If you notice a stain right away, but don’t have a special gel or spray at hand, then you can use folk remedies. In all other cases, it will be easier to use means specially designed for this purpose. Moreover, they can be selected for any type of contamination and amount.
Stain remover Vanish
Average price is about 350 rubles
The most advertised stain remover. It comes in the form of powders, gels and liquids. On the manufacturer's website there is a tool for selecting the most suitable product, where you need to select the type of stain and type of fabric. The most versatile spray is for carpets and upholstery. It even copes with complex stains such as blood, ink, juice and coffee, as well as grease stains and unpleasant odors. At the same time, it does not damage the upholstery and does not cause allergies. Not suitable for processing delicate fabrics: wool, corduroy, velvet, brocade and silk, but they are not so often used for upholstering sofas. This remedy can be called highly effective.
Preparing furniture for cleaning
Before we begin our review of cleaning products for upholstered furniture, let’s look at the preliminary preparation for cleaning.
Procedure:
- Remove dust. Before using the products, thoroughly clean your furniture from dust. To do this, you can use a popular folk method - cover the upholstered furniture with a damp sheet, and then knock it out with a beater. If you have a furniture attachment with your vacuum cleaner, you can use that too.
Important! When using this method, all the dust will remain on the wet sheet and the rest of the furniture in the room will not be damaged.
- Start removing stains.
Cleaning foam for upholstered furniture TUBA
Average price is about 300 rubles
This product is more suitable for general cleaning of furniture, and not for removing stubborn stains. But it copes with its main task perfectly: quickly and efficiently removes dirt and pet hair. The big advantage is that it is foam, which means that excess moisture will not penetrate into the upholstered furniture. It also creates a special protective layer from further contamination. The product from TUBA not only helps to clean upholstered furniture, but also restores its appearance. Also suitable for rugs, carpets, mattresses and home textiles.
The best manufacturers
When choosing products for cleaning upholstered furniture at home, people pay attention to the reputation of the manufacturers. Variety of companies providing their products:
- Shampoos for upholstered furniture and carpets “5+” - the products of this company are odorless and do not irritate human receptors. After diluting the product, it is used as a foam for cleaning upholstered furniture, and when undiluted, the product becomes a good stain remover. You can use “5+” when cleaning furniture or carpet with a washing vacuum cleaner. In addition to removing stains, the product removes static electricity.
- Vox is a Russian-made product. It is distinguished by the appearance of lush foam when diluted with water. It is this foam that is applied to the contaminated surface, left until completely dry, and then removed with a vacuum cleaner or brush. The product has an extremely pleasant aroma, does not leave streaks and is inexpensive. It is able to remove stains of various contaminants without significant effort and does not require rinsing with water, which saves the owner’s energy.
- “Help” is a product in a convenient package. It is equipped with a sprayer with different operating modes. Unfortunately, this product is quite caustic; you can only work with it while wearing gloves. The product is sprayed onto the contaminated areas, left for a few minutes and removed with a damp cloth. It is necessary to wipe the cleansing area several times until the chemical is completely removed. It is not capable of removing every type of stain and requires preliminary testing on inconspicuous areas of the fabric, as it can damage the structure of the fabric. But this product effectively eliminates odors.
- Selena is an inexpensive product that can clean any surface. With its help you can remove old and stubborn stains. Not suitable for treating large surfaces, used exclusively for spot treatment of stains. It doesn't wash off well, so you have to make an effort. One of the advantages is not a strong smell.
The best preparations and cleaning products are chosen depending on the characteristics of the upholstery and the work required. For example, some substances are suitable for general cleaning of furniture, while others are suitable for removing stubborn stains that are difficult to remove.
5+
Vox
Help
Selena
Spray for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture Unicum
Average price is about 160 rubles
A more budget-friendly product with minimal consumption. Suitable for both removing difficult stains and general cleaning of sofas. In addition, it perfectly eliminates unpleasant odors, and does not just mask them. The spray also forms an invisible film on the surface of upholstered furniture, which facilitates all subsequent cleaning. Well suited for car interiors.
Cleaning products
When choosing a product for cleaning a sofa with a washing vacuum cleaner, it is better to give preference to special products. As a rule, it is designed for specific materials and will not harm the furniture.
Modern products are concentrated, so large amounts added to the container may leave streaks on the sofa. To prevent this from happening, it is better to reduce the amount of detergent, even if the manufacturer declares a different amount. No matter how much product you use (even a teaspoon), it will still work.
If you doubt whether you should trust your sofa to a vacuum cleaner, you can always contact a dry cleaner. There they will offer you their services for cleaning upholstered furniture using professional equipment and safe products.
