How to Clean Old Dirt from Sofa Armrests at Home • Velor upholstery

Any housewife knows how important it is to keep her own home clean. Timely dust removal, cleaned plumbing fixtures, and washed floors will protect households from fungi and bacteria. However, if everything is clear with these cleaning nuances, then the question of how to clean upholstered furniture is of interest to many who love order.

How to clean a sofa from dust at home?

The easiest and most effective way to get rid of dust from the entire surface of the sofa is to use a damp sheet. To do this, you need to completely wet it, wring it out well (it shouldn’t be wet!) and cover the sofa. After this, you should knock out the sofa.

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Features of caring for different upholstery of upholstered furniture

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 brushes that are too hard.

Caring for fabric upholstery

Each type of textile on upholstered furniture requires special attention. Therefore, you should first determine what material serves as the upholstery.

Suede

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

Flock

Accumulated dust is removed from the surface using a damp sheet and physical effort. The fabric is placed on the sofa and they begin to beat it out. Help with care:

• washing powder diluted in water. Use a moistened sponge to wipe dirty areas. After 20 minutes of waiting, the remains are removed;
• crushed diluted laundry soap;
• lemon juice. A few drops are needed per liter of water. Treat the sofa with a wet cloth and leave for 15 minutes, after which the area is wiped with a clean sponge;
• alcohol solution. Treat the area with a sponge soaked in the substance; if necessary, the manipulations are repeated several times;
• ice. If chewing gum is found on the flock upholstery, you can get rid of it with a piece of ice. Wrap the ice in a clean rag, apply it to the gum and wait. When it hardens, carefully remove it with a spoon.

Velours

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

Jacquard

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

A clean, absorbent towel can remove grease stains from such surfaces. Traces of lipstick and pens can be easily removed with diluted alcohol. Chlorine-containing substances and bleaches are contraindicated for cleaning jacquard.

How to remove coffee stains from clothes, furniture and carpet

Shinshilla

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

Gozhka

The fabric requires weekly care, and do not use chemicals or dry it after cleaning. The area of ​​contamination is pre-soaked and then carefully removed with a soft brush.

Tapestry

Textiles are distinguished by their ease of care. It is recommended to clean it with a brush periodically. If dirt that is difficult to remove appears, dry cleaning should be carried out.

Scotchgard

Cleaning such surfaces with bleach is contraindicated.

Contaminants are removed as follows:

• an absorbent towel is placed on the stain;
• the area is treated with soapy water;
• After waiting 5 minutes, the area is wiped clean.

Courtesan

Due to the impregnation of the material with a special water-repellent substance, it is difficult to get dirty. Since textiles do not react to chemicals, they need to be washed with diluted liquid soap.

Microfiber

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

Regular stains can be removed with a mild soap solution for 3-5 minutes; difficult to remove stains can be removed with cleaning agents.

Silk

You should look after it very carefully:

• Before cleaning, remove large and small debris from the surface;
• Carefully treat the surface with diluted powder for delicate fabrics;
• The fabric cannot be dried with a hairdryer or any other device.

Boucle

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

Features of cleaning leather furniture

This upholstered furniture looks elegant in any interior. Leather is distinguished not only by its beauty, but also by its practicality in use. She is easy to care for.

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

Natural leather care

Genuine leather has a specific smell. To get rid of it, you should scatter 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 stains are removed with diluted shampoo, oil traces are sprinkled with chalk powder.

Cleaning artificial leather

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

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

Cleaning eco-leather furniture

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

• once every six months they are treated with a special water-repellent agent;
• accumulated dust is removed with a rag;
• To maintain shine, special ointments or wax are used;
• Persistent stains are removed with diluted ammonia.

Cleaning faux fur

The material accumulates a lot of dust and dirt. Faux fur is often subjected to mechanical cleaning, which is fundamentally wrong. It becomes hard and unpleasant to the touch. To care for such upholstered furniture use:

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

Basic rules for dry cleaning upholstered furniture

You can keep the coating clean using various ready-made sprays, foams, and special preparations. For regular dry cleaning, it’s worth stocking up on them for future use. Sprays are already ready for use; other substances must be diluted in water according to the instructions. Before purchasing, you should collect information about the product you are interested in and read reviews.

• Dry cleaning of fabric involves using a vacuum cleaner. It can be used to remove dust, animal hair, and other debris. Next, special household preparations (foam or spray) are used. Only foam is applied to the fabric. Its remains are removed after some time (it is also indicated in the instructions).
• Cleaning the skin involves the same algorithm of actions. At the end of cleaning the surface, it is recommended to treat it with a special product.

