Do you have a family member who constantly sneezes? They may be sensitive to dust mites. The problem could result from dirt trapped in your upholstery, which is then released when you sit back and relax — or when your kids jump on the couch!
Believe it or not, living room furniture is a natural home for dust mites. If you don’t clean regularly, mites will breed and multiply on your sofa. Upholstery also attracts stains and trapped odors.
To avoid a buildup of grime and dirt, bring in a professional cleaner every once in a while. In the meantime, homemade upholstery cleaner is a great way to keep your furniture looking and smelling fresh.
Upholstery is hard to clean because it’s made from different materials. In fact, upholstery cleaning is often too expensive for most people. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it on your own! Read on to learn about some cheap and easy DIY upholstery cleaning tips!
DIY Upholstery Cleaner and Cleaning tips
Start with a Vacuum
One of the first steps when cleaning your upholstered furniture is to use a vacuum cleaner. Sprays and pastes can clean the fibers and break up oils and other substances, but they won’t help you clean the dust beneath.
When you clean your upholstered furniture, remove the cushions and vacuum the bottom side of them. Then, vacuum each side of the cushion and the back and arms of the furniture. After you’re done, replace the cushions. If you skip this step, all your scrubbing may grind the dust further into the furniture!
Make a Homemade Upholstery Cleaner
After you’re done cleaning, it’s time to make your upholstery cleaner. You can use white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and other household staples.
Always spot test your cleaning solution before using it on the entire piece of furniture. The last thing you want to do is ruin a whole piece of upholstered furniture because you didn’t spot test a cleaner. Some solutions can affect the color or material of your furniture, so always spot test it before using it on the entire piece.
In addition to upholstery, these methods also work well on carpets and drapes.
The Rubbing Alcohol Mix
The solution is simple, and it’s the same one you use on your countertops. But, it would be best if you made a solution that can be sprayed on. To do this, you will need rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. We suggest mixing them in a spray bottle so that you can apply them quickly.
How to clean your upholstery:
- Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
- Add water to make it a full cup.
- Shake the solution.
- Spray the key on the upholstery and wipe it off with a cloth.
You can add water to your mixture or use less water if you’re dealing with tough stains. If the fabrics in question are delicate, you can add more water to dilute the solution.
Spray the upholstery with the solution, and then wait two minutes. Scrub in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth. Re-apply if necessary, and let your furniture dry.
The Laundry Detergent Mix
We have another solution if you don’t have rubbing alcohol at home. It involves an ingredient that you almost definitely have: laundry detergent! This method works best in a bowl and not a spray bottle.
Use 2 cups of warm water, two tablespoons of vinegar, two tablespoons of baking soda, and two tablespoons of laundry detergent to get rid of stains. If you don’t have baking soda, that’s okay. It still does a great job of neutralizing odors. Baking soda is a reliable chemical to have in any kitchen. It has so many uses and makes an excellent chemical to use in any number of situations.
Take a microfiber cloth, wet it in solution, and rub the upholstery in circular motions. Allow them to air dry.
Baking Soda Paste for Tough Stains
If you have some hard-to-remove dirt, you can use a baking soda paste to clean your upholstery.
To make your paste, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a bowl. A few teaspoons of water should be enough to mix the soda with the water into a thick but spreadable paste. Add more water if needed until you have a suitable consistency.
Baking soda is a miracle cleaner! It breaks down the molecules of grease and grime. For it to be most effective, apply a generous amount of baking soda to upholstery stains and let it sit for several minutes. Then, start scrubbing it with your microfiber cloth.
In order to remove the paste, you must first clean away the paste. You can use either of the above solutions to clean it up and then air dry the furniture.
Essential Oils That Will Add a Fresh Smell
Now that you know your cleaning solution has a bad odor, it is time to fix it. Essential oils provide a great smell from the beginning and mask any lingering odor from the rubbing alcohol or vinegar. If you want to add a scent to your DIY cleaner, some ingredients have a distinct smell of their own.
Citrus oils are an excellent choice for cleaning and deodorizing your home. Both lemons and oranges smell fresh, possess disinfecting abilities, and can be used to clean a variety of surfaces.
If you prefer a fragrance that will soothe the senses, try using lavender essential oils. Rosemary and lemongrass will also make a great addition to your upholstery cleaner.