Active foam Nordland
Average price is about 320 rubles
This is an environmentally friendly product that is not tested on animals. It will be an ideal remedy in homes where allergy sufferers and small children live. But there is also a minus - a large expense with a high cost. But it removes complex stains with a bang, for example, traces of berries, felt-tip pens, and greasy stains. Eliminates unpleasant odors, including nicotine. Makes upholstery color brighter.
Getting rid of odors and refreshing the color of the upholstery
This is a gentle method of cleaning upholstery from dust and odor, which will additionally restore its color. We use it to clean all types of fabric. Mix 1 liter of water, 1 tsp. vinegar and 2 tsp. salt. Wet the sponge with the mixture and squeeze it well. Wipe the surface with light movements in the direction of the pile. Rinse the sponge as soon as it becomes dirty.
Carpet and upholstery cleaner IVIClean
Average price is about 450 rubles
Copes with the most difficult stains and ingrained odors. Also suitable for use in areas with pets and small children. A plus for many will be that the strong product does not have a pronounced chemical odor. Works best when applied to fresh stains. Consumption is economical thanks to the sprayer.
Home Remedies
To remove dirt, you don’t have to use household chemicals. At home, you can clean the sofa:
- alcohol or vodka (cleaning leather goods, cosmetics and ink);
- egg white (gives the upholstery shine and freshness);
- vinegar-salt solution (will get rid of dust);
- soap solution (grease stains are eliminated);
- ice (chewing gum is removed);
- a weak solution of ammonia or hydrogen peroxide (the problem of contamination of silk lining is solved);
- starch, salt or chalk (fresh greasy stains are removed);
- laundry soap (removes fresh coffee or tea stains).
Concentrated cleaner Ekokemika Textil Interior
Average price is about 180 rubles
A product that does not leave streaks at all. Even with regular use, it can last for several years. And all because before use it must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20 or 1:40: it depends on the degree of contamination and the type of fabric. True, this is also a minus at the same time. Before use, it is necessary to prepare a solution of the required concentration, which takes time. But it removes the most common types of stains - from food marks to paint.
Is it possible to clean a sofa with a vacuum cleaner?
Answering the question: “Is it possible to clean a sofa with a washing vacuum cleaner?”, the question is unequivocal - it is possible, but in this case the upholstery will come into contact with water, and in some cases it will get very wet. Therefore, before using this cleaning method on your furniture, determine what material the upholstery is made of. As a rule, it is not recommended to use the device for the following fabrics:
- silk;
- velours;
- velvet;
- linen.
If you decide to take a risk and still wash such upholstery with a vacuum cleaner, then be sure to carry out a preliminary check. Try cleaning the back of the furniture with the wet method, wait until the upholstery dries, and evaluate the effectiveness. If you notice that the fabric has deteriorated even a little, then it is better to refuse cleaning with a washing vacuum cleaner.
Stain remover “Magic Pencil”
Average price is about 50 rubles
Stain remover in stick form. Helps fight old stains. To do this, you need to apply it to the dirt and leave it for several hours, then wipe it with a damp sponge. Quite an effective remedy for a minimal budget. Convenient to take on the road if you go on a trip with small children. Also suitable for textiles and clothing.
DIY dry cleaning of sofas
This type of care for upholstered furniture is used in case of dust ingress. It is carried out regularly in two ways:
- by knocking out dust;
- using a vacuum cleaner.
In the first case, you can use a plastic carpet beater. But it’s better not to take risks, since there is a possibility of damage to the upholstery (for example, when the furniture is made of velvet or velor).
The best option for dry cleaning a sofa with your own hands is to use an old sheet. It is wetted, wrung out and spread out. Furniture can be knocked out without any unnecessary effort. The sheet will become covered with dirt, after which the sheet is cleaned in water and the procedure is repeated.
The work is completed once the sheet is no longer covered in dirt. For more effective cleaning and to give the furniture bright colors, old fabric is moistened with a solution of vinegar (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water).
When using a vacuum cleaner, sweep the bristle attachment over the entire surface of the sofa, including the back, seat and armrests. The vacuum cleaner nozzle can be covered with gauze moistened with water. When the gauze becomes dirty, wash it. Dry cleaning is the most acceptable option for many upholstery fabrics (silk, velvet, tapestry). If using a vacuum cleaner does not remove the dirt, you should use a powder or spray. Algorithm of actions:
- Remove dust from furniture with a vacuum cleaner;
- the cleaning agent is applied to the surface (the powder is poured, the spray is sprayed) and evenly distributed with a brush;
- wait for the time specified in the instructions;
- the remains of the frozen mixture are removed with a vacuum cleaner.
