Your upholstery is just as much a part of your home décor as your walls, carpeting, lighting, curtains, and framed photographs, so failure to keep it looking fresh and clean can make the whole room seem less impressive. Use these simple tips to freshen up the upholstery on your furniture and keep it in optimal condition.
Removing Old Stains
The product you will use to remove old stains depends on the type of stains you wish to remove. While some commercially available cleaning products are great for removing very old and deep-set stains, there are a number of home remedies you can try first before introducing harsh chemicals to your environment.
For Red Wine: Hydrogen peroxide is the go-to stain remover for red wine stains. You can also try blotting the stain with white wine if it isn’t too old.
For Coffee: Surprisingly, you can use an egg yolk mixed with a few drops of rubbing alcohol to remove coffee stains. Rub the mixture into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the egg off with cool water.
For Grass and Ink: Again, hydrogen peroxide is the best option for removing grass and ink stains.
For Mud: Dirty shoes are a common culprit of mud stains on furniture. After the mud is dry, slice a potato in half and rub the white part into the stain. Let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse with cool water.
For Blood: Blood stains are notoriously difficult to remove. The best natural remedy for removing blood stains is to soak the fabric is salt water for a few hours. Rinse the stain as best as you can, then re-soak in a water and ammonia solution. Rinse again, and the stain should be gone.
General Maintenance
Once you have restored your upholstery to its pre-stain condition, general maintenance is required to keep fabrics fresh and clean. Keeping your furniture out of direct sunlight is key; try using UV-protection shades or light curtains if you want to let light into the room without causing your upholstery and carpeting to quickly fade. Some natural fibers need to be kept in relatively high humidity areas to keep the fabric looking its best. Clean spills as soon as they are made, since new stains are easier to remove than old ones, and brush or vacuum upholstery regularly. To keep upholstery smelling fresh, sprinkle a little baking soda on the fabric before you vacuum to help remove bad odors.
Following these easy tips can help keep your upholstery in optimal condition, while keeping your home décor fresh and your environment chemical-free.
