Maintaining Your Upholstery Between Professional Cleanings

June 15, 2024 | UpFront | Upholstery Cleaning

Table of Contents

TL;DR: Given the high costs of replacing furniture, maintaining upholstery is a smart investment. Regular professional cleanings and proper upkeep between appointments can keep furniture looking new. This article offers practical advice for maintaining upholstery, such as regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, using slipcovers, applying fabric protectors, rotating cushions, and dealing with odors using ventilation, baking soda, and white vinegar. Annual professional cleanings are recommended to preserve furniture longevity. For those in Katy, TX, UpFront Home Services provides expert upholstery cleaning to keep your furniture in top condition.

Many homeowners put much effort and time into picking the right furniture for their space. Furniture reflects their taste and personality, and the personal touch can turn a house or apartment into a real home. Since you use furniture daily for relaxing, working, or hanging out with friends and family, it can get dirty and show signs of wear fast.

Given the high costs of replacing or reupholstering furniture, taking proactive steps to care for your pieces can be a wise investment. A recent survey revealed that most Americans don’t buy new furniture in 2.85 years following the most recent purchase, and only around 44% of participants expressed satisfaction with how their current furniture looks. The cause of dissatisfaction might be due to the fabric fading and damage.

While regular professional cleanings will keep your favorite couch or armchair in good condition for many years, maintaining your upholstery between appointments will also help keep it in mint condition. This article will cover practical and easy advice for maintaining your upholstery between professional cleanings. By applying these simple tips, you will enjoy a cleaner, more inviting living space that looks and feels new.

Regular Cleaning Practices

One critical step in maintaining your upholstery is addressing messes and spills as soon as they happen. Allowing even the smallest spill or food crumbs to linger can leave stains or damage on your pieces that are hard to remove.

This is why homeowners must vacuum and spot-clean regularly. Vacuuming helps remove loose dirt and crumbs from the surface while spot-cleaning targets specific areas that have suffered spills or stains.

Vacuuming

Try vacuuming your upholstery at least once weekly to remove accumulated particles from the material. Use the right attachments, such as an upholstery brush and a crevice tool, to clean effectively and avoid damaging the fabric. The upholstery brush helps lift dirt from the fabric, while the crevice tool can reach tight spaces and seams.

For the best results, try vacuuming in different directions so that you can remove all the dirt. By making these practices a routine, you will maintain the cleanliness and integrity of your upholstery, making it look fresher for longer.

Spot Cleaning

You must handle spills immediately to avoid staining the fabric. Don’t rub the area when dealing with a spill. Instead, blot it with a clean cloth. Blotting absorbs the liquid without pushing it deeper into the fabric. Use a gentle detergent when spot cleaning. Here’s a step-by-step process:

Blot the liquid with a dry towel to absorb most of it.
Use a towel to apply the cleaning solution to the fabric.
Don’t over-saturate it.
Gently dab the stain with the towel.
Go over the stain with a damp towel to eliminate cleaner residue.
Blot to dry.

Protecting Your Upholstery

The best way to avoid stains and fabric damage is to find a way to shield the furniture from potential damage. You can create a protective barrier to keep the upholstery safe from dust and wear by spraying a fabric protector, laying down a slipcover, or simply rotating the cushions to get even use.

Using Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a versatile and effective first line of defense for your upholstery. They are easy to remove and clean, providing a quick solution if anything spills on them. With a wide range of colors, patterns, and materials available, you can easily find a slipcover that complements your existing furniture and home decor, giving you the power to protect your furniture without compromising style.

Applying Fabric Protectors

Fabric protectors are a spray that repels liquids and prevents stains on upholstery. They don’t change the look or feel of your upholstery, making them an invisible shield against potential damage. Applying them to your furniture is also easy. All you have to do is:

Ensure the upholstery is clean and dry.
Cover the surface with the solution
Let it dry completely before using the furniture.

For the best results, reapply the protector every six months or after a thorough cleaning to maintain its effectiveness.

Rotating Cushions

Rotating the cushions means each one gets the same amount of use, preventing certain ones from sagging and getting worn out faster. This keeps the shape and comfort of your cushions so they stay firm and supportive even with regular use. Try to rotate your cushions every few weeks, flipping them over and switching their positions.

Dealing with Odors

If you want a fresh and inviting living space, you must remove unpleasant odors from your upholstered furniture. Studies show that synthetic fabrics retain more odors than natural materials, meaning your furniture may require more frequent attention depending on its material.

Regular Ventilation

Keeping your room well-ventilated is the fastest way to prevent musty smells and mold growth in your furniture. To get fresh air into an area, open a window or use a ventilator. Try to place your upholstered furniture in areas with good airflow. This practice will keep your home smelling fresh and help reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew, which thrive in stagnant, humid environments.

Baking Soda

Baking soda absorbs odor naturally. It also works fast and is very affordable. It can remove even the most stubborn smells from pets, food, sweat, or smoke. To use it:

Sprinkle a generous amount over the surface of your furniture.
Cover all areas, especially those prone to odors.
Allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes to absorb the unwanted smells fully.
Thoroughly vacuum the upholstery to remove all traces of baking soda.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can easily eliminate odors from furniture. Mix white vinegar and water in a sprayer with a 50:50 ratio to create a vinegar spray solution. Lightly spray the solution onto the fabric, taking care not to wet it too much. Then, leave the upholstery to air dry. The smell of vinegar will disappear as it dries, along with the other unpleasant odors. This method addresses strong, lingering smells and can be repeated as often as needed.

Professional Upholstery Cleaning: Why and When

Professional cleaning is the most effective way to preserve your upholstery. The deep cleaning process professional use can remove deeply embedded particles and contaminants that you can’t reach with simple vacuuming. Such thorough cleaning improves the appearance and freshness of your furniture and helps it last longer.

We recommend having your upholstery professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you have pets, their fur and dander can quickly accumulate, making cleaning your furniture more often necessary.

If someone in your household suffers from allergies, regular professional cleaning can help reduce allergens like dust mites and pollen. Heavy furniture use, such as in a busy household with children, also calls for more frequent cleanings to keep it looking and smelling fresh.

Refresh Your Upholstery in Katy, TX

Maintaining your upholstery between professional cleanings is quite simple. Regularly vacuum your furniture using the upholstery attachment, and address spills immediately to prevent stains from setting. Rotate cushions to distribute wear evenly and keep your furniture looking fresh. However, the secret ingredient to fresh-smelling and new-looking upholstery is professional cleaning.

To give your furniture a deep clean, look no further than UpFront Home Services in Katy, Texas. Our team offers comprehensive upholstery cleaning using advanced techniques and safe products, keeping your furniture in top condition. With extensive training and certification, our technicians provide reliable, high-quality service.

Our easy online booking and commitment to customer satisfaction make us a top choice for maintaining your upholstered furniture. Our expert tips and professional service are a winning combination, so call us today!