Updating the upholstery color of upholstered furniture

The color of furniture can be restored using special restorative household preparations - sprays, ointments. Wax or vegetable oil (in limited quantities) can give the coating its original shine. Returning the fabric to its original appearance is not so easy. You can reupholster the sofa with new material, or put on removable covers. The best way to prevent a fabric covering from “aging” is to clean it in a timely manner.

Special household chemicals for stains on fabric

You can remove stains from sofa upholstery using household chemicals. In stores you can find special foams and sprays for cleaning upholstered furniture:

Nordland

Foam for cleaning upholstered furniture made of natural and synthetic upholstery. The product is sprayed onto the sofa in a thin layer from a distance of 25 cm. Then brushed over the surface. The foam is left until completely dry, after which the sofa is vacuumed.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• old stains may not be dealt with the first time;
• if applied excessively, streaks will form;
• takes a long time to dry.

Apply the composition using a sponge to the entire surface of the sofa, rub in, and leave for two hours. After which the sofa is vacuumed.

Advantages:

• removes fresh stains;
• removes unpleasant odors.

Flaws:

• Several applications are required to remove heavy stains;
• may lie unevenly on the upholstery;
• divorces remain.

Vanish

Spray for cleaning carpets and upholstery is sprayed onto contaminated areas. Then it is gently rubbed with a soft cloth. Leave until completely dry. After which the sofa is vacuumed.

Advantages:

• removes stains;
• has no unpleasant odor;
• ease of use.

Flaws:

• divorces remain;
• Doesn't remove old stains the first time.

Price: 380 rubles. Step-by-step instructions on how to clean the Vanish sofa without damaging the upholstery are presented in this article.

Homemade products for cleaning upholstered furniture

Quite often, solutions prepared at home cope better with stains on upholstered furniture. The most popular among them 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 that are not sensitive to alkali.
• Shampoo. The shampoo is diluted in warm water. For 1 part there are 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 using it, the cleaned area is washed with a weak solution of washing powder.
• Salt, Fairy and vinegar. This mixture removes traces of fat, alcohol, and coffee. Dishwashing liquid is mixed with vinegar and soda is carefully added. The liquid is sprayed and wiped with a rag after a few minutes.
• Ammonia and acetone. Ammonia copes well with many stains of unknown origin. For the best effect, add at least 15 drops to the shampoo. Acetone removes traces of felt-tip pens, colored pencils, ballpoint and gel pens. The area is moistened generously, rinsed lightly, and finally wiped dry.
• Vodka. An alcoholic drink is suitable if you don’t have diluted alcohol on hand. Vodka can be used to treat hard-to-reach areas of furniture made of natural or artificial leather.
• Soap. It is considered a universal remedy. Liquid soap is diluted, a napkin is moistened with it, and the surface is wiped in the direction of the pile. To remove stains from coffee and tea, diluted laundry soap is suitable.
• Soda. Baking soda works great on dirt. The substance is generously sprinkled onto the coating and left for 30-40 minutes. Also, soda is diluted in water 1:3, sprayed onto the dirt, leaving for several minutes. Finally, the surface should be blotted with an absorbent cloth.
• Other methods of care. In addition to the above ingredients, sawdust from deciduous trees or heated bran are perfect for caring for a sofa and chair. They fight well against glossy areas. Some decorative fabrics cannot be dry cleaned; in this case, stains are removed with a mixture of gasoline and washing powder. The substances are combined until a slurry is formed. The resulting mass is treated with textiles and left for several hours. Residues are removed with a napkin and hot water.

Vanish – a universal assistant for cleaning home furniture

Ammonia

A solution of ammonia is an excellent way to remove greasy stains from elbow pads.

1. Dilute ammonia with water in a ratio of 1:20.
2. Wipe the greasy armrests with a piece of cloth soaked in the solution (The structure of tissues of living organisms is studied by the science of histology)
   .
3. After cleaning, treat the sofa with a damp sponge.

To clean stains, you can use an aqueous solution of ammonia with the addition of vinegar in a ratio of 20:1:1.

General recommendations and advice

When talking about how to clean a sofa from old stains and dirt, it is worth determining the type of material from which the upholstery is made :

• products made from genuine leather and leather substitutes cannot be cleaned using an iron, hair dryer, very hot liquids, as well as powders and other household chemicals containing abrasive particles;
• furniture upholstered in flock or velor cannot be cleaned with chemicals or household products containing alcohol;
• jacquard and chenille, as well as matting and microfiber cannot be too wet, so wet or dry cleaning is recommended;
• Furniture with light upholstery should be cleaned with light-colored napkins or fabrics, as colored materials can fade;
• tapestry cannot be wet, so it is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, suede - with a brush.

