KJ asked: How do I clean furniture? I’ve got a spot where his head contacts the fabric on the recliner. It is an oval spot that looks almost greasy, though his head is shaved. I was told that it was an indoor/outdoor fabric, and it has Key West looking stripes. My concern is that I could make it worse or leave a circle spot behind. To make things worse, the colors are powdery green and blue with a bit of yellow and white intermingled, so it could change the hue. I have a couch, chair and ottoman that match. Any thoughts?
Indoor/outdoor fabrics are inherently stain resistant and relatively easy to clean. In fact, harsh chemicals and bleach should be avoided, as they may fade or damage fabrics. When you’ve got a stain on your fabric, the best solution is to follow manufacturer care and cleaning suggestions. If that’s not possible, the following general guidelines should benefit your furniture.
You Will Need:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Automatic dishwasher detergent (unscented)
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Bowl or small bucket
- Towel
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- First, vacuum the affected fabric to ensure it’s free of loose dust or dirt.
- Mix a small amount of detergent in a bowl with warm water. Add enough so you can “feel” the detergent in the water without making it too heavy, which might leave a residue that could, in turn, attract dirt.
- If needed, place a towel around or beneath the area you want to clean to catch any water runoff.
- Use the sponge to gently blot or lightly scrub the stain.
- Rinse the sponge, then, repeat as needed.
- Blot excess moisture with a dry towel.
- Allow to air dry.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Spot test detergent solution in a hidden area before you begin.
- Automatic dishwasher detergent is excellent for cutting through grease, but do not use dishwasher detergent with orange or lemon scents. The acidity could damage fabrics.
- If you don’t see an improvement, try the same method using Woolite or another laundry detergent for delicates.
- If the fabric is dirty, expect a clean spot to appear. You may have to clean the whole surface in order for it to “match” again.
- Results may vary depending on the exact type and makeup of your fabric.
If I need to clean overall, with spot and mold treatment, would I use distilled vinegar and laundry detergent (and air dry)?
Hi Elizabeth,
What you said should work, yes! Just be sure to dilute the laundry detergent in water before using it. Also, those two should be used separately: wash with the laundry deterent water, then afterward spray on the diluted white vinegar. Laundry detergent is alkaline (high pH), whereas vinegar is acidic (low pH), so they will cancel each other out and not work as well. This is why vinegar is added to the rinse cycle of a laundry wash (so that it won’t mix with the laundry detergent). Good luck!