Upholstery Cleaning

The Preparation

Vacuums aren’t just made for cleaning floors and carpets. After purchasing our vacuum we often overlook those tiny incredibly important accessory that comes along with it. Yes, that tiny brush attachment the other vacuum accessory is really important. It works really well with upholstery cleaning.

✔ Use that brush attachment & vacuum your upholstery along with your other soft furnishing around your home on a weekly basis. The other “angle-tipped” tool is awesome for those hard to reach sneaky, where the “dirt, dust & oil usually are. Areas such as; creases, fabric folds and other tufted areas.

✔ Once every month, try to take your cushions out in the sun and beat them with some hard object or just by hand. This helps prevent dust from settling into your cushion’s fibers. After you’re done with that, always rotate and flip the cushions as you would to a mattress ensure even wear

Treatments For Stains

Do food, drinks & pets only cause stains? Nope. There are less obvious sources of stains that many of us aren’t away off. These can be our clothing and even newspaper ink could possibly bleed onto our fabric. Always avoid keeping any ink related materials your upholstery.

✔ The number one rule of attending to a spill is to get to it as quickly as you can before it spreads or sets into the fabric. Never use just any cloth, always a clean white cloth, fabric or a paper towel. With that said, use a blotting or sponging motion (pressing it up and down) on the stain. NEVER rub or scrub any spill, it will only spread it into a larger area and make it worst. One of the most effective methods used by the cleaning pros and us is called “Blossoming”. We basically start from the outside of the stain towards the center. “Blot it Dry”

✔ Should the “Blotting” technique not work, another advance cleaning method will be required. Quickly find the manufacturing care label somewhere down below, at the back or along the side of your sofa. On the label you’ll find some care instructions and some code, which are called “cleaning code”. It simply tells you which type of cleaning product can be used to clean your particular fabric. “W” for water-based cleaners, “S” for dry-cleaners such as powder and sprays, “WS” for either and “X” for none of the above – In which, vacuuming or calling the experts is your only option.

Note: Many grease or oil-based stains (gravy, butter, cosmetics) are only treatable with dry cleaning products.

Treatments For Stains (Advance)

Should the basics not work, you can try the advance cleaning method. We recommend not trying any of these if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re confident, it’s always wise to test the colorfastness of the fabric you’re using on an inconspicuous area of the furniture. Apply the solutions over a clean white fabric/cloth and press it down against the area you’re testing for about 30 – 45 seconds. Closely examine the area for any colour fading.

✔ Whether you decide to go with a pH-balanced (neutral) detergent in a 1:20 type water/mixture solution or a commercial dry cleaning solution that you bought always finish by blotting with clean water.

✔ Never over-wet the fabric while cleaning. Using too much water or cleaning solution can spread the stain saturate the sponge/padding underneath the upholstery, creating the perfect haven for mould, mildew and bacteria – all of which are far worse than a surface stain.

Note: Never try to speed things up by drying it with a hot hair dryer or putting it in direct sunlight – heat merely sets the stain. Instead, merely blot the area dry patiently.

The Deep Maintenance

Schedule your soft furnishing for a deep cleaning once every year. If you’re using loose covers for your soft furnishing you have an advantage as removing and washing them isn’t much of a problem (Check washing-care label for instructions before washing). It’s advisable to turn them inside out and wash in cold water to prevent fading. Loose covers are very unlikely to be machine dried, so try drying it naturally.

✔ If your loose covers are labeled as “dry clean only” we strongly encourage you to contact us instead. Giving it to the professional for cleaning will ensure any fading or color variation. It also helps your fabric color to stay consistent throughout all matching fabric.

✔ If you’re NOT using loose covers and are using fixed upholstery instead don’t hesitate to consult professional at least once a year. You should also call a professional if you have a large volume-spill over your soft furnishing. Large volume spills could easily damage the sponge/padding and other part inside your furniture. Always be cautious.

The Preparation

One important step that requires some attention prior to cleansing is removing dust & dirt off your leather. So start by dusting the leather thoroughly, getting rid of all the dust and dirt. Use a vacuum with a small brush attachment to reach areas with debris that are rather difficult to reach.

✔ Be extra cautious when using the vacuum’s brush attachment not to scratch the leather by pressing too hard.

✔ Make sure all dust and dirt are removed before continuing with the cleaning process.

Treatment for Stains & Spills (Light)

Carefully inspect leather for areas that needs most attention. If your leather has some spots & stains, focus on cleaning those areas first. You could wipe down relatively clean areas with a damp cloth(not too wet) & condition it later, that’s pretty much all that the other clean areas requires.

✔ Use a soapy damp cloth to wipe down lightly soiled areas – This is a quick & inexpensive solution to costly leather cleaners.

✔ Use a mild, all-natural soap that does not contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate – Harsh soap will cause the leather to dry out, which could later easily lead to cracking.

