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Upholstery cleaning can be challenging at times, especially if you have never washed a couch before. Most of the upholstery materials can either be cotton or leather. A wide range of these materials have proven to be tricky to wash with the common household cleansers. In fact, the normal cleansers leave numerous marks as well as spots on the couch surface. When this happens, you may consider seeking the services of an experienced cleaner to help you get rid of stubborn spots. On the other hand, you may choose to do the job yourself provided you have the necessary cleaning solutions and some few tips on how to clean upholstered furniture.
How to keep the sofa in good shape
In order to keep your home comfortable and appealing, you ought to maintain the quality of the settee. Here below are the things you should know before you can begin the process:
Material of the couch
Once you know the type of the material used to make your upholstery, you can initiate cleaning. If you cannot identify the material used, it is advisable to seek the services of the professional. Remember cleaning agents differ and some have been formulated for specific materials. This means that you might end up ruining your revered settee by accidentally picking the wrong cleanser. To avoid making such mistakes, it is prudent to go through the letter codes, and if you do not understand what these codes mean, then consult an expert.
Cleaning Leather
Cleaning and maintaining settees made of leather is the easiest. All you have to do is look for a cotton rag or a soft brush that can sweep dust and filth away from the couch. To clean the leather, dip the cotton rag in water and wipe it. This way, you can restore your upholstered furniture to its original shape and color. Whenever you are cleaning up the leather couches, remember to brush the dust that likely accumulates on the corners. After you have thoroughly cleaned the sofa, you can polish it with the cleaning agents which are readily available in various hardware stores near you.
Cleaning Fabric
The modern settees feature fabric of different colors and quality. Cleaning such settees require vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust on the couch. However, the vacuum cleaner is not ideal for large solid particles. As a rule of thumb, it is essential to sweep away all the particles that are visible to your eye. On the other hand, you can get rid of the stains by dipping a soft rag in a mixture of water and detergents. For stubborn stains, make use of soft bristled brush with a mixture of detergents can do the trick. 
Understanding the Upholstery Codes
If you do not know what the codes are, then read on. To find the code, you need to look for the fabric tag on your settee. The code helps you to determine the material used to make it. Majority of the couch makers make use of the letter codes as a way to let you know how to clean particular furniture. Some of these codes include:
Letter W
It means that the material can be washed with water based detergent.
Letter S
The code implies that the settee can be dry cleaned, or washed with water free of detergents.
Letters WS
Letters WS means that the fabric can be cleaned up using dry cleaner as well as water based cleaner.
Code X
When you come across this letter, know that the fabric/material can only be cleaned by vacuuming or by taking it to the professional to dry clean it.
Code O
The letter o implies that the material is made of natural fiber or organic material, so it ought to be washed in cold water for better results.
Selecting the Right Cleaning Option
There are two upholstery cleaning options to choose from namely: wet cleaning and dry cleaning. Wet clean up involves the use of water based chemicals to get rid of filth, whereas dry cleaning utilizes solvent- based solutions to clear dust and any other form of dirt respectively. When choosing the option to embrace, it is important to confirm the care label or the code tag attached under the cushions of majority of fittings.
Wet Cleaning Options
Hot Water Extraction
Steam extraction or hot water extraction is one of the easiest methods to use, especially if the equipment is readily available. To get started, you need to connect the upholstery wand to the appliance and introduce the appropriate cleaning mixture. Take away the cushions from the couch and have them cleaned. Have a clean towel put on the bottom of your upholstery to absorb the excess dripping water. Bring the wand close to the fabric and press the trigger to let out the cleaning solution. Repeat the procedure until you are certain that the fabric is free of dirt. Use the dry passes over the upholstery to draw the excess moisture.
Hand Shampoo
This is one of the cleaning alternatives you can choose whenever you want to clean your sofa. You should make sure that you have the following items: a bucket, sponge, upholstery shampoo, and white terry drying cloth. Such items can be bought from any home improvement store near you. Since there are a variety of shampoos on the market, select the shampoo that is appropriate for hand-shampooing upholstery.
Prepare the upholstery detergent as directed by the manufacturer. Using the sponge, agitate the mixture, so as to ensure that the solution is mixed uniformly. With a sponge in your hand, apply the suds to the material circularly. As a word of caution, do not rub on the upholstery since rubbing may damage it. Simply dry it up using dry towels.
Dry Cleaning
In this case, the solvents do not form the solvents. Once the detergent is ready, dip the sponge into it, and twist out, so as to apply to the couch in circular movement. Wipe it with a clean towel for the best results.
Before you mix the detergents, please read through the instruction label to avoid risks associated with mishandling of the cleaning products. Some of them are inflammable, and thus should be used in a highly ventilated area to lower possible risks of fire or even dead.
