9 Smart Ways To Dry Clean Upholstery At Home

Dry Clean Upholstery

Upholstered furniture plays a vital role in every place as it provides relaxation after a tiring routine. However, upholstery needs proper cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking fresh. Some upholstery fabrics are not cleaned by direct watering to remove food, drink, spills, dirty feet, and pets. Each fabric has a special instructional tag that determines its way of cleaning. The tag has a code to demonstrate whether the upholstery needs water-based or solvent-based cleaning. If there is no tag to show, you will need an inconspicuous area to see how the fabric reacts when treated with a solvent or water. 

In this guide, Sofa Upholstery Shop is here to share smart ways of dry cleaning upholstery at home. You can either dry clean by yourself or hire a professional cleaner for dry cleaning. 

Pro Methods For Dry Cleaning Upholstery Fabric

There are two general dry cleaning methods: hand dry cleaning and machine dry cleaning. Hand dry cleaning is a manual process where upholstery fabric is cleaned by hand using a solvent. On the other side, machine dry cleaning is a mechanized process where upholstery fabric is cleaned by machine using a solvent. Some other popular dry cleaning methods are as follows.

  1. Dry Cleaning Solvent
  2. Dry Shampoo For Cleaning
  3. Steam Cleaner 
  4. Carbonation-Based Cleaning
  5. Dry Foam Generator
  6. Encapsulation Cleaning Method
  7. Ultrasonic (UV) Upholstery Cleaner
  8. DIY Smart Paste With Absorbent Powders 
  9. Smart Upholstery Cleaning Pads

1- Dry Cleaning Solvent

Consider capture/host solvent for dry cleaning, and make sure the solvent is safe for upholstery fabric. Capture offers a wide range of options like dry cleaner powder, soil release, and carpet brush. They also offer specialized foam or powder for pet stains, spots, and floor cleaning. HOST dry cleaner is used for cleaning furniture and upholstery in Dubai. Sprinkle foam on the fabric to absorb dirt and oils, and then vacuum it off. 

2- Dry Shampoo For Cleaning

A smart cleaning product that works like hair dry shampoo. Absorbs dirt, odor, and oil without wetting the leather upholstery. Spray a shampoo using the soft brush gently. Leave it to dry for some time and then vacuum it.

3- Steam Cleaner 

Using a steam cleaner like Bissell or Dupray with a dry cleaning function. Steam cleaners are considered with low-moisture steam vapor, not water spray. It offers chemical-free and deep dry cleaning. A steam cleaner is great for removing allergens, bacteria, and deep grime.

4- Carbonation-Based Cleaning

Inspired by professional methods like Chem-Dry, this uses carbonated dry cleaning solutions. They penetrate fibers and lift dirt to the surface for easy removal. You can buy home kits that replicate this smart process.

5- Dry Foam Generator

Consider a foam-generating machine or a smart gadget that applies a thick, dry foam, agitated by a motorized brush. Foam lifts grime and dries fast, ideal for large upholstery furniture. Minimal moisture that makes no fabric shrinkage or staining.

6- Encapsulation Cleaning Method

In this method, using pro technique is now available in home kits. It involves spraying polymer-based encapsulating cleaner, which traps soil. Once dry with a vacuum and leave your upholstery spotless and fresh.

7- Ultrasonic (UV) Upholstery Cleaner

Uses high-frequency sound waves to dislodge dirt particles from deep within fabric fibers. Mostly used for velvet, silk, or antique furniture upholstery fabric. It’s a non-invasive and high-tech smart cleaning option.

8- DIY Smart Paste With Absorbent Powders 

DIY smart paste with absorbent powder (cornstarch + baking soda + essential oils), which creates a powerful absorbent dry paste. Sprinkle the paste massager lightly with a brush. Let it absorb odors and oil, then vacuum. Smart Paste with its a customized option, chemical-free, and eco-friendly.

9- Smart Upholstery Cleaning Pads

Consider dry microfiber with cleaning agents. Pre-treated microfiber pads embedded with dry-cleaning compounds. Rub it gently over the fabric to break down surface dirt and stains. No spray or water required, it is fast, smart, and ideal for spot cleaning.

Upholstery Fabric Clean By Care Tag Codes

Always test on a hidden area before applying any dry cleaning method, and read upholstery care tags (W, S, WS, X) to choose the safest option.

Code W: Upholstery textile can be cleaned with water-based cleaning items.

Code S: The fabric can only be cleaned with a dry cleaning or water-free solvent to remove stains and soils.

Code W-S: The upholstery cloth can be cleaned with two options, either a water-based or a solvent-based method or product.

Code X: This code means upholstery fabric can only be cleaned by vacuuming or by a professional. Any type of home cleaning product can cause staining and shrinking.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Vacuum with upholstery tools
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Dropcloth or tarp
  • Circulating fan

Materials

  • Dry cleaning solvent
  • Baking soda

Instructions

  • Vacuum the sofa or chair upholstery.
  • Improve air circulation and eliminate hazards.
  • Do a test spot with the dry cleaning solvent.
  • Spot clean stains and heavily soiled areas.
  • Dry the upholstery.

To Sum Up

At the end, the sofa upholstery shop shared the smart ways of dry cleaning upholstery fabric at home. Dry solvent, dry shampoo, dry foam, carbonation-based, encapsulation, these are methods of upholstery cleaning. Steam and ultrasonic cleaning machines can also be used for fabric dry cleaning. Also, you can make a custom-made smart paste absorbent powder and smart upholstery cleaning pads. 

Moreover, we shared the care tag codes (W, S, W-X, X) that help to clean the upholstery fabric. In this guide, we mentioned the essential tools and materials to dry clean upholstery textiles. Now, you can dry clean your upholstery furniture with our DIY guide.