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You’ve bought your first furniture set and now you need to take care of it. Having a sofa is great and definitely adds to the beauty and atmosphere of your home, but it also needs to be cleaned and taken care of properly, otherwise you will have a dingy, scruffy futon squatting in the middle of your living room before long. You just have to remember two basic rules for cleaning upholstery. Loose dirt and stains are the two most common culprits in dirtying your furniture, so knowing how to deal with these two will allow you to clean them up easily and painlessly. When it comes to loose dirt, you can just vacuum or brush them away. Remember to do this as quickly as possible, though, before the dirt gets embedded in the fabric. As for cleaning up stains and spills, you can use a dry cloth to soak up and wipe away the liquid. But the best way to learn about proper cleaning of upholstery, however, is to first learn the cleaning codes. Each and every fabric has its own specialized cleaning method, so you have to know what they are. Look for the cleaning codes on one of the tags attached on your furniture, as they will tell you how to properly clean your upholstery. If you can’t find the code, try cleaning a little spot in an inconspicuous area of the furniture to test for compatibility. There are four cleaning codes that are currently used by upholstery manufacturers. I will tell you about them, as well as the recommended procedures related to each code. W – Vacuuming and light dusting are recommended. Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam from mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply the cleaning agent in a circular motion, using a soft cloth or brush. S – You can also vacuum or dust lightly. Use water-free cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning solutions for spot cleaning. Be sure to avoid using products with carbon tetrachloride. Use a soft cloth and clean the upholstery in a well-ventilated area. Getting the services of a professional cleaner is also recommended. WS – You can use any of the recommended methods above. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area if you’re using solvents or dry-cleaning products. Avoid products with carbon tetrachloride. X – You must only clean your furniture by vacuuming or light dusting. Avoid using liquid cleaning agents of any kind. Using water-based cleaners or solvents may cause shrinking and/or damage the upholstery. It is recommended to clean your upholstery at least every two months, or once a month if possible. If you have a futon, try to flip the cushions over at least once a month, and wash the covers at the same time as well. You can use a piece of cardboard or a rubber spatula to remove excess foam. And remember to keep the material as dry as possible during cleaning; this will help keep the fabric from shrinking.
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About the Article Author
Azlan Irda is the co-founder of www.aaafabric.com, which provides high quality fabrics and other products for all your needs. Visit his website to find out more about the latest high quality fabrics for all your fabric needs.
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