Cleaning the upholstery is crucial to your furniture’s longevity; that’s why you need to know how to deal with the chore properly. While keeping the upholstery spotless might seem simple, many people make mistakes that ruin the delicate surface. Check the most significant cleaning mistakes you are likely to make when cleaning the upholstery and try to avoid them.

 

Here are the Six Upholstery Cleaning Mistakes You Need To Steer Clear Of

 

Using too much water

Using too much water is one of the most common upholstery cleaning mistakes, as water can cause the fabric to shrink, stretch or even become discoloured. It can also damage the padding or frame of the furniture. To avoid this cleaning mistake, use only a tiny amount of water when cleaning your upholstery. If you are adding a cleaning solution, follow the instructions on the label and use only the recommended amount.

 

Not testing the cleaning solution first

Another common upholstery cleaning mistake is not testing the cleaning solution before using it on the entire piece of furniture. That’s because different fabrics react differently to cleaning solutions, and while some may react to the product as expected, others may be more sensitive and get damaged. So instead of treating the upholstery right away, test the cleaning solution on a small, hidden area of the fabric first. Wait a few minutes to see if there is any unwanted reaction; if there are no negative effects, you can clean the entire piece of furniture.

 

Going for the wrong cleaning solution

When it comes to the mixture you want to apply on the upholstery, picking the wrong one can be as harmful as not testing the product first. To stay on the safe side, always read the care instructions for your furniture and use a cleaning solution appropriate for the fabric. Applying DIY cleaning mixtures prepared with eco-friendly ingredients is also a good idea since such solutions are gentle enough and pose no threat to the upholstery.

 

Scrubbing the surface vigorously

When cleaning upholstery, you must address the task gently and avoid scrubbing too hard. Scrubbing can damage the fabric or cause it to peel off, making it look outworn in no time. Once you clean the upholstery, gently scrub the surface with a soft-bristled brush or a clean cloth. Apply only a small amount of pressure and work in circular motions. If you face a stubborn stain, be patient and persistent and avoid the temptation to scrub too vigorously.

 

Skipping vacuuming

Before cleaning your upholstery, never forget to vacuum the surface first, as doing so will banish loose dirt, dust or debris, making upholstery cleaning easier. Not vacuuming before cleaning can make the cleaning process less effective and even cause the dirt to spread further into the fabric. Furthermore, remember to rely on a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any loose dirt or debris from the fabric gently. Pay special attention to the areas where people sit, as these tend to accumulate the most grime. The seams are also areas you should focus on.

 

Not wait for the upholstery to dry

Once you are done cleaning it, providing enough time to dry completely before using it again is necessary. Not considering this rule is a typical mistake that can cause the fabric to become damp or even mouldy. To speed up drying, you should open the windows or use a powerful fan. Avoid sitting on or using the furniture until it gets completely dry.

 

Well-maintained upholstery can extend the longevity of your furniture more than you believe. Do your best to avoid these common cleaning mistakes so your pieces look their best for many years.

 

© PCCL Ltd

 

 

Let's face it - deep cleaning your place is a tedious task that requires a lot of time and effort invested in the process. Surely you have many surfaces to address, but you should know that possible cleaning mistakes make the job even tougher. On the contrary, smart cleaning hacks can help you to clean your home faster and much easier. So if giving your place a good cleanup is what you are planning to do, check these cleaning mistakes you should never make:

 

Overlooking quality tools - sometimes all you need for cleaning your home effectively is good equipment, which provides the greatest outcome possible. Considering the importance of quality cleaning supplies, ignoring what's best on the market is a no-go. Of course, you shouldn't make your purchases based solely on the price, but in most cases, quality cleaning tools are more expensive than less effective alternatives. Saving money on cleaning tools, however, is a mistake you shouldn't make. Latest innovations, as well as proven manufacturers usually offer top quality that pays off in the long run.

 

Not maintaining your tools - to grant excellent performance, your cleaning tools should be preserved in excellent condition. One of the worst cleaning mistakes you can make is to forget that your cleaning equipment should be disinfected after each application, otherwise you simply transfer dirt from one surface to another. So once you are done mopping the floor, soak the mop in clean water with a few drops of dishwashing soap. Wash your clothes regularly in the washing machine and make sure your vacuum cleaner's bag is empty before you clean the carpet. As already mentioned, your cleaning sessions would be just as effective as the tools you count on, which is why you should prioritise good maintenance.

