Many of us are familiar with that feeling of falling head over heels for a piece of furniture. Most often because of how that furniture looks and the feeling we get when we walk into a room and see it. Here are some upholstery care tips on removing grease stains from upholstery.
Upholstery care needs to be part of your weekly house cleaning routine.
When you have the vacuum out to do the floors, take the opportunity to vacuum upholstery, too, done at least weekly. Vacuuming furniture removes surface dirt, preventing dirt from becoming embedded in the fibres. You can also use a soft brush to whisk the ground away instead of cleaning if that’s your preferred upholstery care method. Any furniture with loose cushions deserves to have those cushions flipped and rotated periodically. This can dramatically extend the life of the table. Wear and will be distributed evenly, and cushions won’t develop indentations. Fluffing will help keep those cushions looking good and should be part of your regular upholstery care.
You can keep your furniture out of direct sunlight to avoid fabric fading.
Silk is particularly sensitive to the sun. If upholstered furniture receives direct sunlight, consider slipcovers as a part of your upholstery care strategy. Also, remember that airborne pollutants can easily damage fabric like smoke. Even fumes from cooking can be harmful. While avoiding cooking fumes is difficult, proper ventilation can help provide good upholstery care.
Suppose you want to avoid stains and dirt on your upholstery. Set up rules to prevent this from happening. Do not allow anyone to eat on the couch, on loveseats, or in chairs. Choose dining room chairs with removable and machine-washable covers if your chairs have fabric seat cushions. Keep those shoes off the couch. It’s a tradition in some families to take shoes off in the foyer to prevent general tracking of dirt. If there are pieces that you are particularly fond of, it’s probably best to keep pets out of the room entirely rather than try to train them to stay away from specific furniture.
Only some people realise how much of a difference a fabric protector can make. If stain-guarding is an option, it’s usually worth it. Stain removal can be as easy as blotting it when your furniture is protected. Whether you have a scotch-guarded table, it’s best to act quickly regarding stains. Could you block up as much liquid as possible with a clean towel? Never rub the fabric as part of your upholstery care because this can cause more damage. Also, use a spot cleaner meant explicitly for upholstery. Ensure you read the manufacturer’s instructions first and test the product in an inconspicuous area to ensure it does not damage your fabric. Furthermore, use a soft brush to gently work the cleaner into the fibres in a circular motion. Then, vacuum when it’s dry.
Even with good routine upholstery care, we keep fabrics looking brand new. You may want a professional to come into your home to clean your upholstered, deep upholstered furniture every few years. Therefore, we follow the standard recommended by the manufacturer, IICRC, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners and Spot Removers.
Last Updated: 16 September 2024 By Graeme Stephens
