- Before making any decisions on cleaning the upholstery, check the content label on the furniture. You can clean polyester and other types of synthetic materials without damaging the fabric. Natural fabrics, such as silk or anything with more than 50 percent cotton, as well as leather, should be professionally cleaned.
- When using upholstery cleaning products, presoak any stains with the cleanser first before putting water on the fabric. Use a mild solution of the cleanser and avoid saturating the fabric. Also avoid getting the metal parts of the furniture wet, as they will rust. Use only as much force as needed when rubbing or scrubbing the cleaning solution into the upholstery so it doesn't weaken the fabric. Extract as much of the solution and water as possible by blotting with a clean white cloth towel or white paper towel. Allow the fabric to air dry completely; using a fan can speed the process.
- The moistened towels that come in "dry cleaning at home products"--such as Dryel or Dry Cleaner's Secret--can be used to clean upholstery. Rub the moistened towel on the fabric and use a white paper towel or white cloth towel to blot up excess solution. If the moistened towel doesn't work on stains, Dryel has a bottle of spot remover that can be used.
Products for cleaning car upholstery, such as Tuff Stuff or Armor All, can also be used on some household upholstery. - Carpet cleaning machines have attachments that can be used on upholstery. The cleaning solution is mixed with water inside the machine and sprayed onto the fabric through the hose and upholstery attachment. Some of these machines will extract the dirty water and some machines allow users to alternate between cleaning solution mix and clear water in order to rinse the cleaning solution from the fabric. If you don't want to purchase one, these machines can be rented at grocery stores, big box stores and home improvement stores. Use the suggested cleaning product with these machines.
- Vacuum the furniture periodically between cleanings and vacuum it completely before cleaning. Wipe spills up immediately, using a blotting--not wiping--motion. The sooner a stain is treated, the easier it is to remove. Always test any upholstery cleaner in an inconspicuous spot and let it dry completely before applying it to the entire piece of furniture. Whether spot cleaning or cleaning the entire couch, use the recommended amount of cleaning solution; more is not always better and excessive amounts can create problems trying to extract all of the solution from the fabric. When in doubt about cleaning the upholstery, hire a professional cleaner.
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