 

Relying solely on chemicals - store-bought cleaning solutions often promise to rid your place of any mess you could ever encounter. In fact, commercial detergents do a wonderful job, but have you ever thought about how they can achieve such amazing results? To be as powerful as promised, these cleaners contain ingredients that might be less than healthy. For that reason, you shouldn't always count on chemical-based products to tackle dirt at home. Instead, consider eco-friendly alternatives that can be also powerful, but not at the expense of your good health. Bought from the store or mixed at home with natural ingredients, green cleaning solutions are safe to use and just as capable of cleaning surfaces to perfection.

 

Using the wrong approach - when it comes to speed cleaning your place, try to stick to only one technique - cleaning from top to the bottom. That rule should be applied any time you eliminate dust. If you act on the job the other way around, chances are you knock dust from upper surfaces to lower areas you have already cleaned.

 

Skipping expert help - unfortunately, many homeowners can't always find time to deep clean their premises and this is when calling the pros is the most reasonable solution. Don't make the mistake to let dirt and clutter settle at your place, but find a reliable cleaning company to tackle various chores for you. Whether you need a one-time service or regular appointments sound like the wiser option, taking advantage of expert help is your best bet.

©PCCL Ltd

OMG I finished it!

Main reasons it took me 3.5 ish years to read this:
- I went through some depression and couldn't read a lot of nonfiction
- Whenever I started to read it my mind would also start to daydream of everything I could possibly do to my yard with the help of this book and then I wouldn't get very far in the book

But I promised myself I would really finish it this year, and I did.

I'm sure I'll continue to use this as a resource for knowledge, techniques, and inspiration. It is really well written and readable, but also can be used as a reference source. I have been using it all along as well - to learn how to sheet mulch, to make plant lists for different purposes - insectary, nitrogen fixing, nurse plants, and more, and to make designs for the herb spiral I built in my front yard, and to redo my front garden very slowly.

This was my entry into permaculture and I still recommend it to anyone who asks about good basic gardening books for a small home.

This is not the book you typically see me talk about -- and when I was approached to give it a read and review, my initial response was to give it a pass. But we adopted an 11 year-old dog this Spring, and I've been thinking a lot about canine health. Which makes me right in the target audience for this book, actually.

 

I sort of have to assume that the medicine and science behind this book is right and/or responsible. Because really, unless the book called for the use of Windex to treat common maladies or something as useless as "mild doses of physic to work on the bowels," there's zero chance I'll be able to suss out the problem. Instead, I can talk about a couple of things: is it useful? Can it be understood by lay readers?

Yes, to both, thankfully.

 

Yes, you have to be a dedicated reader -- focused and concerned -- to get through a little of the language. But what pet owner with an ailing companion isn't focused and concerned? Yes, there was a lot of what Davis talked about that was Greek to me, but if I had a dog/cat/lizard/whatever that had a problem along the lines she was talking about; or had received [technical term X] as a diagnosis, I'd know right where to go. Part of the problem for me at the moment, is my old girl isn't a prime candidate for Canine Hip Dysplasia, so it was hard to connect to those pages -- it's not a book to read cover to cover. It's a resource. But from what I can tell, she gives some pretty decent sounding advice for working with puppies to head off that problem.

 

Not only some pretty decent sounding advice, there's some handy photographs with good diagrams added so you know just what to do. There are plenty of nice anecdotes and illustrations from Davis' casework throughout the book to anchor the instructions. Both of these features cannot be overstressed as valuable.

 

My favorite part comes from Chapter 8, "Embracing the Warrior Mentality at Home," discussing the attitude and approach that pet owners should take when helping their ailing/injured pets. I wish this chapter -- or at least the initial sections of it -- had appeared earlier in the book. I just think it would've flowed a little better. But I'm glad it was there.

Was I able to get something to help my girl? Maybe. I definitely know where to look if it comes to it. I can see this as a valuable tool in the toolbox for every pet owner.

 

<i><b>Disclaimer:</b> I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and this post.</b>

I've never seen any of their shows, so this book is all my opinion is based on. Meh. Good photography of generic spaces. Not everyone wants granite countertops or non-woodburning fireplaces or open floor plans. It does have a hilarious screw-up, though: in a spread on fireplaces (all electric it looks like) there is a random picture of a bathroom mirror. That was the only exciting moment I had going through this.

Library copy