How to clean a chair
No living space can do without upholstered furniture. Nowadays, any housewife knows that removing stains can be quite problematic. For high-quality cleaning of upholstered furniture, you need to know which product is suitable for a particular material. After all, the consequence of a bad choice can be not only a bad result, but also a forever spoiled appearance of your favorite sofa or chair.
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General rules for cleaning upholstered furniture
Before you start removing dust or stains, remember a few simple rules. This will allow you to avoid unforeseen situations in the future. Among the rules for cleaning furniture, the most important are:
- You should always play it safe and test the cleaning product on an area of furniture that is not visible;
- upholstery in light shades should be cleaned only with white material, otherwise the furniture can be stained with dissolved dye contained in the fabric;
- do not use the vacuum cleaner on plush material, flock, velor, chenille;
- Do not use products containing alcohol on flock upholstery - otherwise it will be damaged;
- Avoid strong and highly chemically active substances, such as bleach and concentrated vinegar.
REFERENCE! If you need to get rid of dust in upholstered furniture, use a wet and well-wrung out sheet. To do this, just cover the furniture with it and start knocking it out. The dust will remain on the sheet.
Cleaning upholstery made from different types of fabric
When choosing a method for cleaning furniture, you first need to consider the type of upholstery. Different materials require different means. The concentration of the substance will also need to be taken into account. After all, what will help greatly in one case will greatly harm in another.
From flock
Flock is a very delicate material and will have to be handled delicately. In this case, you cannot use a vacuum cleaner. This will damage the pile and ruin the texture of the fabric. Dust will have to be removed with a soft brush, and grease stains and others will have to be removed with a foamy soap solution. The popular Vanish remedy is suitable for this.
Large dried pieces cannot be removed using rough tools. For these purposes, a soap solution is used, which must be applied to the stain and wait until it dissolves. Afterwards you need to wipe everything with a dry cloth or napkin.
Made from velor
Velor, just like flock, requires gentle handling. Harsh chemicals are not suitable here. To remove stains you need to use soap solutions. Slightly stubborn stains can be removed with a cloth soaked in a weak solution of vinegar (1 teaspoon per liter of water).
In this case, a soft brush or sponge will help to cope with dust or animal hair. It is advisable to clean in the direction of the pile.
How to clean a tapestry surface
Tapestry covering prefers dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. Wet stain removal can ruin the look of your furniture. If the vacuum cleaner does not help, use a soap solution. This should be done carefully, applying only foam to the stain.
How to clean leather furniture
Furniture upholstered in leather or leatherette is less demanding in terms of care and cleaning products. The only thing you need to remember is that you don’t want to overdo it with moisture. Basic methods for cleaning leather furniture:
- To remove dust and light stains, use a damp cloth. If this does not help, you can use a weak soap solution.
- Regular vacuuming will improve the appearance of the product and increase its service life.
- The easiest way to get rid of a felt-tip pen drawing is to spray hairspray on it. Then wipe with a dry cloth. Instead of varnish, you can use a solution of ethyl alcohol (one to one).
REFERENCE! A good way to care for leather furniture is regular egg white. If you wipe the upholstery with it, it will take on a fresher look.
Universal anti-pollution products
Most stains and dirt can be easily removed using general cleaning products. The only thing worth paying attention to is whether they will harm a particular type of upholstery. Among the most popular:
- Soap solutions. Foam applied to the surface will not harm most coatings. After some time, it will deal with the stain, after which it can be removed with a soft cloth. To obtain a soap solution, use the popular Vanish product or simple laundry soap.
- A mixture of shampoo and ammonia. You will need a little shampoo or Fairy dishwashing detergent and ten drops of ammonia. The resulting liquid should be applied for ten minutes. Then remove with a dry, clean cloth.
- Weak vinegar solution. Dilute two tablespoons of vinegar in a liter of water. Apply to the surface, then remove with a soft cloth and water.
After using all of the above products, be sure to completely remove them from the surface of the upholstery.
Fighting certain stains
Different types of pollution require different approaches. Some stains, such as urine, for example, emit a specific odor and require immediate removal. Here is a list and ways to eliminate some of them:
- Fat. First, get rid of the excess. To do this, sprinkle with talcum powder (you can use salt). After some time, remove the absorbent with a dry cloth. Apply soap suds to the surface and let it dissolve the grease. Afterwards, rinse off the soap with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Gum. First you need to freeze it. You can do this with ice. Afterwards, the frozen chewing gum can be easily removed with a blunt, hard object. Remove the remaining stain with an alcohol solution.
- Blood. It is removed with a vinegar solution, after which the area is washed with soapy water. If the stain is old, applying ice to it will make the task easier.
- Wax. To remove it, you need to apply a cotton cloth to the stain and run an iron over it. The wax melted in this way will be absorbed into the attached material.
- Red wine stains. Removed with ethyl alcohol. Afterwards you need to wipe with a napkin or rag soaked in soapy foam.
- Urine. To remove a stain, you need to moisten it with a 9% vinegar solution. Let it sit for a while. Afterwards, wash with soapy water and then with clean water. Dry the stain.
The main thing when cleaning furniture is to be sure that the product used will not harm. If you make the wrong choice, you can forever ruin the look of your favorite sofa or chair.