How to Clean Dirty Upholstery

Dirty upholstery is not only unpleasant to see, it also shortens the lifespan of your furniture. Accidental stains, spills and pet odors can give upholstered furniture a dingy appearance, if left untreated. While some cleaners claim to be safe on upholstery, it is crucial to check the furniture's cleaning tag to determine the suitable cleaning method. The letters on the cleaning tag indicate the required cleaning method; some upholstery may require professional cleaning rather than at-home cleaning, according to Good Housekeeping.

Cleaning brush
Mild dishwashing liquid
Small bowl
Clean cloths
Eye dropper
Hydrogen peroxide
Solvent-based cleaner

Instructions

Water-Based Cleaning
- 1
  Brush the upholstery with a cleaning brush to remove surface dirt.
- 2
  Mix 1 tsp. of dishwashing liquid into a small bowl of water and wet a cleaning cloth in the mixture.
- 3
  Blot the stains on the upholstery and wipe the surface with another damp cleaning cloth.
- 4
  Fill an eye dropper with hydrogen peroxide and blot the stain with the eye dropper.
- 5
  Blot the spot with a damp cloth and allow it to air-dry.
Solvent-Based Cleaning
- 6
  Spray a solvent-based cleaner onto a cleaning cloth or spray the cleaner on the upholstery.
- 7
  Let the solvent penetrate the upholstery's surface for 3 to 5 minutes.
- 8
  Wipe the remaining solvent with a clean cloth to remove residue.

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Furniture Care

How to Clean Dirty Upholstery

Instructions

Water-Based Cleaning

Solvent-Based Cleaning