How Does Upholstery Cleaner Work?
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Aerosols and Sprays
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Many upholstery cleaners come in an aerosol or a spray. The number one thing you should know before using any cleaner is that all fabric and dyes react differently to chemicals and even natural cleaners. Always test a spot on your upholstery that is not normally seen to see if it changes the color or stains your fabric. If the spot test is OK, then proceed to spray the cleaner on your upholstery. Check the label to see how long it should be left on the furniture before vacuuming. The chemicals work by releasing the dirt, food or oils from the strands of fabric. When you vacuum you pull the dirt off and the upholstery is cleaner. If it's been a long time between cleanings or you have a hard to clean stain, the process may have to be repeated. You can also try an upholstery spot remover to use only on the stain.
Home Made and Green Cleaners
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You can make your own foam cleaner at home. Just use 1/4 of a liquid detergent and mix with a cup of warm water. Use a blender or mixer and mix until it turns to foam. Use a damp sponge and wipe the foam onto your furniture. Let dry and vacuum off. Never wet the upholstery as that alone can cause staining. There are also many products on the market today that are environmentally friendly, such as orange cleaners and all natural cleaners. To freshen upholstery, just dampen a rag with vinegar and wipe over the surface. Within minutes the vinegar smell is gone and so are stale odors.
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Deep Cleaning Machines
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There are hundreds of carpet and upholstery cleaning machines on the market today. Some heat the water they use and others don't. They have a well for the water and cleaner. At the end of the hose is an attachment like a small brush. The water/cleaner comes down a small tube and is sprayed onto the upholstery. The vacuum sucks it right back up. This keeps the upholstery from getting too wet and pulls the dirt right out. It is very important to note when using these machines that you must keep moving along the upholstery. If you stay in one place the upholstery will get too wet and may cause a stain. These machines are great for working on very large and/or very dirty furniture.
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