Is there someone in your family who suffers from severe allergies that tend to worsen indoors? You may have irritants in your upholstery, such as dust mites, which are causing them to react!
Unfortunately, upholstery is a perfect breeding ground for these microscopic animals, especially if you don’t clean it thoroughly every few months. Furthermore, we all know that stains and trapped odors in areas like the sofa aren’t pleasant to look at or smell.
You should hire expert home cleaners to undertake a deep clean now and then. Meanwhile, a homemade upholstery cleaning will give your upholstery a great refresh.
Continue reading to find out more about a few DIY upholstery cleaning ideas!
Begin by vacuuming. It’s critical to get your vacuum’s hose attachment out before you begin scouring with your homemade upholstery cleaner. Shampooing the fibers and breaking up various oils and other chemicals that produce stains and odors can be done with sprays and pastes. They will not, however, assist you in removing the dust and grime from beneath the surface.
Remove the cushions and vacuum below them when vacuuming your upholstered armchairs and couches. Before replacing the cushions, vacuum each side of the cushions as well as the furniture’s back and arms. If you omit this step, your cleaning will only serve to grind the dust deeper into the furniture.
Make Your Homemade Upholstery Cleaner. It’s time to mix up your cleaner once you’ve completed vacuuming! White vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and other common household items can be used in a variety of ways.
Always spot test a new cleaner on a section of the upholstery that is out of sight when you’re trying it out. (Think of the bottom of a cushion.) This way, you can make sure the solution won’t change the color or material before applying it to the remainder of the furniture.
In addition to upholstery, these techniques will also work on carpeting and draperies!
Rubbing Alcohol Mixture. You’ll need rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and clean water to make this solution. For convenient application, we recommend combining it in a spray bottle.
Combine 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and about 1 cup water in a mixing bowl. Before using it on your upholstery, make sure to give it a good shake.
You can add a little less water to your mixture if you’re dealing with stubborn stains. If the fabrics in concern are sensitive, dilute the solution with more water.
Spray the solution on the upholstery and let it sit for two minutes. Scrub in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth. Allow time for the upholstery to dry naturally.
A mixture of Laundry Detergent. If you don’t have any rubbing alcohol on hand, we’ve got another option for you that uses a product you almost certainly already have: laundry detergent! Instead of using a spray bottle, mix this solution in a bowl.
2 tbsp. laundry detergent, 2 tbsp. white vinegar, 2 tbsp. baking soda, 2 tbsp. warm water It’s fine if you don’t have baking soda on hand, however it does a fantastic job of neutralizing scents!
Dip your microfiber cloth into the solution and rub it in a circular motion into your upholstery. Allow for air drying of the upholstery.
Tough Stains using Baking Soda Paste. If you have some deep, dark stains on your upholstery, consider using a baking soda paste to remove them.
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into a mixing basin to make your paste. Mix everything with a few teaspoons of water in the bowl. As needed, add extra teaspoons of water until you have a thick yet spreadable mixture.
Baking soda is a wonder cleaner in general because it is a mild alkali that penetrates grease and filth and breaks down the molecules. Apply a liberal amount of baking soda paste to upholstery stains and let it sit for a few minutes for the best results. Then, using your microfiber cloth, scrub it into the affected area.
You can use either of the above solutions to remove the paste and clean as directed. Allow the upholstery to air dry after that.
Essential Oils with a Refreshing Aroma. Ingredients like rubbing alcohol and white vinegar have their distinct odor, which you may not enjoy. It’s worth mentioning that both of these scents will fade after a few days, carrying any foul smells with them. However, there are a few essential oils that you can add to your DIY upholstery cleaning to make it smell amazing right away.
Citrus oils are always a good choice because they smell fantastic and have disinfecting properties. If you prefer a citrus scent, we recommend lemon or orange.
Consider lavender essential oils if you want something relaxing. Rosemary or lemongrass can be used for your upholstery cleaner as well.
