Best Upholstery Cleaner

To keep your expensive couch or sofa looking as good as new, you need to schedule a regular cleaning. Dust and stains that accumulate on your couch over a period of time, makes it look dirty and drab. The best upholstery cleaner is one that will remove stains and dirt without damaging the fabric of the upholstery.

Tips for Choosing Upholstery Cleaner

There are some things that you need to remember while choosing an upholstery cleaner.

• Keep in mind the kind of upholstery that needs to be cleaned. A cleaner that works for a particular type of fabric might not work for another. If you have a leather couch, you will need a specific leather upholstery cleaner. Basically, different types of upholstery fabric needs different types of cleaners.
• If there are stains that needs to cleaned, it is better to go for a strong formulation in the upholstery cleaner.
• Finally when you do buy a cleaner, make sure that you do a spot test on the underside of your couch to check for any discolorations.

Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

If you have neglected cleaning your upholstery for a long period of time, then you need to call professional upholstery cleaners. However, if you want to clean your couch or sofa at home, you can do so with the help of some basic supplies.

• Mix cup of mild liquid dishwasher to a cup of warm water. Apply this mixture with a soft brush on the fabric to be cleaned. Scrub gently and let it dry for 5 - 6 minutes. In another cup, pour some water and take a fresh sponge and rub the fabric once again to remove the cleaner. You can also use a toothbrush with soft bristles to get rid of any tough stains on your upholstery.
• In a spray bottle, combine 5 tablespoons of vodka, with a cup of distilled water and a few drops of lemon essential oil. Spray this on your upholstery after you have vacuum cleaned it. This spray will keep your furniture smelling fresh.
• Mix 2 tablespoons of coarse sea salt with 1 tablespoon of borax and enough distilled water to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on stains, scrubbing in a gentle circular movement. Let it dry completely and then wipe with a moistened clean cloth.
• Mix equal parts of white vinegar with equal parts of distilled water. Apply this mixture on the stain on the upholstery and let it dry. Take a clean sponge, dip it in water and blot the spot. Vinegar is not suitable for leather upholstery so avoid using it.

Best Upholstery Cleaner Machines

Whether you need to clean carpets or your sofa, purchasing an upholstery cleaning machine can be a very good investment. Some of the best upholstery cleaning machines are:

• Bissell PowerSteamer Proheat Plus Carpet Cleaner
• Hoover SteamVac Plus Steamer Cleaner
• Dirt Devil Easy Steamer Carpet Extractor
• Eureka Atlantis Deluxe Steam Cleaner

Some of these cleaners have a rotating high pressure brush which helps in dislodging dirt and they also come with many cleaning attachments which can reach even the most hard to reach spaces.

Regular vacuuming can greatly improve the life of your furniture upholstery and help in maintaining it. Use a small but powerful vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean the sides and cushions of your furniture. One of the cheapest upholstery cleaners is plain distilled water. Just dip a clean rag in water and rub your upholstery with it. Vacuum clean when it is dry. Although expensive, some of the best upholstery cleaning products are available in the market that are specifically designed to remove even the toughest of spots.