Upholstery Upkeep

Upholstered armchairs and sofas are comfortable andto react in the manner most appropriate to the type of
attractive additions to any home. When neglected,spill. For liquid spills, don't rub the spot, BLOT. Use a
however, upholstery can quickly turn into next year'sfresh, clean paper towel. For food or solid spills, first lift
yard sale's featured item. Help the upholstered furnitureas much of the spill as possible with a dull knife or a
in your dining room, living room, family room andspoon, scraping gently towards the center. For powder
bedroom last for years and years, by getting to knowor cigarette ash spills, don't add a liquid or rub. Instead,
the ABC's of upholstery preventative and correctivevacuum up the spill.
care.When remnants of the spill still remain, use a fabric
Stop Damage Before it Occurscleaner. Here are some guidelines:
Protect Upholstery from: SUNLIGHT, NEWSPAPER1.
INK, FABRIC DYES, PAINTS & POLISHESCheck manufacturer's label for cleaning instructions
Allow common sense to dictate what you should keepand recommendations.
from harming your upholstered furniture. Sunlight will1. Codes on the labels are as follows:
fade upholstery, so keep your upholstered couches,1. W=water based cleaning agent;
armchairs and ottomans away from the window, or2. S=water-free solvent;
else well-shaded. Put your newspaper on a coffee3. WS=water based or water-free agent okay;
table or side table, to avoid ink damage to your4. X=clean only by vacuuming or light brushing.
upholstered furniture.2.
Other items that can cause permanent damageTest water or cleaning agent in a hidden area of the
include dark-colored sheets and blankets, for whenupholstered furniture before applying to the stain.
damp or wet, the dark dyes on these fabrics can rub3.
off and ruin your upholstery. Finally, paints and polishes,Be patient when applying cleaning agent. Go slowly to
such as nail or shoe polish, should never be used onavoid causing a ring or spreading the stain. You may
upholstery. Make sure to cover your upholsteredneed to use several doses, blotting each time with a
furniture when painting your living room, dining room, orclean paper towel. Only blot, never rub.
bedrooms!4.
Keep it Clean!Use a fan or cool blow dryer to speed up drying
1: Vacuum, 2: Damp-Dust, 3: Professionally Cleanprocess, working from outer edge of spill to inner. If
Cleaning upholstered furniture is easy as 1, 2, 3. First,velvet, use a brush on fabric before it dries.
Vacuum as often as possible. Second, damp-dust5.
arms and headrest areas with cleaning solutionIf a stain remains, call a professional cleaner.
recommended by the manufacturer. Third, indulgeProtect, clean and care for your upholstered sofas,
occasionally in professional cleaning for maximum dirtchairs and loveseats using these tips and guidelines.
and dust particle removal.With a little attention, the upholstery in your living room,
Here's a tip for keeping your favorite chairs & couchesdining room, family room and bedrooms will look
clean: Don't be fooled by the zippers on thosefantastic for a long, long time.
cushions: the cushion covers are NOT meant to bePlease find the original article and more information
removed and washed separately! Before you vacuum,about this subject at
remove the cushions. Beat them, rotate them, thenIf you would like to publish this article on your own site,
vacuum them.please feel free to do so. Please let us know the URL
911 Emergency Careof the posted article by emailing the URL to All we ask
Blot, scrape, vacuum. Read label, match spill withis that you include the whole article, without changes,
remedy.including the link to the original article location, author
Spills happen. The key to avoiding a permanent stain isinformation, this disclaimer and the following link.