Homeowner’s Guide to Upholstery Cleaning

Steps in Cleaning Your Own Upholstery Yourself:

1. Pre-Inspection:
• Pre-inspection is by far the most important step in cleaning upholstery.
• Examine the upholstery piece extensively for all pre-existing conditions.
• Inspect for previous damage and possible problems.
• Look for loose buttons, tears, holes, loose legs, mold, etc.
2. Check for a upholstery cleaning code tag. Cleaning codes are typically found under the seat cushions or on the platform.
• These codes offer instructions on how the upholstered furniture pieces in question should be cleaned.
• The letter “W” means that it is safe to clean the upholstery item with a water based neutral pH cleaning product.
• The letter “F” means that the upholstery should be cleaned with a foamy shampoo product.
• The letter “S” on the tag means that the upholstery item should be cleaned with a water-free cleaning product such as a dry cleaning solvent.
• If both the letters “W” and “S” appear on the tag then the homeowner can use both types of cleaning products.
• However, if the letter “X” appears on the tag of the upholstery item, you should let your furniture items be cleaned by a professional.
3. Vacuum thoroughly before using any cleaners or spotters.
4. Remove any remaining pet hair.
5. Clean upholstery with a mild neutral pH cleaner designed for upholstery (unless the cleaning code indicates professional or dry / solvent cleaning only).
6. Remove any remaining spots with a mild spotter such as Perky^®. Never rub - blot.
7. Move furniture back if you pulled it out.
8. If the upholstery is on a wet carpet or rug, place tabs or plastic under the legs to avoid rust or wood furniture stains.
9. Dry and groom the cleaned upholstery if needed.
10. While you can easily rent a carpet cleaning machine to clean your upholstery, but you will probably overwet the sofa or chair and end up with browning and drying problems and a moldy odor.

LEATHER:

Leather is the ordinary designation of tanned hides and skins.

Leather terms & types of leather:

• Split: 
  All leather hides have to be split into two hides because a hide is too thick to upholster or use in any type of manufacturing. The bottom hide is known as split leather. This hide can be sanded down (corrected) and embossed with a consistent graining pattern to be used on the outside back and sides of sofa for a slight cost savings. A split leather is still 100% leather, and has all the same finishing treatments as the top grain portion.
• Top Grain: 
  In the above process the top grain portion is the top portion of the hide. It is generally used in the areas that receive more wear since the fiber of top grain is more compact than that of split grain.
• Full Grain: 
  Top grain leather that uses the grain of the hide. No correction is made to the grain.
• Embossed Grain: 
  From above, using rollers a consistent graining pattern is “pressed” into the leather. It can be as subtle a small natural looking graining pattern, or as different as a crocodile pattern.
• Corrected Grain: 
  This leather is top grain aniline dyed leather. Small natural markings and scars are sanded from the hide and then it is pigment coated for color consistency. Then a clear protective top-coat is applied to prevent fading and stains.
• Pull-up: 
  Aniline - dyed leather that has been waxed or oiled. When the leather is pulled, the oil/wax separates, causing the color to lighten.

Cleaning and Care of Pure Anilines and Nu-Buk Leather Upholstery:

You’ll notice that leather initially repels most spills, but if left to stand, they’ll be absorbed. That’s why it is important to blot any liquids immediately with a clean cloth or sponge and let air dry. Most spills and stains will dissipate with time. For stubborn spots and stains, blot excess liquid immediately with clean absorbent sponge or cloth. If you need more help, use distilled water and a clean white cloth and let air dry. Use soap sparingly and lots of distilled water. Always test a hidden area to convince yourself of the effectiveness of that method.

LEATHER WILL ABSORB OILS. Appropriate preventative care must be taken to avoid these stains as they may be permanent.

Leather Upholstery Care and Protection:

As a general rule, most leather creams, saddle soaps, and various leather care products should not be used. They are not intended for household, upholstered leather.

Dry clean with chemical sponges, and/or towels with solvent. Finish as needed with a cream or oil-based leather cleaner applied by hand.

Simulated Leather (Vinyl/Naugahyde) Upholstery):

Non-woven materials made to look like leather. Should be wet cleaned only. If solvent is used for spotting, it must be used extremely carefully and must not contain any chlorinated solvents.

Related Upholstery Care Articles:

• Leather Upholstery Care
• Microfiber Furniture Care
• Pet Hair
• Upholstery Cleaning for the Professional
• Upholstery Cleaning Codes

Related Upholstery Care Products:

• Bane-Glides™ Furniture Movers
• EZ Moves™ for moving even heavier furniture, file cabinets and other heavy equipment
• Furniture Brush
• Furniture Tabs
• Handi-Brush™ for Pet Hair and as a Carding Brush
• Handi-Groom™
• Lift Buddy™
• Perky^® All-Purpose Spotter Carpet and Upholstery Spot and Stain Remover