Upholstery Cleaning Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Professional Surface Restoration

Cleaning furniture is a delicate process. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help furniture last longer, but improper techniques can cause furniture to smell like mildew or leave stains on the fabric surface. Review these important tips before cleaning any of your upholstery.

Determine the Material

It is important to know exactly what kind of material you are dealing with before attempting to clean your furniture. If it is wood, you need a cleaner made for wooden furniture, and you can simply wipe down the hard surface. Furniture with a fabric covering is a little bit more difficult. Some fabrics can take a stain remover or a cleaner, while others say to vacuum only. It is a good idea to read the tag on the furniture before attempting to remove a stain or dirt and follow the instructions on the tag to avoid damage to the upholstery.

Vacuum the Surface

To start, vacuum the surface of the furniture. Remove any pet hair, surface dirt, or other debris. Remove cushions and vacuum underneath where crumbs and dirt accumulate fastest. By using the attachments on the vacuum, you can get down into the crevices and closer to the surface, effectively removing contaminants. For an even deeper clean, sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the fabric and let it sit for up to an hour. The baking soda will help absorb any odors in the fabric. When time is up, simply vacuum it up and enjoy the fresh smell.

Remove Stains

To remove stains, you can either opt for a commercial stain remover or make your own. Homemade cleaners are typically better for the environment and for your wallet. Try these homemade cleaners for best results:

• For fabric stains, mix together 1 tablespoon dish soap, ¼ cup of vinegar, and ¾ cup of warm water. For synthetic fabrics, increase to ½ cup of vinegar and 1 cup of warm water. Spray the stain and rub with a clean cloth. Use a second clean cloth with plain water to remove any traces of the cleaning solution. Allow to dry or blot with a towel.
• For leather furniture, use a mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil and ¼ cup vinegar. Spray on leather with a spray bottle and wipe with a clean cloth.

For tough stains, it is best to call in the experts. Proper cleaning and maintenance of your furniture will allow you and your family to enjoy your investment for years to come. Professional Surface Restoration offers free estimates with no obligation. Contact us or call (419) 705-8693 to set up an appointment.

When the furniture needs cleaning, most people try to save money by attempting to remove the stains themselves. Many don’t realize that furniture is commonly upholstered with fabrics that don’t react well to certain chemicals and that typical cleaning methods often cause even more damage. In fact, most furniture requires specific chemicals and tools that most people do not own.

Professional upholstery cleaning service technicians are experts in handling these chemicals and working with specialized tools to clean and remove stains of all types. If you’re on the fence about whether to hire a professional, consider the following three reasons you should call an expert for your next upholstery cleaning.

Knowledge

When it comes to cleaning furniture, one must understand that the fibers in furnishings are often fragile and need to be handled with care. To prevent needless damage, it is important to know which chemicals can be used on which fabrics. The truth is that most people do not have this type of knowledge on hand, whereas professional upholstery cleaners have the expertise to determine what fabrics and chemicals are incompatible with one another.

Many fabrics are also difficult to handle, making them more likely to be damaged when an untrained person tries to remove a stain. Professional furniture cleaners know how to deal with a variety of fabric types and can agitate each correctly and safely. Having a professional’s knowledge of chemicals cleaners and fabrics is extremely helpful if you have furniture with no cleaning tag attached.

Tools and Equipment

In addition to being fragile and difficult to manage, the fabrics in furniture upholstery do not work with generic cleaning products and procedures. Often, upholstery stains require specific types of cleaning solutions, which most homeowners do not own. Also, specific furniture designs require the use of special tools to achieve a thorough cleaning. At the end of the day, purchasing these tools is not a cost-efficient option for homeowners, so the best idea is to hire a professional cleaner and save yourself the expense and hassle of learning how to use the equipment.

Protection

Many homeowners value their furniture and see it as an investment. And like any other type of investment, furniture requires attention and care to stay in good condition. A genuine attempt to save money by cleaning the upholstery yourself can end up costing you more in the end if you ruin your furniture. Professional cleaners can also offer you advice for handling spills and keeping your furniture in the best condition possible, so you have the information you need to manage stains in the future without accidently damaging your upholstery.

Professional Surface Restoration offers free upholstery cleaning service estimates with no obligation. Contact us to set up an appointment.