Upholstery Cleaning Tips
and Techniques

Upholstery cleaning tips and techniques for fabrics that have absorbed the dirt, body oil, and germs of daily life.

They need a bath to get them ready for another season of living - and for that close inspection from visiting friends and family during the entertaining season ahead.

Soft, porous surfaces like upholstered furniture can be a tough lot to clean. Take your comfy couch, for instance. 

While the soft, porous fabric makes it dreamy to lounge on, it also makes it a veritable nightmare to clean, as the interwoven fibers provide plenty of places for germs to hide. 

The good news is you can keep furniture clean and looking presentable. With these upholstery cleaning tips and techniques you can send the nasty interlopers packing yourself.

Cleaning Codes for Upholstery

Before you begin, locate the manufacturer's care tag on the sofa cushions or chair to see its recommended method of overall cleaning.

Much like clothes care labels with symbols that communicate washing and drying instructions, there are cleaning codes for upholstery.

Here's how to decipher upholstery cleaning codes you're likely to see on your care labels:

0 = Clean with cold water because the upholstery is made from organic materials.

S = Clean with a mild water-free dry-cleaning solvent. Use a small amount of solvent and ensure adequate ventilation. Do not use water or water-based products on this item.

W = Clean with a water-based product, such as a bit of foam from a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Use as little foam and water as possible to do the job; you don't want to get the upholstery too wet. Moisture encourages the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

WS = You can use a water-based dry-cleaning solvent, the foam of a mild detergent, or upholstery shampoo.

X = Don't clean it yourself. You can, however, vacuum or brush off surface grime. Hire an upholstery cleaning service when a deeper cleaning is required.

A Word About Zippered Cushion Covers

By the way, zippered cushion covers do not mean you can or should remove the covers for cleaning separately. The zippers are there to provide a tighter fit.

If you clean covers separately, they may shrink, tear, or discolor. It's deceptive, I know. I've bought couches myself based on the mistake notion that I could clean the removable covers. 

When you're ready to clean upholstered furniture, follow these four basic steps.

Four Upholstery Cleaning Tips and Techniques

1. Start with a Vacuum. Vacuum the surface, cushions, the body below the cushions (where crumbs, quarters, and remote controls hide), and behind and under the furniture pieces.

Then brush with an upholstery brush to dislodge surface dirt and dust, following the vacuum path so you don't miss any area. Vacuum the dislodged dirt.

2. Get on a Couch Cleaning Roll. Go over the main body and cushions with a lint roller, following the path of the vacuum and brush. This will bring out stubborn pet hair and resistant dust. 

3.  Clean with Foam. This step is for water-tolerant upholstery only - do not use it if your upholstery is coded S or X.

Whip equal parts dishwashing liquid and water. Apply the resulting foam to the upholstery. Gently work the foam into the upholstery fabric with your fingertips, being careful not to strain the fabric. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

4. Blot-Rinse (Don't Saturate). Again, this step is for water-tolerant upholstery only; do not use it if your upholstery is coded S or X.

Remove the soapy foam from the cleaned areas using a sponge dampened with water. This will be easier if you have a bucket of clean water handy. Blot dry with a microfiber or cotton cloth, absorbing as much moisture as possible. Let air-dry completely before the family takes a seat.

Finally, for those really tough stains, here's how to remove them from upholstery. 

How to Protect Upholstered Furniture

The good news is you can keep couches and other upholstered furniture nice. Here are some key ways to protect your furniture.

• Treat fabrics with a fluorochemical solution to make them more stain-resistant. This is an invisible finish that coats the fabric so that spills and dirt don't penetrate as quickly or easily. It's safe for most fabrics.

• Protect furniture from direct sunlight.

• Rotate and reverse cushions occasionally so they will fade evenly and receive equal wear.

• Vacuum furniture month was a soft brush attachment.

Furniture Wearability Codes

In addition to the upholstery cleaning code, manufacturers use a wearability code to gauge how well a particular fabric will hold up under use. 

Next time you're shopping for furniture, ask about the wearability of the various fabrics. Then go for the one that will take the most abuse. Here's how to break the secret code:

HD = Heavy duty. This is what you want for your high traffic areas. 

MD = Medium duty. This is what you want in your living or family room. 

LD = Light duty. This is rather delicate fabric. Use it for entertaining.