Clean Stains On Upholstery With Homemade Products

Many of the upholstered pieces that are in a house are not removable or do not fit in the washing machine. Cleaning them is often challenging and the choice is harsh and potentially toxic chemicals. However, there are natural and effective options found at home.

If you use the right household products , removing stains and removing odors is not a problem and, unlike what happens with many conventional cleaning products, these substances are also respectful with the environment.

It doesn’t matter if it’s chocolate, red wine, ballpoint ink, or pet stains, the following methods are worth trying instead of using a special upholstery cleaner with questionable and expensive ingredients.

How to remove stains from upholstery

The main rule to keep in mind when removing stains is that they are best removed while they are still fresh. In many cases, a little water and a cloth are more than enough to remove them.

For stains that are more stubborn or old (such as pens, wax-like paints, chocolate, red wine, blood, vomit, etc.), or those that can no longer be identified because they have dried, baking soda has been shown to be effective.

To carry out the cleaning with baking soda you need:

• 50-100 g of baking soda
• Sponge or cloth
• Vaccum cleaner

Before starting to clean, do a test in an inconspicuous area, if the upholstery material is suitable for this method you will see that the color remains intact, on the contrary if you see that the material clears up, do not continue with the rest.

The time you will need will be about 30 minutes. To clean your upholstery with baking soda, do the following:

• Apply baking soda. Sprinkle generously over soiled areas and work gently with a soft sponge or damp cloth. Don’t use a scratching sponge, as you could end up damaging the fabric.
• Let the baking soda take effect. Wait for the baking soda to take effect and let it sit until completely dry.
• Vacuum up the remaining baking soda. Remove the dried baking soda along with the dirt with a vacuum cleaner. Use a brush to remove any non-first-time vacuum debris from the fabric, and when you’ve freed it up, vacuum it up as well.

For stubborn stains, it is advisable to mix equal parts of baking soda and water, apply it to the affected areas and leave it on for a short time. Remove the wet paste with a cloth, allow the residue to dry and vacuum thoroughly.

How to remove unpleasant odors from upholstery

Unpleasant odors such as those caused by vomit, cat urine, or spilled food can also be removed with baking soda, mixed with a little water and alcohol, and a few drops of essential oils. This mixture not only eliminates the bad smell, but also provides a pleasant aroma that you can choose yourself according to your preferences.

If at a certain point you don’t have time, you can sprinkle the upholstered furniture that gives off a bad smell with a little baking soda, let it act and then remove it with the vacuum cleaner. This method can also be used to clean mattresses.

Leather sofas and armchairs

Leather covers also need a bit of care. To provide them with what they need, you can mix coconut oil and safflower oil in equal parts. Warm the mixture and rub the leather surfaces until they no longer absorb any more oil.

This oil-based care ensures that when a stain occurs it can be easily removed. However, in certain circumstances, it can also darken leather surfaces, so as with the bicarbonate method, it is necessary to test the oil treatment in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire piece.

If your upholstery is made of artificial leather, under no circumstances should you grease it, you just have to clean it with a damp cloth, and if necessary with a drop of dishwasher.