

Cleaning with household chemicals

Before you undertake self-cleaning with the help of even specially designed, but, nevertheless, chemicals, you must make sure that:

firstly, the upholstery of upholstered furniture will withstand such tests without damage to itself,
secondly, to what type of upholstery the selected tool is suitable.

The fact is that different types of upholstery materials require a special attitude and the so-called individual approach, and for some upholstery fabrics, only delicate care is permissible.

Do-it-yourself cleaning of upholstered furniture at home requires a thorough and comprehensive study of the issue.

If your sofa or chair has removable covers, you can wash them with regular powder in the washing machine. But first it is necessary to find out whether automatic washing of removable covers is allowed: will the washing damage the fabric, whether the covers will deform, etc. But most often, delicate washing and gentle detergents can easily cope with dirty removable covers.
Anything that cannot be machine washed can be cleaned with a special furniture cleaner. But again, make sure the upholstery is safe before use. For this, a small test is carried out on an inconspicuous area of \u200b\u200bthe upholstery fabric. If the tested product did not damage the upholstery in any way, then it can be safely applied to the entire surface.
When applying the cleaning solution, it is important not to overdo it with wet products, because furniture that is too wet at home is difficult to dry out. In addition, there is always the risk of uneven application or rinsing of the cleaning fluid, and this most likely means that it will not do without streaks.
After complete drying, the cleaning and detergent residues are usually collected with a vacuum cleaner. Manufacturers of modern household chemicals argue that the question of how you can clean upholstered furniture from stains of various origins, dirt and grease at home can be completely closed when using this cleaning method.

Cleaning furniture at home without the use of chemicals

If for some reason cleaning using household chemicals is impossible, for example, if very susceptible animals, small children or allergy sufferers live in the house, then for these cases there are several ways that make it possible to put the furniture in order without using chemicals.

How to remove some types of tough stains

The easiest way to deal with "fresh" dirt and stains. Instant cleanup of a freshly prepared stain is capable of completely removing dirt without compromising upholstery or finish.

Fresh red wine stains are removed from light-colored upholstery with salt - it draws out liquid and prevents it from absorbing into the soft seat. After drying, the stain is treated with a weak alcohol solution, for example, vodka diluted in water.
Remove stains from melted candles with a warm iron and paper towel. To do this, cover the stain with a napkin and iron it with a warm iron.
Chewing gum stuck to the upholstery can be peeled off with ice. Cover the gum stain with ice, previously wrapped in a plastic bag, and after it freezes, gently scrape off the upholstery with a thin and hard object.

Cleaning a sofa or other upholstered furniture has its own characteristics. With proper use, you can quickly and accurately get rid of any stain with the means at hand.

If you don't know the type of fabric and the nature of the stain, you may ruin your furnishings. To avoid such a situation, a number of rules and recommendations are required.

Any piece of furniture has its own nuances that need to be considered when cleaning. For upholstered furniture, the basis of cleaning is the choice of a means and method corresponding to the type of upholstery material.

How to prepare furniture and cleaners

First, if possible, the nature of the contamination is determined and a product is selected that will remove the stain without damaging the fabric.

You will also need to free up a small area for the procedure and prepare a vacuum cleaner, rags and brushes.

How to apply the cleaner to fabric

The selected agent is applied to the entire surface of the contamination. If the nature of the stain allows, you can resort to a soft brush, with its help the product will interact more with the dirt.

How much to wait

With fresh stains, ten to fifteen minutes is enough; with old stains, you will have to wait at least half an hour. If you start cleaning right away, the result will not be optimal, since the cleaning agent that has not completely saturated the stain has not yet had time to react with it.

How to remove a stain correctly

Any contamination after impregnation can be removed with a damp sponge or cloth, if necessary, you can use soft brushes - this will depend on the nature of the contamination. If the dirt cannot be removed from the first attempt, the procedure is repeated. The cleaning process is carried out with gentle strokes along the pile of the upholstery from the edge of the stain to the middle.

When removing stains from fabric upholstery, the sofa must not be heavily wetted.

The need for additional processing

Wipe the cleaning site with a damp cloth again. You can wipe the entire sofa so that there are no clear boundaries from the removed stain. After that, the fabric must be thoroughly dried with a hairdryer or a fan with warm air. After the piece of furniture is dry, you can use it.

Cleaning features

There are a number of simple rules for cleaning upholstered furniture that you need to remember:

The cleaning procedure does not use hard brushes;
It is not recommended to use several cleaning agents at once, as this can lead to additional reactions and destruction of the fabric.

Simple rules will help you clean your sofa correctly and without negative consequences.

What means can you clean the sofa

You can choose absolutely any tool. It is not necessary to use household chemicals and special detergents. For the full removal of stains, you can use the tools at hand, which are always at home.

How to clean with baking soda

For some types of fabrics, baking soda will work well. It is often used together with detergents to remove even stubborn greasy stains.

You can try removing fresh grease stains with baking soda powder. To do this, cover the stain with soda, distribute it evenly over the stain. After a few minutes, carefully remove the baking soda that has absorbed the fat with a small brush. After that, the fabric must be wiped with a damp cloth and dried.

How vinegar is used

Vinegar is considered one of the best remedies for tough stains. It is enough to dilute it with water and apply to the spot area.

It is required to remember that the fabric should not be overly sensitive to alkaline and acidic substances.

After the vinegar soak, the sofa should dry completely. Then wipe the spot with a damp cloth or sponge.

Using Vanish

A popular stain remover can also be used to clean your sofa. When dirty, a layer of cleaning foam is evenly applied to the stain and left on for a while. Traces of fruits and berries, fat can be easily removed with Vanish.

Use with caution on leather and silk upholstery.

