Dry Cleaning Your Furniture At Home Is Easier Than You Think If You Have The Right Products
Taking your furniture to the dry cleaners can be an expensive endeavor, ranging from $140 to over $300 per furniture piece, depending on its size, the type of material it's made of, and how badly stained it is. Additionally, furniture needs to be cleaned at least once or twice a year or every three to four months if children and pets are present in the home; therefore, you could spend hundreds to thousands of dollars a year.
Many of us can't imagine breaking the bank just to clean our furniture. So, what can you do? Those who need to desperately rid their furniture of bacteria and dirt can do so from the comfort of their home. All you'll need is the right equipment and cleaning solutions to do the job at a fraction of the cost. We'll reveal the simple steps you can take to become a dry cleaning professional capable of keeping your home fresh.
How to get started
The first thing you'll need to do is find the tag that's sewn onto your furniture. This should contain information that will reveal what type of material it's made of and how to properly clean it without causing any damage. For example, some are labeled as dry-cleaning only, and others may have letters, such as W, X, or O, which means avoiding dry-cleaning methods. So, if your furniture can be dry cleaned, you can purchase a dry cleaning solvent, a solution created without water.
However, before you start, you should ensure fresh air is circulating in the space in which you're working. This cleaning solvent has a strong odor, so you'll want to open any nearby doors or windows. Also, before applying the solvent to an entire furniture piece, it may be wise to do a spot test to avoid altering the entire fabric. Start by pouring a few drops onto a rag, then use it to rub the solvent onto a spot of the furniture that cannot be seen. After a few minutes, if you've noticed that the fabric has not changed, you'll know it's safe to use.
The proper cleaning technique
If your spot test went smoothly, apply the dry-cleaning solvent to the entire furniture piece. First, grab a new white rag and add the cleaning solution. You'll then begin by pressing it against the fabric of the furniture; avoid rubbing. Also, be sure not to miss any stains where you may need to apply more pressure. Once you're done, you can repeat the process if you've noticed a few stains left after it has dried.
Then, wash off the cleaner by grabbing another rag and dipping it into water. Use this to blot all the solvent from the fabric; repeat if necessary. After you've completed this step, allow your furniture to air dry. Once you're done, your furniture should be fresh and clean. However, instead of waiting until next year to repeat this routine, it's advised to regularly cleanse them with a disinfectant spray, especially furniture pieces that are commonly used.