Tips for Cleaning Upholstery with Water and Baking Soda

Upholstered furniture is an easy target for all kinds of stains and spills. It’s also usually a large investment, so it’s no wonder you’re worried about the right way to maintain its original looks. 

The safest way, of course, is to hire one of Dublin’s professional upholstery cleaning services to handle the job instead of you. But if you’re tempted to deal with stains on your own, it’s good to know which mistakes to avoid, as well as learn how professional upholstery cleaners do it. 

So, what must you know before you start cleaning your upholstered furniture? What household items can be helpful in fighting some typical stains? Keep reading to find out!

Can you put water on upholstery? 

Can you put water on upholstery? 

Although water is known to leave dried watermarks on certain types of fabric sofa, this is not to say that you can’t use it at all. To check if your furniture is safe to clean with water, always read the labels for manufacturer’s recommendations. The codes in the manuals are usually as follows: 

  • W stands for water, which means that your furniture can be cleaned with water and water-based cleaning agents. 
  • S means solvent. This type of furniture should only be cleaned with water-free dry cleaning solvents. 
  • SW means that you can clean the piece with either water-based products or dry-cleaning solvents. 
  • X means the only type of cleaning that’s safe for your upholstery is vacuuming or brushing it. 

How do you get water stains out of a couch? 

Water creates stains by dislodging the finishing agents found in many types of upholstery. This can cause unsightly water rings on your surfaces. Here are a few tricks to remove them:

  1. Fight water with water: Dampen the whole surface of your furniture piece with water from a damp towel. Dampen a clean towel, wring it thoroughly and brush the entire surface in the same direction. Follow by brushing with a clean dry towel, to dry as much as possible and then leave to air dry.
  2. Vinegar: Mix two cups of white vinegar with a cup of hot water and dampen a clean white cloth with the solution. Dab at the stain. Take a soft bristled brush and brush over in circular motions. Leave for about half an hour, then rinse with a damp cloth and let air dry. Repeat if necessary.
  3. Rubbing alcohol: Mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with half a cup of warm water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the stained area with the mixture, making sure you use the right amount to cover the stain. Using a soft bristled brush or a toothbrush, rub the surface in circular motions. Leave the alcohol to work for about 10 minutes. Rinse with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
Can baking soda clean upholstery?

Can baking soda clean upholstery?

Baking soda is such a versatile household item that it can even be used to clean furniture. To get deep stains out of your couch, you might have to try other methods, but if you want to get rid of unpleasant smells and break up lighter stains, baking soda is the way to go. And here’s how to use it:

  1. Sprinkle the surface with baking soda generously.
  2. Leave to sit for at least 20 minutes.
  3. Vacuum the baking soda using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum.

Where in Dublin can I get the best upholstery cleaning services?

If you’re looking for reasons to hire reputable upholstery cleaning company with years of experience in the field, Emerald Carpet Cleaning is the perfect choice for you. We are an award-winning company that offers the services of trained and seasoned technicians, at your service 7 days a week.

Take your loved ones for a walk in Ellenfield Park while our experts rid your furniture of stains and harmful allergens. Schedule your service today!