✔ Don’t rub the cloth too hard as it might push the dirt further into your leather.

✔ Use light passes, and rinse the cloth often. Wring the cloth out well so it’s not too wet.

✔ Alternate with a clean dry cloth to wipe away loose dirt. This should also keep the surface of the leather relatively dry.

✔ This method is also good for cleaning off anything sticky and water soluble.

Note: Always clean spills with a dry cloth immediately. Use a sponge or a clean dry cloth to absorb as much spilled liquid as possible, use damp cloth only when necessary. Use as little or no water if possible to clean the spill, make sure to wipe the area dry afterwards.

Treatment for Stains & Spills (Heavy)

For more heavily stained areas, use leather cleaners. Be cautious when selecting your leather cleaners. Picking the wrong cleaner could easily strip away the leather’s natural oils and damage your leather, causing it to dry our and crack over time. Choose leather cleaners that don’t contain any form of petroleum solvents, silicone oils or gloss agents (chemicals and mixed substance for commercial use only).

✔ Use natural leather cleaners & saddle soap that contains natural beeswax (It shouldn’t contain too many petroleum products or solvents).

✔ Wax is better compared to any oil based cleaning product. Wax helps condition the surface of the leather. Too much oil-based product will quickly soak into your leather.

✔ Test the cleaner at a “not so visible” area of the leather, check for any stains or discolourations left behind. Many cleaners contain solvents that could possibly discolour your leather.

✔ Apply leather cleaner with a clean & slightly wet cloth. Dip the cloth into the cleaner and apply it to your leather softly in a circular motion with medium pressure.

✔ Begin with areas that are the least dirty (but still need cleaning). Then work your way to dirtier areas. This keeps the dirt from spreading

✔ Change the cloth frequently and re-apply the solution throughout the process. Do not use a cloth that is too wet, it could stain the leather.

✔ Stay consistent when applying the cleaning solution never put too much cleaning solution it might also damage your leather. Using your bare hands can also help you stay consistent when applying the solution.

Note: Remember that leather is a natural material, and every piece is a little bit different. You may have to try several different cleaners before finding one that works for your particular sofa.

Removing Stains, Mold & Mildew (Advance)

This is may not work for most stains depending on the condition of the stains, such as old stains that are already set into the leather or stains that contain stubborn dyes. However it may lighten the stains or hopefully even remove them.

✔ Remove mold & mildew by spraying a mild solution of vinegar and water on your leather. Wipe off the solution quickly after applying. Keep it from soaking too much into your leather. Vinegar is a mild disinfectant and should remove any mold.

✔ Use a heavy duty leather cleaner that is mildly abrasive. Use a bit of any ordinary toothpaste, wipe it off completely after you’re done.

✔ Remember to spot test your cleaners at a hidden area before applying all over your leather. This is very important as some cleaners may not suit your leather and could possibly damage your leather forever.

✔ Be patient when cleaning a stubborn spot, stain or a mold. If the method isn’t working, don’t keep scrubbing the damaged part of your leather. You’ll increase the risk of damaging it further. Consider just flipping the cushions if possible.

Note: If nothing is working, contact the professionals. It’s always better to consult the professionals early if you’re unsure of how to remove the stains from your leather yourself. They can always help you remove the stains or at max give you a accurate & detailed information on how you could remove the stains. 

Conditioning Your Leather

Leather is basically skin. And just like our skin — its very durable but still fragile relative to rough surfaces and requires some protection, attention and care. Your leather relies only on the nourishment you give it. It can otherwise easily dry out, over-absorb water, or be damaged in numerous other ways. This is why conditioning of your leather regularly is important. Make sure you condition your leather at least once or twice a year OR after carrying out Step 1 and Step 2 above.

✔ Ensure all dust and dirt are removed before continuing with the conditioning process.

✔ Wipe off all excess cleaning solutions from the leather if any. Clean and wipe each cushion with a damp cloth (Slightly wet). Rinse the cloth in clean water after wiping each cushion.

✔ Avoid any kind of cleaning product for the conditioning process, since you’re rinsing the surface of your leather that you just washed. You only need a conditioner.

✔ Dry your leather using a clean dry cloth then ventilate the area to make sure your leather dries quickly. Avoid putting it in direct sunlight.

✔ Once your leather is completely dry. Apply a light coating of your leather conditioner (leather care, balm, or wax) all over the leather. Make sure you’re using a natural cream, balm or wax-based conditioners for best results.

✔ Buff the leather all over nicely with a clean cotton cloth or microfibre cloth, which helps even the conditioner and make your leather shine and look lively again.

Note: A good conditioner is made to nourish/restore all lost moisture and protections to prevent drying and cracking of leather. In some cases leather goods that were made more than 100 years ago are still usable today only because the leather has been properly conditioned & preserved.