Cleaning Upholstered Furniture Stains
By JB Anthony

One of the most important things to consider when buying upholstered furniture and home furnishings is its maintenance. A beautiful and expensive upholstered furniture can easily look old and dirty without proper cleaning and without proper maintenance. Dust, direct light and sunshine, constant wear and tear, not to mention kids activities such as drawing crayons on the living room’s upholstered sofa and on your expensive coffee tables are just some of the most common factors that hastens the aging of your upholstered furniture. Furniture should be cleaned and maintained not only for it to look its best but also to preserve it and make it last longer, allowing the homeowner to save on more furniture expenses.

Furniture maintenance and furniture cleaning is important. However, not every housewife know just how to go about it. And if they did, they sometimes don’t know just what materials to use in cleaning their furniture.

Here are, therefore, some tips on cleaning and maintaining the new, expensive and luxurious looks of your upholstered furniture that your home simply deserves and on maintaining your furniture’s functionality for a longer period.

Upholstered Furniture

When kids and guests spill wine or colored drinks on your sofa and upholstered furniture, it is always best to clean it right away. The longer the stain soaks into the material such as cloth or leather, the harder it is for you to remove it. If there are dirt, lightly brush the dirt first before using clean, cold water with white tissue paper to blot the liquid spill. It is not advisable to rub or scrub the stain with a brush as this will definitely cause damage the leather or the fibers of your furniture. Regular vacuuming in light mode is also recommended to maintain your furniture.

When the need calls for chemical solutions as means of cleaning your furniture, always use the lightest and weakest solution first on a small and hidden part of the furniture. This way, you will be able to observe the chemical solution’s effect on your furniture: if it has cleaned it or damaged the fibers or leather instead. A 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution is one of the most common treatment used on stained leather furniture. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is used as a cleaner by dabbing it on the stained area. Afterwards, when the stain has disappeared, it may be dabbed with clean, cold water, using white tissue.

When it comes to the furniture in your home, the line “prevention is better than cure” is sometimes impossible especially with rowdy kids and careless guests around. When it comes to furniture, sometimes it is better to know the stain cure when stain prevention is impossible.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.fashionandfurniture.com For more product links, product reviews, product information, furniture buying tips, articles, information and guide on furniture, please visit http://www.fashionandfurniture.com

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The Proper Cleaning of a Microfiber Sofa
By Andrew Caxton

There is a trick to cleaning microfiber furniture properly. Make sure you follow these tips to be sure you get the best results. So many people today are buying beautiful furniture made of microfiber fabric, and it is no wonder. It has a beautiful look and is durable and long lasting. But if a guest spills a drink, or a child with dirty hands or greasy fingers is on it, what happens to it? Here is what you need to do to deal with these all too common situations.

Once you are the owner of microfiber furniture, there are certain things you should do. First, read the tags and the manufacturer's instructions. Be aware of any warnings, especially about products you should not use on your furniture. Follow closely any warnings and instructions the manufacturer gives you. Next, frequently vacuum your furniture with a high powered vacuum cleaner. This keeps the surface free of lint, debris, dust and pet hairs. Your vacuuming schedule will depend on your lifestyle. Once a month should normally be fine, but if you have small children or pets, you will want to do it more often. If you have an accidental spill, the most important thing it to treat it quickly, Blot the spill with a white terry cloth. Do not rub or scrub it. Then, using a mild detergent and a little water, wash the spot out, without rubbing too hard. Do not use any cleaning or laundry products with bleach, as this will discolor the fabric. If a stain still has not come out, try a dry cleaning product. Check the instructions on the product label to make sure it is safe for your fabric. Finally, you can have a professional come in and clean the furniture. If your fabric has general stains that have accumulated or that you did not clean up in time, that is probably the best solution. The professionals know which products should be used on the furniture so you won't risk damaging your furniture.

Do not use a carpet cleaning machine with a furniture attachment on your microfiber furniture. This will cause wrinkles in the fiber and may even cause it to shrink. You are much better off leaving any kind of deep cleaning to a professional. Microfiber furniture is very popular and you will love it too, if you just keep it looking great by following theses guidelines.

Andrew Caxton is a reliable journalist who has published more articles and newsletters on this subject for www.home-decorating-reviews.com . A website with tips on microfiber furniture, including microfiber sofas and how to care it

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Choosing New Upholstery
By James C

If you are ready to buy new furniture for your home you should stop for a minute to think about what kind of upholstery you should get. Its an important decision. It could mean the difference between buying a couch or chair that lasts for years or for only months. There are many different types of upholstery and they are best for different uses. This article will help guide you in making your decision.

Silk

Silk material is best for formal living rooms and rooms that are more for show. They will not hold up well to regular use and will stain easily. Silk is a difficult material to clean so if you get anything on it, it will probably be there forever. If you have children or pets, do not even consider silk.

