Once in a while, people in the Pittsburgh, PA area can stain their beloved upholstery and may be unsure as to how to clean it. With these helpful tips, upholstery cleaning can be a breeze. The first step to cleaning any upholstery is to vacuum it to remove any dirt or debris that could be in it. Follow that by checking the label to ensure you’re using safe and approved cleaners.

The first step is vacuuming. It’s important to vacuum frequently to help keep the upholstery in good shape and to prevent crumbs and debris from falling into the crevices. Make sure to thoroughly vacuum the cushions as well as the nooks and crannies to remove any crumbs or debris. If there’s a stain, vacuuming can reveal how bad the stain actually is as well as possibly make it slightly better.

After vacuuming, check the upholstery’s cleaning tag to determine what kind of cleaning chemicals can be used safely on the upholstery. Most types of upholstery can be cleaned with water, but for some, it’s best to use only approved cleaners. Some pieces of upholstery, like antiques or vintage furniture, may lack cleaning tags. For these it’s best to spot-clean on a hidden area of the upholstery in case the cleaner isn’t effective or causes unwanted side effects.

After these two steps, it’s time to move on to the cleaning process. In this phase, if the upholstery can be cleaned with water, we recommend adding a little dish soap to create a simple solution and using a wrung-out sponge to blot-clean stains. Blotting is best because rubbing at a stain can push it deeper into the upholstery and damage the fabric.

After phase one, if the stain has endured, it’s best to move to phase two. In this phase, if the gentle cleaners didn’t work, it’s time to break out the heavy-duty cleaners. When using a stronger cleaner, it’s recommended to spot check it in an inconspicuous spot to prevent ruining the look and feel of the upholstery.

If you’re unable to remove the stain after all these steps, you’ve have encountered a tough stain. If this is the case, it’s recommended to repeat the above steps. This usually works to help remove even the toughest of stains.

If the stain still prevails, give ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey a call at (724) 834-8889 for our expert, thorough, and effective upholstery cleaning services. We have a dedicated team of professionals ready to help you tackle any stains that may be plaguing your upholstery in the Pittsburgh, PA, area.