It is a known fact that furniture is not made of just wood or metal. They have upholstery made of various fabrics which enhance the beauty of the furniture as well as the décor of the room. Upholstery gets dirty, gather dust and need to be cleaned regularly. Here are a few tips on cleaning upholstery.

To start cleaning your upholstery the first thing is to know the cleaning code for your fabric which is given on one of the tags on the furniture piece of furniture. If your piece is quite old and you don't know what the fabric or its cleaning code is, try spot-cleaning a small, unobtrusive area to test for compatibility. The best and the easiest method to remove dust from upholstery at home or showroom is to use a vacuum cleaner. It is better to place a soft screen in front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle so that it prevents the tip of the cleaner from damaging the material. The brush attachment should be used properly.

For fabrics that require cleaning with the foam of a mild detergent, remove any excess foam using a cardboard piece or a rubber spatula. Keep the material as dry as possible during cleaning so as to reduce any shrinking of the fabric. In case of removable fabric, machine wash. If you use a futon instead of a sofa, always turn and flip the cushion once a month. You should also toss the cover of the futon in the wash at the same time.

Cleaning codes currently used by the upholstery industry

W	Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. You can spot-clean by using only the foam from a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Unobtrusive areas should be spot tested. Apply foam in a circular motion with a soft brush.
S	Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. You can spot-clean by using dry-cleaning solution. Cleaning must be done in a well-ventilated room. Avoid using carbon tetrachloride. Spot test in an unobtrusive area. Take professional furniture cleaning service.
W-S	Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. Spot-clean with a mild solvent. Follow the directions carefully if using a solvent or dry-cleaning product. Use only in a well-ventilated room. Avoid using any cleaning product having carbon tetrachloride. Spot test in an unobtrusive area.
X	Clean only by vacuuming and light dusting. Avoid using water and solvent cleaners as it can cause shrinking, stains or disrupt the surface appearance. Take experts help if the upholstery is damaged or stained to a great extent.

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