Cotton Upholstery

Cotton upholstery is very comfortable but will also stain easily. If you buy cotton fabrics, be sure to have them professionally protected. If you have young kids or animals, this may not be the best fabric for you. If you have kids but still want cotton, choose a darker color which will be harder to stain and will show wear less. Be wary of polished cottons which are almost as troublesome as silk. They look incredible but are not suitable for daily use.

Wool

Wool is rather expensive but holds up very well to wear. IF you get wool, be sure to have it professionally protected since it can stain. With proper upholstery care however, wool will last for decades. It can be extremely durable.

Synthetic Fabrics

This is probably the material for you if you have kids, animals or a very high traffic room. Synthetics may not be quite as soft as cottons but they are much more durable. They are resistant to abrasion and do not stain easily. They wont last you 10 years but they won't cost an arm and a leg either.

Hopefully this article has given you some information that you can use when you purchase your next piece of furniture. Take your time, choose wisely and you will have furniture that you can enjoy for years.

James C. operates a directory of Carpet Cleaning Companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_C

From Soiled to Stunning: How to Clean Leather and Fabric Upholstered Sofas
By Vanessa Kirkland

No matter how durable or stain resistant the upholstery, your sofa is destined to receive an unfortunate spill every now and then. Even if your furniture enjoys only light use and the most pristine care, dust accumulates daily and leads to dingy fabric, dull leather, and diluted colors. Follow these easy tips for cleaning even the most stubborn sofa stains, and you'll protect your investment and maximize its beauty for years to come.

Cleaning fabric upholstery

Most common messes such as dirt, dust, and mud can be removed by shampooing or steam-cleaning the fabric.

1. First, vacuum the entire surface of the sofa to remove dry, loose dirt. Always complete this step before getting your upholstery wet--it will ensure a much more effective result.

2. Next, it's time pre-treat the stain. Using a clean, white, very damp cloth, dab the stain to saturate it with water and loosen stubborn dirt particles.

3. Use your cleaning agent to spot-test the upholstery for colorfastness. You can use a commercial upholstery cleaner, or you can save a few dollars by making your own: In a large bowl, combine ½ teaspoon dish or laundry detergent with a quart of warm water. Using a mixer, combine the ingredients until they turn frothy and sudsy. You'll use only the suds as the cleaning agent, so you might need to mix up additional batches for an adequate amount to saturate the entire stained area. To test, apply only the dry suds to a hidden part of your sofa's upholstery and lightly scrub into the fabric with a cloth or soft-bristled brush. Allow the spot to dry. If the area hasn't lightened or changed color (it should look cleaner, but not a different color), you can proceed to the next steps.

4. Steam clean the stain. If you don't have your own steam cleaner, you can rent one from your local supermarket. Apply dry suds from your cleaning mixture to the stain. Using the brush attachment on the steam cleaner, firmly and thoroughly shampoo the stained area in even, circular strokes. Using a spatula, scrape off the suds, then blot the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove the suds from in between the fabric's fibers. You may need to repeat this step once or twice more to completely remove the stain. Once it's removed, you'll likely want to steam clean the entire surface of your sofa to ensure that the fabric wears evenly.

5. Allow the upholstery to dry. It's important that your sofa dries quickly and completely to prevent mildew buildup inside cushions and under upholstery surfaces. Open windows, use an oscillating fan, and turn on a dehumidifier to speed the drying process.

6. Apply a fabric protector. This step will help keep your upholstery stain-resistant and durable.

Cleaning leather upholstery

Most leather sofas are made with finished leather, which is dyed for color uniformity and treated with a clear top coat for maximum durability. Because of this process, many common household stains--especially dirt and mud--can be cleaned with warm water and a clean sponge or cloth. But for tough stains, or to give your leather sofa a thorough cleaning, follow these steps:

1. Vacuum the entire surface of the sofa to remove dry, loose dirt.

2. Using a real soap product formulated for leather, such as saddle soap, lightly apply to soiled areas in broad, circular strokes using a soft brush. Remove excess soap with a clean, dry, white cloth and allow the leather to dry thoroughly.

3. If the stain is still intact, try applying a specially-formulated leather stain remover. For extremely tough stains, other methods may work more effectively. For example, for small ink stains, rubbing a white pencil eraser over the spot often works nicely. For grease, sprinkle cornstarch over the stain and cover with a damp white cloth for six hours. Remove the cornstarch with a dry white cloth, and repeat the process as necessary.

4. Next, it's important to condition the leather to keep it supple and resistant to cracks and fading. Make your own inexpensive leather conditioner by mixing two parts linseed oil and one part vinegar. Using a dry white cloth, work the mixture into the entire surface after cleaning and once a month to ensure the longevity of your leather furniture.

With a little consistent maintenance and only minimal cost, you can keep your sofa looking like new for as long as you plan to own it. Weekly dusting and vacuuming, monthly cleaning, and the immediate treatment of stains are the best ways to protect your investment.

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About the Author

Vanessa Kirkland is freelance writer whose articles offer consumer advice and decorating tips for home furniture including sofas, futons, and recliners.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_Kirkland