Upholstery Cleaner That Is Safe for Polyester

Dish Soap

• Fill a small bucket with 1/4 cup of gentle dish soap. Add 3 tbsp. of lukewarm water and mix thoroughly with a spoon until foam forms. Scoop the foam up with a clean cloth dampened in cool water. Start at the top of the upholstery and begin scrubbing the polyester clean with the foam. Continue in this manner while working your way down the upholstery. Rinse the foam mixture off the fabric by wiping with a clean, damp sponge. Allow it to air dry.

Vinegar

• Freshen smelly polyester upholstery by misting the furniture with white vinegar. Pour distilled white vinegar in a clean spray bottle. Start at the top of the upholstery and mist liberally while moving down the polyester. As the vinegar dries on the upholstery it will eliminate difficult-to-remove odors such as smoke and pet smells. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda over the stinky fabric and let sit for several hours before using the upholstery brush attached to a vacuum hose to remove the soda off the furniture.

Rubbing Alcohol

• Commonly used as an antiseptic, rubbing alcohol also goes by the name denatured alcohol. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of rubbing alcohol in a plastic container. Saturate a clean, white cloth in the alcohol and wring out the excess liquid. The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet. Gently scrub stains on the polyester upholstery with the cloth. Scrub in a circular motion and when the cloth starts to become dry, saturate it in the rubbing alcohol and continue scrubbing until the stains are no longer present.

Dry Cleaning Solvent

• A water-free cleaning liquid, dry cleaning solvent will remove unsightly stains--such as chocolate, ink and blood--off polyester fabric and restore the look of your upholstered furniture. Apply several drops of dry cleaning solvent to a clean, white cloth. Blot or pat the stain with the damp cloth for several seconds. Continue in this manner until no more solvent is absorbed. Repeat the process until you have removed all traces of the stain.

Considerations

• Before beginning a deep cleaning, attach the upholstery brush to a vacuum hose and thoroughly vacuum the polyester upholstery. Removing the surface debris will make cleaning the fabric easier. Repeat this action once a week to keep your furniture looking its best. Always test the cleaning method on an inconspicuous area of the fabric. If damage, discoloration or color-fastness occurs, discontinue use.