Home Garden

How to Clean Chenille Upholstery

Due to its delicate nature, it is important to treat chenille upholstery with care. A gentle touch is necessary for this soft, woven fabric. Despite its delicacy, chenille is also durable, making it a popular choice for upholstery. Try to clean your chenille upholstery on a regular basis, and watch for spots and stains, particularly if you have children or pets in your home. Stains should be cleaned immediately to prevent permanent marks.

Things You'll Need

  • Upholstery shampoo
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Vacuum brush attachment
  • Rubber gloves
  • Bucket
  • Sponge
  • Soft towels
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure you purchase upholstery shampoo designed for hand cleaning or foam cleaning, and not one that requires a steam machine. Check that chenille is included on the list of recommended fabrics for the product.

    • 2

      Remove dirt and debris from your chenille upholstery using the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Pay attention to hard-to-reach areas, such as underneath arm rests. If your armrests or seat cushions are detachable, remove them to make cleaning easier.

    • 3

      Put on rubber gloves, and prepare the shampoo according to the directions. Carry out a pretest on a small area of the chenille to make sure the shampoo will not damage the fabric. Choose an inconspicuous spot such as the underside of a sofa cushion.

    • 4

      Mix the solution to create suds.

    • 5

      Use a clean, dry sponge to apply the suds to a small section of your chenille upholstery, until there is a light, even covering of foam. Blot excess moisture and dirt with a clean, soft towel. Repeat the process until the entire area has been cleaned, and leave it to dry.