Upholstered chairs are a beautiful addition to the household furniture collection, but the primary concern of homeowners is cleaning upholstered chairs. You will be delighted to know that cleaning them is a DIY task and doesn't require professional help. Little care and regular cleaning can maintain the beauty of upholstered chairs. There are homemade cleaning ideas that can be used to clean chairs without spending much on expensive chemical detergents. In this blog, we discuss different ways to clean upholstered chairs.
What Should Be the Frequency of Cleaning Upholstered Chairs?
The cleaning depends on the use of the chair and its wear and tear. If chairs are used daily, then frequent cleaning is required. You can clean the chair once a week by vacuuming the dust, and you can clean hair using a special brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner. Steam cleaning is another way to clean upholstered chairs once a year to remove germs, allergens, and pests. The steam cleaner disinfects the upholstered chair.
Benefits of Using a Natural Cleaner for Upholstered Chairs
Natural cleaners have umpteen benefits. They are eco-friendly, reduce environmental impact, don't damage the fabric when cleaning, maintain healthy indoor air quality, and enhance their durability. Another feature is that even an individual with an allergy can use the natural cleaner because these cleaners are hypoallergenic.
Diy Steps to Clean an Upholstered Chair Naturally
There are different steps involved in cleaning upholstered chairs, such as vacuuming, spot cleaning, and homemade cleaning solution. Here is the detailed information about the cleaning hacks:
Tools and Materials Required for Cleaning:
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A vacuum cleaner
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Spray bottle
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Water (warm)
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Vinegar(white)
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Laundry detergent or mild dish detergent
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Baking soda
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Soft brush
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Microfiber cloth
1. Prepare the Area Around the Chair for Cleaning
Before beginning the cleaning process, prepare the area around the chair. All you have to do is shift or move any item around the chair to have enough space for cleaning without interruption.
2. Vacuuming the Upholstered Chair
The next step is vacuuming. Regular vacuuming is one of the easiest steps to maintain a dust-free chair. You can vacuum chairs once a week or whenever you clean the floor, because cleaning the floor can lead to dust accumulation on the couch. If chairs are not cleaned immediately, the dust particles get stuck in the threads of the fabric, making it difficult to remove them later. Here is the step to vacuum chairs:
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Gently dust off the cushion, somewhere outside.
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Vacuum the bigger area of the chair, like the back and seat, using an upholstery attachment.
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To remove the debris accumulated in the crevices of the furniture, use a narrow head attachment.
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If you notice dust in the smaller areas of the chair, sweep the dust using a soft brush and then vacuum again.
3. Spot Test
Before using the cleaning mixture/solution on the chair, test it on an insignificant area of the chair, like under a cushion, to check for any discoloration or damage.
4. Use Baking Soda to Clean the Chair
At this step, grab baking soda from your kitchen cupboard and freshen up the chair. Make a solution using 150gm of baking soda and 5-6 drops of any essential oil of your choice. Spread a thin layer of mixture on the fabric and leave it for 20minutes. Then, vacuum the chair using the upholstery attachment.
5. Vinegar Can Also Be Used to Clean Upholstered Chairs
The other alternative method is to use vinegar instead of baking soda. Vinegar is also a natural cleaner that removes light stains and neutralizes odor. Preparing the mixture is easy- take an equal part of white vinegar and water and fill a spray bottle. Then, sprinkle the mixture on the fabric and dab it gently with a clean microfiber cloth. Vinegar is preferred because it's an eco-friendly option and does cleaning work without damaging the fabric.
Common Household Products, Apart From Baking Soda and Vinegar, to Clean Upholstered Hair
Dish Soap
Dish soap can also be used to clean upholstery. Dish soap mixed with warm water makes a perfect mixture to remove stains.
Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol effectively removes the ink stains from the upholstery. Use a cotton ball to rub alcohol on the stain and blot with a clean cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide
A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) is an effective method to disinfect the upholstery. It also removes the stain.
How to Remove Tough Stains From Upholstered Chairs?
If the stain on the upholstery is tough, apply baking soda paste on the stain and scrub the stain.
| Some Tips | Test the mixture on a small, insignificant area of the chair to check for damage or discoloration of the fabric. |
How to Dry an Upholstered Chair?
It's important to dry the upholstery immediately after cleaning, before the fabric absorbs the moisture. Here are some tips for drying:
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Soak the excess cleaning solution from the fabric using a clean towel.How to Remove Tough Stains From Upholstered Chairs?
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If the weather in your area is warm, open the windows and doors during cleaning and allow warm air to come in and do the drying work.
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The option is to take the chair outside to air-dry in the shade. However, keep an eye on the wind because strong winds can lead to dust and debris accumulation on the freshly cleaned chair.
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To dry the chair indoors, switch on the fan on high settings for better ventilation.
Conclusion
Cleaning upholstered chairs naturally is an easy and affordable task. It's a DIY task which doesn't require any professional help. You can follow the simple steps discussed in this article and use baking soda or vinegar because both are natural cleaning options.
