How to Clean Silk Upholstery

Silk upholstery gives furniture a lush, rich appearance, which is smooth and luxurious to the touch. Although the expense makes silk upholstery a major investment, silk is a durable, natural fabric that will last for many years with proper care. Clean your silk upholstery regularly, and remove any spills or stains as soon as they occur. If you are unsure about cleaning your silk upholstery, or if the silk is badly soiled, consult a cleaning professional.

Vacuum with upholstery attachment
Gentle liquid laundry detergent
Cotton cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Vacuum the silk upholstery thoroughly to remove any loose soil, dust or crumbs, using your vacuum's brush or upholstery attachment. Vacuum the upholstery regularly to prevent embedded soil from damaging the fabric.
- 2
  Mix a solution of cool water and a gentle liquid laundry detergent. Make a light solution according to the recommendations on the product label.
- 3
  Dip a clean cotton cloth into the detergent solution. Test your silk upholstery for colorfastness by dabbing a small amount of the solution on an inconspicuous area. If the detergent solution leaves a mark after the upholstery is allowed to air dry, consult a professional cleaner for assistance.
- 4
  Remove any stains or soiled area with the detergent solution. Dip the clean cotton cloth into the solution, then squeeze out excess moisture. Blots stains or soiled areas firmly, but never rub the silk upholstery.
- 5
  Allow your silk upholstery to air dry. Don't place your silk upholstery near a heating vent and never use a blow dryer, as heat may shrink the silk.

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