Everyone owns upholstered furniture, but few people know how to clean it without hiring experienced professional cleaners. No need to worry, though. While Dublin’s upholstery cleaning professionals are definitely faster and better equipped for the job, this doesn’t mean you can’t handle some aspects of upholstery upkeep on your own. With the right tools and a few common household supplies, you can single-handedly achieve amazing results.
In previous articles, we explained how professionals clean upholstered furniture and how to avoid making common upholstery cleaning mistakes. Now we’ll shed some light on how to deal with old and persistent stains. Read on!
Can old stains be removed from upholstery?
Luckily, most stains can be removed from upholstered furniture, whether they are old or new. Still, if you’re dealing with old and set-in stains, it might take a few attempts before they are completely lifted. If your efforts don’t pay off, you can always rely on the professionals. Before you do that, keep reading to find out what you can do on your own.
How do you clean badly stained upholstery?
Everyone’s been there: some spills don’t get noticed right away, they dry, and leave tough-to-get-out stains. Luckily, there’s always a solution. And here are the steps:
- Vacuum – Even if the stain is old and deeply ingrained, vacuuming can help remove loose particles and significantly fade the discolouration. Vacuuming will also significantly reduce the amounts of common household allergens, such as dust mites.
- Read the label – Check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before you decide on the best technique. The codes on the label are usually as follows: S stands for non-water based cleaners and solvents, W means you can use water to clean the material, WS means both options are possible, and X is for dry-cleaning only.
- Steam – Steam can penetrate deep into upholstery fibres and can help loosen most types of stains. If you don’t own a steam cleaner, you can use your iron’s steaming button.
- Spot-test your cleaner – Whether it’s a commercial cleaning product or a home-made one, spot-testing is a must, especially if you can’t find the instructions label. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to an inconspicuous area of your furniture to test the material’s colour-fastness.
- Spot treat the stain – Once you’ve completed all the previous steps, it’s time to apply the cleaner. For water washable materials, use a mixture of water and mild dish soap to dab at the stain, without rubbing. For water-intolerant materials, use a small amount of white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a piece of white cloth to dissolve the stain. If the stain persists, move on to commercial grade cleaners, specifically designed for upholstery.
- Rinse – All products need to be rinsed out in order not to leave marks themselves. You rinse them by dabbing at them with a clean cloth, dampened with clean water.
- Dry – Let the material air-dry, away from direct sunlight. Once the area is dry, you’ll be able to see for sure whether you’ve succeeded.
- Repeat – Stubborn stains may require repeated attempts. Luckily, persistence usually pays off. If it doesn’t, then this is why you should call the experts!
Where in Dublin can I book reliable upholstery cleaning services?
If you’re looking for the most reputable upholstery cleaners in Dublin, here at Emerald Carpet Cleaning, we’d be more than glad to help. We’re an award-winning company with years of experience doing sofa stain removal, which offers a 200% satisfaction guarantee. For your convenience, our services are available 7 days a week.
Take your loved ones on a historic tour through Kilmainham Gaol Museum while our experts do their work. Contact us today!
