Preserving Your Upholstered Furniture

Regular cleaning can help extend the life of your upholstered Furniture Cleaning Eau Claire. Furnishings absorb oils, dust, spillages, fur, and allergens on a daily basis. Clean furniture will look better and last longer in your home. However, it is important to not over clean the fabric, or use harsh chemicals that might damage the fibers.

Manufacturers suggest a professional cleaning every two years. If you have pets and babies at home, you might need it even more frequently. No matter how potty trained your pet is, they always track mud and dust from your backyard or the street. Even if they ‘stay down’ off the furniture, pets are also carriers for germs. Their fur and hair work deep into the edges of your upholstery.  

And babies’ immune systems can be vulnerable to additional outside stressors. Maintaining clean upholstered furniture is another way to keep children healthy.

Act Quickly

The best form of fabric protection is prompt attention to spills. Although upholstery fabric is usually treated with soil and water repellents, they are not foolproof.  While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Always clean up any spills or stains promptly to preserve the finish of the fabric.

Turn The Cushions

You can extend your upholstered furniture life by periodically turning over the loose cushions; some cushions and some areas get more usage than others. This easy maintenance ensures a more even distribution of wear and tear, and it is free!

Surface Vacuuming

Like your carpet, your upholstery should be regularly vacuumed. Vacuuming the upholstery regularly between cleanings is essential for keeping it free of dirt, dust, and allergens. Abrasive dirt can become embedded in the fibers and cause weak areas in the fabric, especially the arms and seat area. Use the attachment that came with your vacuum. (Do you remember where you stored it?) Or you can also use a soft bristled brush to gently whisk the dirt away; be gentle and don’t snag the fabric.

Spot Cleaning

If you discover a dried stain, try to spot clean. Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. Use the mildest cleaning product first, progress if the initial attempt didn’t clean.   

Deep Cleaning

To keep an even appearance to the entire piece and to remove embedded odors, every two years 

have the piece professionally cleaned. Different fabrics require different methods and cleaning products; a professional upholstery cleaner such as Steamatic of Eau Claire will know which method and products are best for your furniture.  

Although you can rent a machine at the supermarket, the professional equipment is so much stronger.  Both types of machines operate on the same principle of injecting a cleaning solution or water into the fabric and then suctioning it out. However, the suctioning power of pro equipment is more powerful, therefore they can use substantially more water without worrying about whether the upholstery will stay damp longer than 48 hours (inviting mold.)

Also, the unique shapes of upholstered furniture call for special tools to clean all the nooks and crannies found on furniture pieces such as couches, sectionals, and loveseats.  

Plan Ahead

Apply (or have the professionals recommend) a fabric protector to new or newly cleaned upholstery, especially if the upholstery is made of delicate, soft fibers like silk. Let Steamatic suggest options to repels stains, add  UV protection, reduce static electricity and inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Upholstery Cleaning In Western Wisconsin

Steamatic of Western Wisconsin, a division of TRAC Solutions, has a team of highly trained professionals that are educated in the proper cleaning of the many different types of upholstery materials. We make sure that your upholstery is cleaned the right way, every time; each piece of your furniture requires unique cleaning techniques to fit the fabric needs. Call 715-953-2208 to schedule some preventative maintenance to keep your furniture looking great for years to come.