Natural Ways to Clean Upholstered Furniture

Vacuum

• The Homefurnish website recommends weekly vacuuming of your furniture to help remove soil and keep dirt and grime from becoming embedded in fabric fibers. The grime not only looks bad, it can increase abrasion and make your furniture wear out faster. Use the upholstery attachment with your vacuum for best results.

Brushing

• If you don't want to vacuum, a light brushing can also help remove dust and soil. StreetDirectory.com recommends removing cushions and taking a stiff brush to all the surfaces and reaching into any crevices in the furniture. You might even find some lost change.

Homemade Upholstery Cleaners

• When brushing and vacuuming isn't enough, Western Michigan University's Student Affairs Division recommends stirring up a batch of homemade cleaning solution by combining two teaspoons of detergent with one pint of warm water. Whip up thick suds, and rub the suds on the furniture with a cloth or brush. Clean a small area at a time to keep furniture from becoming saturated. Use a damp cloth to rinse the area. If you want to keep things as natural as possible, look for eco-friendly cleaning products in your store.

  The StreetDirectory website offers another recipe for a homemade cleaner. It recommends dissolving six teaspoons of white soap flakes in one pint of boiling water. Add two teaspoons of ammonia or borax. Let the mixture cool until it jells, then use an eggbeater to whip it up into a stiff lather.

Know Your Code

• The method you use for cleaning will depend on the furniture industry's cleanability code that appears on your upholstered piece. Check under the cushions for a tag marked W, S, W-S or X. Homefurnish.com says fabrics that carry a W code can be spot cleaned with the foam from a water-based cleaning agent or with a solvent-free upholstery shampoo. Furniture with an S code needs to be cleaned with a water-free solvent or a dry cleaning product that contains toxic carbon tetrachloride. Professional cleaning is recommended. Upholstered pieces with a W-S code can be cleaned with mild solvents, detergents or upholstery shampoo. Avoid products containing carbon tetrachloride. If you see an X code, avoid use of any water-based cleaners or solvents. They could cause shrinking or even more staining.

Start Small

• Whatever method you choose, start slowly. Be sure to test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the furniture first to see what it does to the fabric. If the furniture has an overall soiled appearance, it may be time to call in the professionals.