Cleaning Upholstered Furniture

Cleaning upholstered furniture is a great way to freshen any room. Follow these simple steps:

1. Remove cushions and if your upholstery is a fabric that can be washed, remove the fabric from the cushions and put them in the wash. Be sure to use cold water and let them air dry so that they do not shrink.

2. Use a dusting brush and a vacuum brush to remove dust and dirt from the furniture.

3. Vacuum all surfaces of the furniture.

4. Now you can use a brush and a commercial upholstery shampoo to clean the remaining areas or you can make a homemade version of upholstery shampoo. Combine ¼ cup liquid dish detergent or laundry detergent with 1 cup warm water. Whip the mixture with a hand mixer.

5. Be sure to test a small hidden area with any shampoo you are using to make sure it does not cause discoloration. Let this area dry before you continue.

6. If the shampoo does not cause any problems, clean the rest of the upholstery using a brush to apply the shampoo.

7. The soap suds will pick up the dirt. Use a spatula to remove the dirty suds and then wipe the area with a clean slightly damp cloth.

8. Let the upholstery dry completely.

9. Replace the cushion covers, if they were washed.