The comprehensive guide to upholstery cleaning you need
We love our furniture but most of us dread having to get it cleaned. It’s time-consuming and often quite confusing. It becomes a task many of us ignore but regular care and maintenance helps our furniture stay fresh, hygienic, and in good condition for much longer. Whether it’s a spot clean to remove an accidental spill or a deep clean to really revive the upholstery, we’ve got the guide you need to clean your upholstery.
Anatomy of upholstery
Before diving into cleaning your beloved furniture, it’s essential to understand its composition. The upholstery fabric, filling, and supporting structures can determine the appropriate type of cleaning. Although you’ll usually find these details in your furniture’s care instructions, what matters most is understanding the different types of fabrics and the fibres contained within each fabric.
Instead of opting for conventional upholstery, consumers today are asking for FibreGuard. The beauty and durability of these fabrics are among the reasons Arcadia Designz offers FibreGuard upholstery on its furniture. The company based in Johannesburg specialises in manufacturing bespoke furniture items to client specifications. They eschew a standard catalogue because the customers bring an image or idea and Arcadia Designz personalises it, offering FibreGuard upholstery to ensure the furniture boasts the highest quality. They’ll even reupholster existing furniture pieces! This level of customisation along with the peace of mind of its stain-free technology fabric helps clients create furniture that sparks joy for many, many years.
Easy cleaning with FibreGuard
If your furniture is upholstered with FibreGuard, cleaning is a breeze. FibreGuard’s built-in easy-clean qualities are targeted at accidental spills and marks that occur in our everyday life.
Common household stains, such as chocolate, coffee, tea, ketchup, lipstick, mayonnaise, mud, oil, pen, red wine, silly putty, yoghurt, wax crayon, and many more stain-causing items, are just no match for FibreGuard’s Stain Free Technology. Unlike topical treatments like Scotchgard, this stain resistance is built into the fabric and it’s not an after market application. This means the Stain Free Technology will never diminish and you can enjoy your upholstered items for much longer.
All accidental stains can be removed using only water, but should you have a tougher stain, a small amount of standard, white, household soap, can be used. Keep in mind that immediate stain removal will ensure the best result.
Have your choice of stain-resistant fabrics
FibreGuard allows you to enjoy the textures and designs you love in your upholstery without worry or restriction. Proposition is an extensive collection of staple neutrals with a hundred colours and designs, and it's also a budget-friendly way to incorporate FibreGuard fabrics. Deluxe is a velvet that boasts a high-end aesthetic in a tight weave construction and subtle, brushed effect creating a warm surface. Velvets may seem tough to clean but not when it’s Deluxe by FibreGuard.
For something more diverse, Overland from FibreGuard is a versatile collection. Its three contemporary geometric jacquards offer classic modern motifs reimagined for the home environment. These fabrics can also be used as drapery for a warm look.
Regular cleaning for standard upholstery fabrics
Whether you have FibreGuard or not, your upholstered furniture should be part of your regular cleaning routine. What it usually needs regular vacuuming to remove surface dirt, pet hair or any other debris. You want to get into all the little nooks and crannies and rotate the cushions if possible.
An important aspect of upholstery cleaning is addressing spills promptly to prevent stains from setting. When a stain is fresh, blot away as much of the spill as possible as quickly as possible. This can be done with paper towels or with a soft cleaning cloth. If there is a stain, it helps to know what the upholstery fabric is to apply the correct cleaning method.
You never want to rub hard when cleaning upholstery as this might push the stain further into the fabric or lower levels of the upholstery. A clean microfibre cloth, a tiny amount of dishwashing liquid or vinegar, and care and patience can do wonders in cleaning up a stain from an upholstered piece of furniture.
Steam cleaning is often the easiest and most hygienic method for cleaning upholstery. Again, check if it is suitable for the fabric and furniture. Many retailers and brands now also offer eco-friendly or all-natural cleaning products for furniture that can be used for many types of upholstery fabric. Read the labels carefully to check the product composition and any warnings that are advised. It’s also advised to have your furniture professionally cleaned once a year at least unless you have slipcovers that can be machine washed.
Cleaning techniques for different upholstery types
Synthetic Fabrics (Polyester, Olefin): Use a diluted mild detergent or approved upholstery cleaner. Gently agitate with a brush, blot with a clean cloth, and rinse if allowed.
Natural Fabrics (Cotton, Linen): Apply a diluted mild detergent or upholstery cleaner and gently agitate with a brush. Blot gently with a clean, white cloth, and rinse with water if the code allows it.
Blended Fabrics (Rayon, Viscose): Use a diluted mild detergent or approved upholstery cleaner according to the code.
Give me easy cleaning upholstery!
If you’re looking at updating your furniture or perhaps would like to revitalise an existing item, consider FibreGuard fabrics for your upholstery. Arcadia Designz are among the retailers who can offer you a selection of FibreGuard fabrics but our expert staff at any of our Home Fabrics showrooms around South Africa can also connect you to a relevant retailer in your area. If you want to see for yourself just how easy it is to clean FibreGuard fabric have a look here or visit your local showroom and ask for a demonstration.
Shop the look
Here are some of our favourite fabrics featured in this article, and where you can buy them.
Collection: Deluxe by FibreGuard
Fabric type: Plain | Velvet | Upholstery
Colour: 30-Scuba
Available at: Home Fabrics
Collection: Overland by FibreGuard
Fabric type: Geometric | Jacquard | Upholstery
Colour: 23-Mist
Available at: Home Fabrics
Collection: Proposition by FibreGuard
Fabric type: Plain | Flat Weave | Upholstery
Colour: 13-Whisper
Available at: Home Fabrics
