Unfortunately, kids, pets, and spills don’t usually add to the longevity of furniture. Even if you don’t have pets or kids, accidents and messes happen in our home all the time. Getting your furniture professionally cleaned is expensive and not cleaning it at all can lead to bacteria build-up. Gross! From leather to granite, we are going to teach you how to deep clean all your furniture!
Leather
Leather furniture is such a great option for families with pets or children because it doesn’t easily stain and it’s simple to clean. To clean leather furniture you’ll need:
- Warm water
- Saddle soap (leather soap)
- Soft rag
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swab
- Leather cream
Use your rag and saddle soap to wipe down the whole couch. For tougher stains like ink, apply some rubbing alcohol using a cotton ball to the stained area. Avoid getting the rubbing alcohol anywhere else. After you’ve cleaned all the spots and stains, use soft towels to dry the couch. To ensure your leather is soft, pliable, and moisturized, evenly apply leather cream to it using a rag.
Polyester
First, you’ll want to vacuum your polyester furniture. Next, roll a lint roller all over to pick up any stray hairs. Now on to deep cleaning! It’s important to know that there are different types of polyester fabric. These different types require different care. Check the sofa/chair tag for this information.
- O: Wash using cold water.
- X: Vacuum and brush alone, or hire a professional cleaning company.
- W: Use a water-based detergent with a steam vacuum.
- S: Use only a dry-cleaning detergent.
- WS: Water-based detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent.
If your couch doesn’t have removable cushion covers, you may have to opt for professional cleaners or you can clean it by hand. Take your cleaning solution (the one that matches your fabric type) and apply it to the stained areas of your couch. You can use a soft bristle brush or rag and softly scrub the solution into the fabric. Try to use warm water and wash out as much cleaner as possible. Leave it to dry in the sun, next to a fan, or use a blowdryer to speed up the process. After it is done drying, use your dry bristle brush to softly brush over the cleaned spot. That will help the material fluff back up and look brand new!
If you are looking to get rid of your couch’s stinky smell, evenly sprinkle baking soda over it, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then vacuum up the powder. If you are going to use the baking soda method, do it before you do any deep cleaning. You do not want your couch to be wet when you apply the baking powder.
Suede
Suede is very gorgeous but it is also very delicate. Suede and microsuede are different and should be cleaned differently so it is important to know what your furniture is made of.
If liquid spills on your suede couch, get a dry cloth and try to absorb as much liquid as possible by pressing the cloth down and lifting it straight up.
If liquid spills on your microsuede couch, pour a small amount of either rubbing alcohol or white vinegar on a soft cloth and rub the stain in a crisscross pattern. Try avoiding aggressive motions that could damage the fabric.
For dry stains that cannot be removed by the previous methods, use a suede eraser or soft nail file. After, brush the couch using a suede brush to make it look natural. Experts recommend brushing your couch weekly to keep it looking crisp and new. To get rid of crumbs and hair simply vacuum your suede or microsuede furniture.
Wood
The number one thing to remember when cleaning wood furniture is to not let any liquid soak into the wood. If liquid soaks into the wood it can warp, discolor, and/or ruin the wood. All you need to clean your wood furniture is liquid dish soap and warm water. All dish soaps react differently to wood, so you’ll need to test yours. Pour a small amount of dish soap on a cotton ball then rub it on a section of wood that won’t be easily seen, like the inside of a chair leg. If there are no negative side effects, you should be okay to clean using your soap. If the soap causes discoloration, mars the finish, etc. just use water.
Mix water with a few drops of dish soap in a bucket. Take a rag, get it damp, and clean off your furniture.
If you want your furniture to shine like new, pour some wood oil on a rag and lightly grease the wood. Not only will wood oil will make your wood furniture look shiny and new, but it can also help protect against scratches. This tip applies to wood floors as well.
Granite
Granite is a popular material used for countertops and tables. Granite is easy to maintain and doesn’t require any crazy cleaners. While granite is less porous than marble, it is still important to clean up messes right after they happen. To clean granite all you need is water and mild dish soap. Use a soft rag and warm, soapy water to wash over the granite. Don’t use Windex, bleach, or vinegar on granite. These cleaners are too acidic and can damage your granite and its sealer.
To clean stained granite, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply it to the stain and then wipe it off. For extremely tough stains, apply the paste and leave it overnight until it dries. Then take warm water and a rag and clean it off.
We hope you’ve learned something new about keeping your furniture in tip-top condition! What furniture are you going to attempt to clean today?