5 Ways to Keep Your Upholstered Furniture in Great Shape

Here are a few ideas to keep your upholstery looking great at all times.

Take care of stains immediately when they are still fresh to minimize their chances of turning into permanent marks. First, use a dry towel to gently blot a spill. Avoid rubbing as this could create a stubborn stain and cause irreparable damage to your upholstery.

For particularly nasty spills, wet the towel slightly and clean the spill using gentle, circular motions. Be careful not to pour water onto the spill or any other part of your upholstered furniture as this could result in wicking, characterized by a nasty circular ring.

Consider calling a professional to get rid of tough and stubborn stains, such as those from blood or dye.

As much as you are able to, guard your upholstery against stains. Eat at the dining table instead of bringing food and beverages to the couch as this can increase the risk of spillage and staining. You can also try waterproof linings to make your upholstery fabric impermeable to staining liquids.

If you have children, you have to be particularly careful. Discourage young children from playing on upholstered seats.

Like children, pets also pose a risk to your upholstered furniture. Take steps to reduce messes from urine, hair, and dander.

You likely already potty trained your pets, but consider bellybands as an extra measure. These are comfortable and impermeable pieces of clothing you can tie around your pet's body and over their groin to prevent pet urine from coming in contact with your furniture.

In case your pet has an accident anyway, clean areas where your pet has urinated to discourage them from peeing in the same spot again. Then wash the stain using one part vinegar and one part water to get rid of the urine smell.

Also, get rid of pet dander often to avoid accumulation, which can ruin the appearance of your upholstery. Apply sticky tape to a lint roller, and move the roller over upholstered furniture to pick up dander and other debris.

Even the best upholstery will look washed out if left under the sun for too long. To prolong the life of your beloved furniture, keep upholstered items away from the sun.

Use sun blockers such as window treatment, blinds, and curtain to minimize exposure to direct UV rays.

Dusty and dirty upholstery can look dingy. Maintain a regular vacuuming schedule, weekly if possible, to rid your upholstered items of dirt and debris. Be sure to only use vacuum cleaner extensions with a soft bristled brush to avoid scratching or snagging the fabric.

Avoid using excessive water to clean your fabric. Too much water will not only ruin your fabric but may destroy the entire furniture as well. Most fabrics do not do too well with harsh detergents, and if you must clean your upholstered items with detergent, select mild products.

Leave deep cleaning of upholstered furniture to professionals who have the right equipment and products. Cleaning professionals are familiar with industry cleaning codes, understand different types of stains, and know how to tackle them. To extend the life of upholstered items, perform a deep clean at least once a year.

Reupholstering a couch can set you back a couple hundreds of dollars. Care for your upholstery diligently to save on reupholstering costs, retain your beloved furniture for longer, and keep your home clean and welcoming.

Contact professionals at All State Carpet & Tile Care to take care of your precious furniture. We have the right tools, products, and expertise to clean all types of fabrics including leather, microfiber, cotton, suede, and linen among others. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.