Cleaning Upholstery

Tip: Mold Removal from Upholstery
To remove the mold from your couch, combine 1/4 teaspoon of color safe bleach and 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. With a clean cloth, gently rub the stain until it is gone. Rinse the area with clear, warm water and dry in the sun if possible. Or, use a liquid peroxide based cleaner, such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate, which uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate the soiled area.

Tip: Odor Removal from Upholstery
To get rid of lingering odors in your upholstered furniture, sprinkle it with baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. Or, you could try wiping it down with a sponge dampened with vinegar. There are also commercial products designed for this purpose that are effective at removing odors from upholstery, such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate.

Tip: Foam Cushion Insert Mold and Mildew Removal
Mold and mildew can penetrate well beyond the surface area of your foam cushions that can effectively be cleaned. However, since you may not be ready to replace the foam just yet, you can try cleaning your foam cushions by immersing them in a solution of 1 part Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate to 3 parts water (maybe in the bathtub?). Air dry thoroughly, preferably in the sun.

Tip: Shampoo Spill Clean Up from Upholstery
Sofa cushions are very absorbent so you will most likely not be able to remove all of the shampoo from inside the sofa. However, assuming your sofa can be cleaned with water (check the tag), you can try to remove the outer stain using a damp clean white cloth alternating with a dry clean white cloth. Blot (do not rub) the stain, alternating between the damp cloth and the dry cloth, working from the outside of the stain to the center, so as not to spread the stain.

If this does not work, you may want to try a professional upholstery cleaning service which may be able to use an extraction method on the shampoo.

Tip: Grease Stain Removal from Upholstery
To treat a fresh grease stain on upholstery, sprinkle it with either cornstarch, talcum powder or salt; rub well and leave until the grease is absorbed. Brush off the powder/grease with a scrub brush then wipe with a damp cloth.

Tip: Replacing Foam Cushions
Often it is frustrating trying to replace a foam cushion into its zippered covering. An easy way around this is to place the cushion in a plastic garbage bag and then stuff it into the cover with the open end first. Then, all you have to do is pull the plastic bag off, leaving the foam in place.

Tip: Gum Removal from Upholstery
To get the gum off of upholstery, put a rag over the gum, and run a warm iron over the rag. The gum should stick to the rag and little by little you can pull it off. If this doesn´t work, you can try the opposite, and rub an ice cube (placed in a plastic bag) over the gum, and freeze the gum until it hardens, then chip it off.

Tip: Suede Furniture Cleaning
You can spot clean suede by carefully rubbing the soiled area with an artist´s eraser. A stain on suede that won´t brush or wipe off should be treated by a professional suede cleaner as quickly as possible. Though you can try cleaning it yourself with a suede-cleaning product, you may end up doing more harm than good. You can protect suede by spraying it with a silicone spray that you can purchase at most shoe stores.

Tip: A&D Ointment Removal from Upholstery
To remove A&D Ointment from your upholstery, first, using a dull knife, scrape off as much A&D Ointment as possible. Then, sprinkle the soiled area with either cornstarch, talcum powder or salt; rub well and leave until the grease from the ointment is absorbed. Brush off the powder/grease with a soft scrub brush then wipe with a damp cloth. If any residue remains, you can use either upholstery cleaner or mix 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in a quart of warm water. Beat with a mixer, and clean the furniture using only the suds. Work on a small area at a time, overlapping areas to avoid spotting. Change the rinse water frequently to keep it clean.

Tip: Upholstery Cleaning
To clean your upholstery at home, you can rent a steam cleaner at your local supermarket, and do the job yourself. Or, to give your upholstery a thorough cleaning, use either upholstery cleaner, or mix 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in a quart of warm water. Beat with a mixer, and clean the furniture using only the suds. Work on a small area at a time, overlapping areas to avoid spotting. Change the rinse water frequently to keep it clean. Use a fan to thoroughly dry the furniture.

Tip: Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal
Since the smell of smoke lingers in carpets, upholstery and curtains, you will need to tackle these areas to eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke. You will need to either wash these items, or if you would like a quicker fix, you can try a commercial odor remover. Once the odor is removed, you can try leaving a small container of vinegar in each room to keep it smelling fresh. If you have smokers in your house, you can keep several candles burning while they are smoking, and covering the bottom of ashtrays with baking soda also helps. Nothing replaces fresh air, so whenever possible, open up the windows.

Tip: Perspiration Stain Removal from Upholstery
Sofa cushions are very absorbent so you will most likely not be able to remove all of the perspiration from inside the sofa. However, assuming your sofa can be cleaned with water (check the tag), you can try to remove the outer stain using white vinegar and a clean, dry, white cloth. Blot (do not rub) the stain, working from the outside of the stain to the center, so as not to spread the stain. Follow the vinegar with either upholstery cleaner or mix 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in a quart of warm water. Beat with a mixer, and clean the furniture using only the suds. Work on a small area at a time, overlapping areas to avoid spotting. Change the rinse water frequently to keep it clean. Use a fan to thoroughly dry the furniture.

Tip: Lint Removal from Upholstery
Use an old pair of pantyhose to pick up lint from your upholstery.

Tip: Red Wine Stain Removal from Upholstery
To get the red wine out of upholstery, you can try sponging the stain with white wine, or club soda. You can also try shaving cream from an aerosol can, then sponge with water. Be careful not the let the fabric get too wet.

Tip: Protect Upholstery From Sun Damage
Always protect your furniture, rugs, carpets, etc. from the harsh midday sun which can fade and damage fiber. Be sure to close curtains or blinds or hang sheer drapes.

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