How to: Water Removal from Upholstery

Remove moisture as soon possible to avoid stains.

Upholstery is a fabric covering, used on furniture, cars, boats and sometimes walls. Wood or metal creates the framework for padding, springs and finally the fabric covering. Spills, floods and other accidents cause the upholstery to become wet. Wet upholstery requires quick action to dry it before stains, mold or mildew set into the fabric or padding. Depending on the type of material water can leave behind unsightly stains and ruin the appeal of the piece.

Things You'll Need

• Wet-dry vacuum
• Carpet shampooer
• Upholstery attachment
• White vinegar
• Towels
• Weights
• Fans

Instructions

1. Take removable cushions off the furniture. Brush away dirt with a soft brush. Do not rub at the upholstery because you may push the dirt into the fabric further.

2. Suck out as much water as possible with a wet-dry vacuum or carpet shampooer with an upholstery attachment.

3. Flush the upholstery thoroughly with plain water to rinse away dirt and debris if the water was not clean drinking water. Pour an equal mixture of water and white vinegar to rinse the upholstery and padding further. White vinegar will help to prevent mold and mildew growth.

4. Draw out as much of the rinse water as possible with a wet-dry vacuum or upholstery attachment on the carpet shampooer.

5. Lay several towels on the wet upholstery. Place heavy weights on top to force the dampness out and transfer it to the towels. Remove the weight and towels.

6. Set up fans blowing directly at the wet fabric to speed up the drying process. Move the fans around frequently to dry from all angles. Continue to allow the air to blow on the upholstery until it is dry. Set up a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air and promote drying.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider hiring a furniture restoration specialist if the upholstered furniture is an antique or valuable.

• Do not dry upholstered pieces outside as the sun can cause the item to dry too quickly and certain materials may split or warp.

• Do not use heat lamps or blow dryers. The heat may dry the fabric, but leave the padding wet. The warmth of the dryer or heat lamp will also promote an environment for mold and mildew to flourish.

References

• "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home" Martha Stewart; 2006
• "Heloise from A to Z Updated"; Heloise; 2004