When you invest in an upholstered living room or sofa, you want it to last and look good for as long as possible. Children, pets and those who live in general, can charge their price on any upholstered piece, and over time, they can also start to look discoloured and sagging if not properly cared for.
If you want to let experts handle this, here at Brisbane Upholstery we pride ourselves in reupholstering well-made furniture and antiques.
Choose the right fabric
When buying a sofa, buy a unit covered with fabrics that fit your lifestyle. Choose synthetic fabrics that are easy to care for if you have children or pets and avoid fabrics or items that have too much texture.
Protection of the fabric.
If you have the option, have the upholstered furniture treated to protect it from spills.
While fabric protection offers a certain level of defence, it is not a stain-proof option unless you clean up spills immediately. This will prevent them from being absorbed by the fabric.
Turn the seat cushions.
When a sofa or chair has loose cushions, turn them off periodically to avoid wear.
This is also an easy way to evenly distribute the wear and prevent the cushions from coming off.
If, over time, you notice that the seat cushions become a bit sloppy, open a seam along the back of the seat and add an additional padding (synthetic wadding).
Regular cleaning will remove dirt and dust from the surface and prevent it from embedding itself in the fibres of the fabric.
Care of the fabric
In South Africa, few manufacturers (if any) offer instructions for the care and maintenance of fabrics used for upholstery. In case of doubt, consult.
If you are not sure of the cleaning methods for a particular fabric, the Internet is full of practical tips. But before taking any drastic action, try any product or cleaning method in an inconspicuous area.
Clean regularly
Regular cleaning will remove dirt and dust from the surface and prevent it from embedding itself in the fibres of the fabric.
A soft brush is also useful for daily cleaning but test its effects on the fabric in advance to make sure it does not snag or lift the fibres.
Eliminate odours.
In a house with pets, upholstered furniture may absorb odours.
Keep pets away from furniture as much as possible or give them a special cushion to sit on.
In this case, spray the sofa with baking soda and leave it overnight before vacuuming in the morning. This treatment will not damage your sofa, however, it will keep the fabric cool.
Clean up spills
Clean spills immediately by drying the liquid with a paper towel. Do not try to rub the stain, as this will only aggravate the problem and could leave a permanent stain.
Professional cleaning.
Professional cleaning should be done annually, depending on the amount your sofa needs.
When the weather starts to get warmer, reserve a cleaning session with a reputable upholstery dye house or hire a domestic steam cleaner from your local supermarket.
Do not leave it too long: the more upholstered and dirty the furniture is, the harder it will be to clean them.
Keep away from direct sunlight.
If the upholstered furniture is placed in direct sunlight, this can cause the fabric to fade. If moving the furniture is not an option, look at the blinds or the curtains to filter the light.
Treat the furniture well
Keep pets away from furniture as much as possible or give them a special cushion to sit on. Do not allow children to climb on furniture and prohibit eating and drinking in upholstered pieces.
The simplest thing is to buy a piece of furniture with removable upholstery, something more difficult in the chairs, for example. In this way, we would only have to remove the cloth and wash it in the washing machine or take it to a dry cleaner.
If we do not find the manufacturer’s instructions, there is a way to find out if the upholstery is washable. In a non-visible area, we moisten the upholstery a bit and then we put a dry white cotton cloth on top and pass a hot iron, pressing. If there is no trace of color in cotton, it means that it can get wet because its colors are solid and do not fade.
Before cleaning a tapestry, to maintain a daily cleaning, we can vacuum once a week through all the corners, holes, cushions and arms.
When what we need to remove is a stain, the easiest thing is to remove it as soon as it is produced by absorbing it with a cloth or a sponge. When most of it has been absorbed, it is time to treat it and eliminate it. If you have a dry stain remover, this is the best option because you do not have to worry about wetting the upholstery or that it will fade.
Steam cleaners or vacuum cleaners are very effective, but before applying it you have to make sure that the furniture allows this type of cleaning since improper application can ruin the fabric due to high temperatures.
As for the most common wet cleaning, surface stains can be removed without problem with a cloth dampened with a little ammonia. Always cleaning the stain from its edges to its centre, so it does not spread.
For more complicated stains, such as grease stains, we put talcum powder on it and let it rest for half an hour before brushing it or wiping it gently. If we talk about chocolate or coffee stains, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia work very well.
When the stain has disappeared, we pass a dry white cloth that does not leave any lint. The objective is to remove excess moisture from the upholstery. Ventilate well the place to accelerate the drying process. If you follow these tips and dedicate a time each week to cleaning your upholstery, the furniture will last much longer and you will save a significant amount of money.
Here at Brisbane Upholstery we can help you make your furniture look excellent.
