Upholstery cleaning is important for maintaining a healthy, attractive living space. Be it the fabric sofa, luxurious leather armchairs, or other types of furniture, cleaning them in the right manner will extend the life of your furniture. High humidity is one of the biggest challenges in Singapore, so cleaning techniques can make quite a difference in the life expectancy of your furniture. Below, we’ll be giving you how-to guides on cleaning various upholstery so your furniture is always at its best.
Knowing the Types of Upholstery
In cleaning upholstery, it is very important to acknowledge that there a different kinds of upholstery, each requiring a unique care process. The most common types of upholstery Singapore include:
- Fabric Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery
- Velvet Upholstery
- Microfiber Upholstery
- Suede Upholstery
Each type features peculiarities, so it’s very important to learn how to clean every one of them. Let’s discuss how you can clean these kinds of different upholstery efficiently.
1. Cleaning Fabric Upholstery
Fabric upholstery is the commonest of all kinds in Singapore. This versatile and comfortable upholstery might cost less, but cleaning it gets tricky, especially with stains and spills. Here are some helpful tips:
- Vacuum frequently: First and foremost, vacuuming your fabric upholstery regularly will keep it clean. Dirt and dust accumulate deep within the fibres, thereby causing wear and tear. Therefore, one vacuum per week helps wash away grime and substances from settling.
- Clean Spills with Mild Solutions: If there are minor spills, blot them rather than rub them. Use warm water with mild dish soap, but first, test the solution on a hidden area to prevent colour alteration. In this way, you will be guaranteed not to damage the fabric.
- Avoid Extra Water: Fabric soaks up water extremely fast. In the hot and wet weather of Singapore, the drying time could be a bit longer. Therefore, it is quite crucial to reduce the moisture for cleaning fabric-upholstered furniture.
2. Cleaning Leather Upholstery
Leather gives a very classy look to the place. It still requires proper care as it can quickly lose its shine and softness if not handled properly.
- Dust it Often: Leather may be so durable, but that does not mean it does not need dusting regularly. Use a soft cloth to wipe it clean of the dust particles. Dusting leather prevents it from growing dull and from accumulating dust.
- Use Leather Conditioner: Leather dries out sooner or later, especially when living in Singapore’s hot climate. The application of a leather conditioner every 6 to 12 months helps keep it supple. A conditioner not only keeps the material moist but also safeguards it from cracks.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Harsh cleaners that contain ammonia or bleach will cause the leather to age and appear worn out. In fact, use only the cleaners designed for leather upholstery in Singapore. Moreover, wiping spills as soon as possible prevents staining.
3. Cleaning Velvet Upholstery
Velvet comes in sublime texture but somehow handles the delicate aspect rather fragilely. Well, cleaning velvet can actually be simple and efficient by using proper methods.
- Use a Soft Brush: Velvet can get scruffy if not maintained well. It should be smoothed using soft brushers or vice versa, to retain the original texture by brushing the fabric in one direction.
- Spot Treatment with Caution: Velvet is easily prone to staining, so it requires spot treatments. A solution of water and dish soap is good, but as usual, apply first in a hidden area for testing.
- Steam Clean Periodically: Velvet can be steam cleaned occasionally. On a handheld steamer or the steam feature of your iron, from a safe distance, steam can be used to have the fabric fluffed up and maintain the look of velvety.
4. Microfiber Fabric Cleaning
Microfiber is durable and resistant to staining, so it enjoys such huge popularity in Singapore houses. Cleaning it is not difficult if you follow these tips:
- Using a Lint Roller: Microfiber naturally attracts hair and lint, especially in pets. Homeowners can easily wipe off pet hair with the assistance of the lint roller and small particles.
- Spot Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol: Never use water for cleaning spills and stains as it may leave marks on microfiber. You should always rub a little alcohol-based rubbing spirit on your cloth before gently blotting the stained area. Rubbing spirit dries quickly without leaving moisture.
- Fluffiness Brush: Through the cleaning procedure, you should use a soft-bristled brush to help it regain its fluffy look. You will find that microfiber retains its amazing soft, fluffy appearance.
5. How to Clean Suede Upholstery
Suede upholstery is a pampered option, but like velvet, it is a miserable one to clean. Of course, with proper care, suede can look lovely for decades.
- Use a Suede Brush: Suede gets dusty and dirty easily, and the nap will come off it if it is not brushed often enough. A suede brush lifts the nap and dirt out effectively.
- Do Not Use Water: Water can also stain suede; therefore, use a dry cleaning solvent or a specific suede cleaner. When light stains are concerned, a white eraser also works well.
- Suede Protector Spray: It repels stains and water; therefore, cleaning is more manageable. This comes in handy due to the unpredictability of the Singapore weather, which can rain when it is humid simultaneously.
Why Upholstery Cleaning is Important in Singapore
This is especially vital because Singapore has a rather hot and wet climate all year round, which only opens up more opportunities for mould and mildew growth if furniture is not properly cleaned or maintained. Cleaning your upholstery in Singapore isn’t just about making the view nice, though; it’s also a healthy practice. Over time, dust mites, allergens, as well as bacteria, may gather in the fabric and be harmful to health. Thus, cleaning regularly is of utmost importance in maintaining a cleaner, healthier house environment.
Conclusion
In Singapore, caring for various upholstery requires a special method of cleaning and maintenance. There are long-lived-upholstery pieces that will remain looking great provided you perform some regular vacuuming, use proper cleaners, and also cover your furniture to avoid sunlight and moisture. Always remember calling a professional when in doubt saves you time, effort, and possible damage that can be inflicted on your valuable furniture.
