Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

Cleaning fabric upholstery is very similar to cleaning carpeting, and you will find many of the same cleaners here.

*Always remember to do a spot test before using any cleaning solution, to test the fabric for color-fastness.

The following homemade upholstery cleaner recipes are for fabric upholstery, and may not be suitable for vinyl or leather upholstery.

Frequent Vacuuming can eliminate the need for deep cleaning on your upholstered furniture.  Use a hand extension with a soft brush attachment to clean cushions, backs arms and sides of furniture. Make sure to clean into folds and crevasses of furniture and under the cushions.  Also weekly straightening of cushion covers, and flipping cushions over can save wear and tear on the material.  In addition the use of arm and back protectors can help you avoid staining caused by the natural oils in the hands and hair.

For Dried messes on fabric including dirt, crumbs etc.

You will need a Soft bristle brush and vacuum cleaner.  Gently brush the dried on mess, to loosen from fabric, in a circular motion.  Avoid worrying over one spot too much as the brushing action can fray or tear the fabric.  When dirt is loosened vacuum.

For Stains

1.

• Distilled white vinegar
• Filtered water

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in spray bottle.  If spill is fresh blot up as much liquid as you can. Spray with vinegar solution let set for 15 minutes. Blot with clean white rag. If stain still shows repeat. Blot well, rinse with clear filtered water, blot to dry.

2.

• Kosher salt
• Borax
• Distilled White Vinegar

Mix salt and borax, add vinegar to make a paste. Put on stain, brushing gently in a circular motion starting at the outside of the stain and working toward the center.  Allow to dry completely. Then vacuum.

3. Club Soda – especially recommended for wine spills.  Blot up liquid from spill.  Slowly pour a trickle of club soda on the stain, starting at the outside and working in.  Blot and repeat as needed until stain is removed.

4. Hairspray – recommended for ink stains on fabric. Blot stain. Spray with hairspray blotting from the outside in. Repeat, stain will lighten quickly but it may take several applications of the hairspray to remove it completely.

5. Baking soda or Cornstarch – recommended to remove oily or greasy stains. Blot if necessary. Sprinkle with dry baking soda or Cornstarch. gently work into stain. Allow to set and absorb the grease. Vacuum. This should remove most of the grease or oily residue, you may need to use one of the other stain removers to completely remove the stain.

6. Mix Hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water. Dab on stain to let sit for a couple minutes to work then blot. Repeat if needed. Rinse by dabbing with cool water. Blot dry.

Remove Odors in Upholstery

1. Place baking soda in a flour sifter (or a parmesean cheese shaker) sprinkle liberally over furniture, allow to set for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb odors. Vacuum as usual.

*Adding a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda will leave upholstery with a light fragrance.

2. For pet odors make a paste of distilled white vinegar and baking soda, apply to spot gently rubbing it into the upholstery fibers and allow to set until dry. Vacuum.

For General Cleaning

Mix equal amounts of dish washing liquid or castile soap with filtered water in large jar.  Shake until jar is full of foam.  Spread foam on upholstery and sponge in a circular motion.  With a clean cloth or sponge and cool water rinse out soap.  Allow to air dry (this may be assisted with the use of a fan).  When completely dry vacuum.

If your Upholstery cushions are machine washable. Wash on gentle cycle in cool water with a little borax.  Air Dry.