Before using any product, it is worth conducting a mini-test by applying it to a small area of ​​upholstery. When choosing how to clean a fabric sofa from grease and dirt, never use undiluted vinegar or bar soap . The latter must be mixed with a large amount of water, preparing a strong solution.

Methods for removing various stains from upholstered furniture

By regularly caring for the coating, you can get rid of almost all types of dirt. The most common causes of contamination and methods for their removal are given in the table.

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Simple rules

Despite the simplicity of the recipes, home cleaning has its own subtleties. Rules to help avoid unpleasant surprises:

1. Before dealing with stains on your sofa, vacuum the upholstery.
2. It is better to cover the fittings with film.
3. The floor near the sofa is covered with oilcloth or an old sheet.
4. You can avoid streaks by applying the composition to the entire surface.
5. Detergents containing chlorine are prohibited.
6. Light upholstery should only be cleaned with a white cloth.

Precautionary measures

First of all, you need to take care of yourself and your loved ones. The products used in dry cleaning have an alkaline or acidic structure. They do not harm the fabric, but can harm the skin or cause allergies. Therefore, working without rubber gloves is strictly prohibited.

Many detergents contain volatile substances that can cause burns to the mucous membranes. Therefore, it is better to use a mask, even if the room is well ventilated. This rule also applies to homemade solutions using alcohol and ammonia. Volatile compounds of these substances can pick up and transport harmful elements released during the cleaning process through the air.

It is imperative to isolate children during dry cleaning.

Any product, whether made independently or purchased in a store, should first be tried on an inconspicuous part of the furniture. It is better to do this from the back of the sofa. After applying the solution, you should let it dry. If it does not damage the fabric or its coloring, you can safely use the product on the entire surface. There are fabrics for which there are restrictions on the use of certain chemicals:

1. Flock is afraid of alcohol.
2. Artificial suede and microfiber do not like water. Dry clean only.
3. When cleaning jacquard, the temperature of the washing solution should be no more than 40 degrees.
4. Plush and velvet can be damaged by aggressive detergents.
5. Velor does not tolerate abrasives well.
6. When cleaning scotch guard, do not use bleach.

The use of bleaches, acetones, and acids in their pure form is strictly prohibited. They can only be used in small concentrations. Very hot water can age the upholstery, colors will fade, and elasticity will disappear. Apply cleaning solutions only to a sponge or brush, and not to the sofa cover. Light-colored upholstery should only be cleaned with white cloths, otherwise it may become stained. A poorly washed fabric will be destroyed by residual detergents, so you should carefully remove all traces of cleaning.

After studying the simple instructions, everyone will become a specialist no worse than a professional from a cleaning company. If the owner himself takes care of his favorite furniture, he will do a much better job. The money you save can be spent on sweets and eaten with a cup of fragrant coffee, sitting comfortably on a clean, favorite sofa. But at the same time, we should not forget about caution so that we do not have to start dry cleaning at home again.

Laundry soap

An effective cleaning agent is ordinary laundry soap:

1. Grate 50 g of laundry soap.
2. Beat soap shavings in 1 liter of warm water until foam forms.
3. Apply foam to the sponge and wipe the contaminated areas with it, leave for 10-15 minutes.
4. Use a damp cloth to remove any remaining soap.

Instead of whipping up foam, you can rub a piece of laundry soap onto the moistened dirty stains, then treat the cleaned areas with a damp sponge.

Basic rules for wet cleaning of upholstered furniture

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

• Wet cleaning of fabric is not suitable for all materials. For example, silk does not tolerate contact with water. After liquid gets into the fabric, stains remain. Suede also does not tolerate moisture; the material should be cleaned with extreme caution and a little solution should be applied.
• 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. Before purchasing any of them, it is recommended that you read the product information. Some household preparations can easily clean natural leather, but can be destructive for artificial materials.

Do not wipe the covering with circular movements, as this can leave streaks on the upholstery. It is also not recommended to wet the napkin too much. After wet treatment, the surface must be wiped dry.

How to remove greasy stains from upholstered furniture

Such stains can be removed with a rag soaked in glycerin, diluted ammonia, laundry soap foam, and soda.

It is better to clean fabric material with a napkin; use a soft sponge for lint. To ensure that there are no streaks left on the surface, the amount of solution should be taken to a minimum.

Removable covers will protect the sofa from greasy stains. Before washing them, you should read the information on the labels. Not all fabrics can be washed by hand or in a washing machine. Some types of textiles require dry cleaning.