If you’re like most people, you don’t give your house a whole lot of TLC until it’s time to take care of spring and fall cleaning, and another year has slipped into the past. By then, your home is overrun with dirt and grime. The key to having a well-kept home at all times is making regular minor touch-ups.
Cleaning for dust and occasional stains is manageable with simple materials found around the house. However, different kinds of upholstery require different cleaning techniques, so knowing how to care for your upholstered furniture is crucial to prevent premature wearing and staining.
Steam cleaners are specifically designed to get dirt, stains, mildew, and grime out of your furniture. The steam is hot enough to kill germs and remove discolorations but gentle enough to use on delicate fabrics or more sensitive upholstery.
Get the Right Equipment
Cleaning upholstery quickly and thoroughly is key to maintaining its appearance. Careful inspection of the upholstery before you start cleaning will help you choose the right steam cleaner. Padding may be made from sponge, felt or cotton, each requiring different cleaning methods.
The steam cleaner kit should have a variety of brush attachments with different shapes and sizes so you can clean between cushions, reach buttons and other small areas, and reach the seam between the carpet and the wall. These tools allow you to manually scrub your upholstery without causing damage or leaving behind streaks.
Vacuuming and Pretreating
Whether you’re new to steam cleaning or a seasoned pro, the first step of any project is to vacuum thoroughly. This helps remove as much surface dirt as possible and lets you be as thorough as possible with your spot treatment. When cleaning upholstery, begin by vacuuming it with a soft-bristled attachment to give the steam cleaner a head start in lifting dirt.
However, some stubborn spots may not respond to a simple vacuum. In these cases, pretreating will make a big difference in how well it cleans up. To remove a spot, pretreat the stain with a mild detergent and water before applying a dry cleaning solvent.
Hire Professional Cleaners
It is important to note that your upholstery will require a professional’s maintenance schedule if it is subject to a lot of dirt. If you have kids or pets, it’s necessary to hire a steam cleaner specializing in upholstery. Professional steam cleaners are specially trained in the art of deep cleaning upholstery.
While you could probably do a decent job on your own with a good steam cleaner, hiring a professional can save you time, money, and hassle. It’s not always easy to determine whether or not your upholstery needs to be professionally steam-cleaned. Professional cleaning is recommended depending on how often you use your furniture and the dirtiness of the fabric.