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Upholstered chairs can add elegance and character to any room, but cleaning them can seem like a daunting task. After all, you can't just throw them in the washing machine.
Details
Keeping soft chairs clean is not as difficult a task as it may seem at first glance.
How often should soft chairs be cleaned?
The best time to clean upholstered chairs depends on their use and condition. If your chairs are used every day and start to look a little worse after a few months, clean them seasonally.
If they are rarely used, clean them once a year to prevent dust and keep them in good condition.
What you will need
Here's what you need to have on hand to clean upholstered chairs.
- A vacuum cleaner with a nozzle for upholstery or a brush.
- Warm water.
- Mild detergent or washing powder.
- Clean washcloths.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%), white vinegar or store-bought stain remover.
- Brush with soft bristles.
- Steam cleaner (optional).
Step 1: Vacuum
The first step in cleaning upholstered chairs and armchairs is vacuuming. This will remove surface dirt and soot, and also help clean stains. Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum.
If your vacuum cleaner does not have such a nozzle, use a brush. Vacuum the upholstery in small, gentle strokes to remove hair, crumbs and other dirt, working from the top of the chair to the bottom.
Step 2: Prepare a cleaning solution
Then gather the other cleaning supplies - it's time to make the soap. Fill a large bowl with very warm water (as warm as is safe). Add a teaspoon of delicate laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid. Mix them together.
Step 3: Spot cleaning
Now it's time to tackle stubborn stains. For spot cleaning, you can either use a store-bought stain remover or make your own with 3% hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar.
Either way, dip a clean cloth in the stain remover and gently dab the stain, then let it sit for 10 minutes. While the stain remover is reacting, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Clean the chairs
Dip a clean cloth into the soapy mixture you prepared earlier and wring out the excess liquid.
Then carefully wet the entire soft surface of the chair with a cloth, so that the surface is quite wet, but not soaked with water. Repeat this step several times as needed to clean the stool more effectively.
Step 5: Scrub and Steam
Then take a brush with soft bristles and very carefully wipe the upholstery. Wipe in small circular motions, working from top to bottom.
If you have a steam cleaner, now is the time to use it. Steam clean the chair from top to bottom using small, criss-crossing motions with the brush.
Step 6: Rinse and dry
To finish cleaning the upholstered chairs, soak a clean cloth in warm water and wring it out until it is damp. Then run it over the entire surface of the upholstery, repeating this several times until the upholstery is free of dirt.
Then allow the chairs to dry overnight or overnight. It is best to put them in a room with open windows and fans directed at the furniture.
This will provide enough cross wind to help the chair dry evenly. You can also put the soft chair in a shady place outside for a few hours to dry.
How to keep soft chairs and armchairs clean longer
There are two main things you can do to keep soft chairs clean longer. The first is to immediately treat any stains as they appear. The second is to apply a stain protectant to the chair to provide additional protection against stains and dirt.
