The art of maintenance is important if we desire our valuables to have an elongated lifespan. It would be disastrous if we don’t take care of our belongings and we expect them to be in perfect condition longer than normal.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
What would be even more disastrous is if we don’t know the gimmicks, methods and modes through which we can clean our valuables. The Polyester couch is one of the most expensive and easily overlooked items in your sitting room, or anywhere it is placed.
This is because it never looks dirty until it is dust soaked and smelly, and the cleaning process is such that you may want to destroy it or sell it off. It’s actually not that deep. What you have problems with is not the couch, but the cleaning process.
In this article, we would be giving you tips on how to clean a polyester couch, the methods and certain products that can help in making it as good as new.
Polyester is a fabric that is praised for its extensive beauty and qualities. One of the many qualities of this fabric is that it looks and feels good. Its strength, durability and resistance to abrasion, mold and mildew is another feature that makes the fabric stand out amongst fabrics.
Although this fabric has all the qualities that give it elegance and grace, it is also very prone to getting stained and soiled. This is mostly for the couch, with children running here and there and other factors that are likely to besmirch the sofa.
What however can be used to return this fabric to its initial state of aesthetics? Do we just use water and soap, hoping that it would go back to its usual state?
Whether your polyester couch was soiled by a spill or through everyday use, a few cleaning techniques can help maintain a gorgeous, like-new appearance.
There are many techniques that can be used to clean the polyester couch. Some of these techniques include:
Successful Quaffing
The first thing to do in the cleaning of your polyester couch is vacuuming. There are a lot of things that your vacuum machine can do apart from removing dirt from your rug.
This task eliminates dirt, dust and pet hair from your furniture. It also prevents the debris from sinking deeper into the couch. If the dross is not removed, it is likely to cause permanent damage to the smooth surface of your polyester couch.
Take away all detachable cushions from the couch and use the vacuum cleaner’s crevice tool to access places that are difficult to reach for a total and comprehensive cleaning.
Weekly vacuuming of your couch provides a cleaner outlook and a better resistance to time and age. For extra freshness, sprinkle the fabric with deodorizing powder before vacuuming.
A perfect deodorizing powder is the Defunkify Odor Remover Spray, Peppermint. This powder crushes odor and gives your couch a freshening smell you can trust.
Cleaning on the Spot
This technique is more practical and intense than the former. Here you want to be sure the stains are properly and effectively removed. To achieve optimal cleaning of your polyester couch, you have to know the kind of polyester it is and what it can withstand.
All polyester couches have their tags, that is what they can withstand, their primary cleaning features. You have to decipher the tag of your polyester couch. The letter W shows that your couch is resistant to water cleaning only, while S indicates that your couch is resistant to only solvent cleaning.
Other tags include the tag SW which means either water or solvent-based cleaner is safe and tag X which means do not attempt to clean the couch yourself. Tags with an X label require professional cleaning.
If your couch can withstand water, make a solution of one teaspoon of mild detergent, Outback Gold Wool Wash, 16oz , would do the trick. Then put one teaspoon of white vinegar and one quart of warm water.
[amazon box=”B079TM6P8K” template=”vertical”]
You have succeeded in making a cleanser. Test your cleanser on a small, concealed section of the couch first to know if it would have any untowards effects on it.
If it does not, then use a light dabbing motion to apply the solution with a microfiber towel following up with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out with fresh water to rinse away the solution.
You can get an already prepared cleanser, one of the unique and highly effective cleansers is Resolve 22 fl oz Multi-Fabric Cleaner and Upholstery Stain Remover.
[amazon box=”B0028OSLAW” template=”vertical”]
Drying Matters
You want your polyester couch to get dry as soon as possible not because you want to sit on it alone, but because you don’t want mold and mildew to thrive on it. As you know, mold and mildew thrive in wet conditions.
Encourage your polyester couch to dry quickly to prevent the growth of foul fungi and other things that come with dampness. You can place your couch in the sun to dry or use a hairdryer to accelerate the drying process.
REVLON 1875W Lightweight + Compact Travel Hair Dryer is one of the most effective hair dryers that can work wonders on your polyester couch. When the polyester is completely dry, use a soft-bristled scrub to go over it, brushing in circular motion. This helps return polyester fibers to their original condition, resulting in softer, more supple fabric.
[amazon box=”B003TQPRGY” template=”vertical”]
Deciding the right approach
There are lots of approaches that one can take to achieve a clean and well-maintained couch. These approaches are hinged on certain factors. These factors include;
- The type of fabric
- The type of cleaner
- And the type of method
It is important to note that certain factors are pertinent to a successful cleaning and these factors are;
Decipher the couch tag. As has been said earlier, it is important to know the kind of polyester couch before you attempt to clean it. Polyester couches should have a tag, usually found somewhere underneath the cushions. The tag will have one of the following letters or letter combinations written on it: W, S, SW, or X. These codes let you know what kind of cleaners you can use on your couch.
- The letter W indicates water cleaning only, while S indicates solvent cleaning only.
- The tag SW means either water or solvent-based cleaner is safe.
- If the tag reads X, do not attempt to clean the couch yourself. Tags with an X label require professional cleaning.
Find the right cleaner. Choose the right cleaner depending on your tag. Cleaners are sold at department stores. You can also buy one online.
- Couches marked “W” can be cleaned with an upholstery cleaner. An example of an upholstery cleaner is Fabric Cleaner.
- Couches marked “S” should be cleaned with dry cleaning solvents. An example is Force Field Dry Cleaning Fluid for Fine Fabrics.
- If your couch is marked SW, you can use either an upholstery or dry cleaning solvent cleaner. You can use either of the two cleaners above or any one you find on amazon.com
Find a professional cleaner for a couch with an “X” label. For polyester couches that are labeled X, do not attempt to clean them on your own. Unfortunately, couches with this label will require professional upholstery cleaners. Go online and find a professional cleaner within your price range if you need to clean a couch with the label “X.”
[amazon box=”B06XFMRD5C” template=”vertical”]
Tips
Small children and pets present additional challenges when it comes to cleaning upholstered furniture. Their ability to stain couches leaves the owner with a lot of work to do. To lighten your load, let us suggest certain techniques and maybe products that can help you deal with this inevitable menace.
- To remove stubborn pet hair, sticky lint roller is the most effective way. One of the most effective sticky lint rollers is the Lint Rollers for Pet Hair.
- In place of the sticky lint roller, a pair of rubber gloves suffices in a pinch.
- Also, Pet soils respond well to white vinegar and baking soda, both of which not only clean, but also act as air fresheners for urine, vomit and other unpleasant facts of life.
- Homes with small children face other complications. Instead of freaking out when you see the piece of chewing gum clinging to the fabric, harden it for easy peeling by rubbing it with an ice cube.
Conclusion
The beauty of the polyester furniture is in the maintenance. One could own a very old furniture and still enjoy it, if properly maintained. The suggestions above are meant to help you deal with the squabbles and the hell that comes with cleaning a polyester couch.
As effective as these methods and products that have been suggested are, it is best that you take your couch to a professional if the stains beat your capacity. The polyester couch is one very beautiful and highly effective couch, but if not properly maintained, one is likely to hate the outcome.