Steam cleaner application

Use a steam cleaner only if the steam does not damage the sofa upholstery. When applying, it is required to observe a certain angle of inclination and the correct temperature regime. Using a technical tool, dissolve the stain and wipe off its remnants with a soft cloth.

Combining ways

With vinegar, baking soda, and detergent available at home, you can create a versatile cleaning agent. To do this, add a couple of tablespoons of soda and a little vinegar to soapy water. This mixture is applied to the contaminated area, after which the fabric is allowed to soak. After washing the stain, let the fabric dry.

More detailed instructions on how to clean the sofa in a combined way are contained in the video.

Cleaning different types of fabrics

Each fabric has its own set of characteristics, so a general approach will not always be appropriate.

There are different cleaning methods for each type of upholstery.

Dermantin cleaning.

Dermantin is very sensitive to stiff bristles and acidic products. Therefore, the brushes are selected soft, and all cleaning, basically, is carried out with a sponge, leaving no wet spots behind.

How to clean velor.

For velor, neutral cleaning agents are used, which are applied using a damp cloth or special napkin. When cleaning, excess moisture is removed, and the rag is led in the direction of the pile.

Cleaning suede or nubuck.

Suede should not be wetted too much, while it also does not like high temperatures.

Tapestry cleaning basics.

The tapestry is most often vacuumed using a soft nozzle. Such fabric cannot be washed categorically.

Vinyl upholstery.

Vinyl can be vacuumed and washed with most cleaning products. One has only to follow the rules and not mix substances.

Leather furniture care.

The skin is wiped with a damp cloth. Most of the products will stain it, so a mild detergent solution is used, which must then be rinsed off and wiped dry.

White fabric.

For white fabrics, use a regular stain remover. Vanish is perfect for white upholstery. In case of heavy pollution, it is better to use dry cleaning services.

Each fabric requires special care, so it is important to choose your cleaning agent carefully.

With the wrong choice, the appearance of the sofa can be greatly affected, since a number of fabric types are very sensitive to external factors.

The nature of stains and how to clean the sofa upholstery

Stains are different in nature, so before starting cleaning, you should, if possible, find out the type of stain. This will help you find the best product and quickly remove the dirt.

Removing juice stains.

These types of stains can be removed by wetting the area with a mixture of ammonia and vinegar.

Traces of coffee or tea.

Tea or coffee can be easily removed with a vinegar and soda solution. You can also use lather.

Chewing gum marks.

Removing the gum leaves a small stain that can be removed with liquid soap and acetone.

Blood stains.

Fresh blood can be removed with water and laundry soap, and old blood drops can be easily washed off with a salt solution.

Greasy stains.

The grease is washed off with any vinegar solution that has been mixed with a regular detergent.

Odor and urine stains.

A strong solution of laundry soap perfectly removes urine.

Dirty stains.

Ordinary dirt can be removed with dish detergent, water and a sponge.

Traces from the cream.

The cream can be removed with a mixture of regular soap and dishwashing detergent.

Beer.

The beer is removed with a dishwashing detergent to which water and two tablespoons of vinegar are added.

Wine.

Wine can be removed by wiping with a rag dipped in vodka and salt.

Contamination with chocolate.

The chocolate is removed with a solution of regular or liquid soap.

Ink stain.

Ink can be removed with bleach and laundry soap.

When cleaning the sofa, the following rule must be observed - it cannot be wetted too much, since the deeply penetrated moisture will not dry out and the filler may become moldy.

When using any liquid products, you need to gently blot the stain with a cloth or sponge.

Removing greasy stains

Any greasy stain can be removed from your sofa upholstery with a simple recipe:

Two glasses of water;
Two tablespoons of salt;
A little washing powder, after which everything is stirred.

After applying the solution, you need to wait about fifteen minutes. The rest of the solution is washed off and the stain is dried.

Removing odors from upholstered furniture

Any odor is perfectly removed with laundry soap, which must be diluted in water.

After this procedure, the stain is wiped with a cloth soaked in water with the addition of aromatic oil or dishwashing gel.

Restoring the color of the sofa

To refresh the color of your sofa, use table vinegar in any carpet cleaner. Such a tool will remove unpleasant odors, stains and renew the color.

Cleaning the sofa from dust

How to knock out correctly.

Put wet gauze or a sheet on the surface of the sofa. Then the sofa must be knocked out. All dust during this procedure will be absorbed into the wet matter.

Vacuum cleaning.

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the sofa. To do this, you need to use a narrow nozzle for removing dust from the corners of the sofa or a special nozzle for upholstered furniture. You can wrap a regular nozzle with a cloth dipped in a solution of salt and water, one to one.

How to get rid of dust.

There will always be dust on the surface of the sofa. To avoid this pollution, you can buy a special case. It is necessary to clean the surface of the sofa from dust at least once a week.

Features of upholstered furniture care

In the care of upholstered furniture, there are a number of rules that must be followed in order to preserve the integrity and beauty of the upholstery.

Vacuum cleaner.

Using a vacuum cleaner without attachments, including special attachments, is not recommended. This is due to the fact that, with strong absorption, the tissue loses its elasticity.

How to avoid divorce.

So that after cleaning the upholstery does not leave stain boundaries or streaks, you need to wipe the entire sofa with a slightly damp cloth.

Avoiding moisture.

To avoid waterlogging and damage to the fabric, it is necessary to use only those methods that do not damage the type of upholstery. Blot damp areas with a sponge, paper towels.

Care rules.

The main rule when caring for upholstered furniture is to match the means and method of cleaning the upholstery fabric.

You cannot take the sofa out onto the balcony and hang it to dry, therefore, to avoid excessive moisture and the appearance of mold or mildew, you do not need to wet the stain too much. Choose a cleaning agent and method according to the type of stain and the type of upholstery.