With spring in full bloom now is the perfect time to freshen up your home and office with a clean makeover.

Carpets and floors tend to get a lot of attention as dirt and debris is tracked in from recent winter storms. While it is important to clean both your carpets and floors, it is also imperative that you schedule time to spruce up your upholstery, which includes:

• Office Chairs
• Regular Chairs
• Ottomans
• Love Seats
• Sofas
• Fabric Panels (Cubicles)

After all, your upholstery tends to trap a lot of dirt and debris that can be harmful for you and the environment.

What’s the best method to liven up and protect your upholstery this spring? Below is a simple three step process we’ve broken down to assist you:

1) Vacuum

The first step is for you to use your vacuum to remove dirt and debris. Simply use your vacuum attachment to extract dirt and debris from the cushion surfaces, including cracks and crevices.

Preventative tips to keep your upholstery fresh

If you have removable cushions then we recommend that you take your cushions outside and pat them by hand each month. We also recommend flipping over and rotating your cushions as you would do with your mattress for even wear. Performing this step each month will help prevent dirt and debris from settling deep into your upholstery fibers.

Another preventative tip is to limit or avoid food, drink and pets on your upholstery. This will save you time in the future when vacuuming dirt and debris and removing stains.

2) Perform first-aid on spills

With fresh spills on your upholstery you want to be quick to react. If you let a spill sit without prompt attention to cleanup then that spill will turn into a stain, which can make it a challenge to remove.

The best approach is to simply blot the spill with a dry white cloth or paper towel. Whatever you do don’t rub the spill with the dry cloth or paper towel as this can result in a deep smudge that will create a larger stain.

What do I do if the spill on my upholstery turns into a stain?

If your spill turns into a stain the first thing you need to do is check the tag or label of your upholstery to determine which cleaning products can be used. The upholstery industry has a specific code system to identify which product cleaners you can use:

W: Water-based cleaner or detergent can be used.

S: A solvent or water free product can be used.

WS: Water-based or solvents can be used.

X:  Don’t use a solvent or water-based solution. You will want to contact a professional upholstery cleaner to come out and treat the stain.

We also recommend contacting a professional cleaning company that specializes in upholstery cleaning if you don’t have a tag or label on your upholstery. It is best to seek expert counsel than to damage your upholstery.

3) Deep clean your upholstery

While vacuuming and treating spills before they become stains are important, it is imperative that you schedule to have your upholstery deep cleaned each year.

If your upholstery has removable cushions then you may (depending on what your label recommends) be able to machine wash the fabrics in cold water. If so, then we recommend turning the cushions inside out to wash as this can prevent colors from fading.

We recommend calling a professional cleaning company to deep clean your upholstery if you have removable covers that can only be dry-cleaned. We also suggest calling a professional cleaning company if you don’t have a label recommending a process to deep clean your upholstery.

In conjunction with cleaning your floors and carpets this spring make sure to schedule a cleaning session for your upholstery. You will not only have a fresh looking home and office, you will also have a healthier environment to live and operate in.

Mister Kleen is a leading provider of contract cleaning services to Commercial and High Security facilities since 1976. Our primary service area is the DC Metro region. We also provide a variety of interior and exterior specialty services.