Whether it is your car or your furniture, upholstery is bound to get dirty because of how frequently it is used. Something used on a daily basis is going to result in having smells and stains over time, and there is little you can do to prevent that.

So, instead of having an unrealistic goal of keeping your upholstery absolutely clean, invest in tools or services that help you maintain the cleanliness of your car or home. Choose products that are water-free solvents as they are the best for dry cleaning upholstery. All you have to do is dab a small amount onto the stain and blot gently until the stain is gone.

Upholstery can be tricky to clean as it is different than a carpet and can be made from a wide variety of fibers. Some can be cleaned with any kind of dry-cleaning solvents, while others like silk damask or cotton chenille are likely to be damaged with water-based methods of cleaning.

Perform a test on an inconspicuous area of your upholstery with the dry-cleaning solvent of your choice to check for any discoloration rather than going in blind.

So, before you choose a cleaning product out of your cupboard, understand how it will react to your upholstery.

Cheatsheet for cleaning products

• Check the care tag on your upholstery before you clean it so you can know how to clean your furniture or car seats.
• If there is a "W" on the tag, it means water-based solutions are safe to use.
• The "S" stands for only solvent-based cleaning solutions to be used on the upholstery.
• "X" means neither water nor solvent-based cleaning solutions are safe to use. Just vacuum the surface or hire a professional cleaning service.
• "WS" means both water and solvent-based cleaning products can be used on the upholstery.

However, as you understand what products are better suited for your upholstery, an important question that arises is where to buy these dry-cleaning solvents? Unsightly spots and stains affect how your entire home looks. Having products that are safe to use at hand can be a life-saver.

Online retail shops

Online retail giants like Amazon and Walmart have a wide variety of cleaning products that you can choose from when dry cleaning the upholstery. These websites have extensive reviews that you can read through to see whether the product you're buying actually works.

Plus, it is easier to do your research about the dry-cleaning solvents while you're already on the web looking for one. Moreover, you're likely to receive the products within a few days' time.

 But going the DIY dry cleaning route has its challenges just as it does the perks. While most of the consumer-grade upholstery cleaners are quite affordable to purchase, these solvents are of lower quality than those used by professionals.

You put in the work yourself

While having control over the cleaning project means you can choose flexible timings, it also means having to put in the work yourself. You might want certain areas of your house cleaned, which can be tricky for professionals while giving an estimate.

Plus, moving heavy furniture by yourself can be unsafe and tricky. Professional cleaners will have a team who will take care of it for you.

Clean on your own schedule

Cleaning your own furniture means you can work on it at any time of the day. You have the equipment and the solvents; all you need is to take time out according to your schedule and do it. This can be both a blessing and a curse. You might end up putting off the cleaning if you're doing it yourself.

However, professional cleaners need to be scheduled ahead of time, but the chances of your upholstery getting clean within a scheduled time is higher than if you do it yourself. Plus, they have machinery that is likely more effective in cleaning than you doing it yourself.

Wholesalers

If you're looking to save a pretty penny on dry-cleaning solvents, try looking for wholesale shops that will sell products for cheaper. However, you might have to buy products in large quantities for that. This is a solution only when you have a number of things to clean at your house.

A cleaning company is better suited to your needs than having to buy products in bulk and letting them go to waste later on.

Hardware stores

Several hardware stores stock up on a variety of dry-cleaning solvents. If you have stores near you, you can seek help from the retail store employees about the best product for your upholstery. Moreover, you won't have to wait long for the products to arrive and it will be cheaper than hiring a professional.

Should you clean your upholstery often?

To keep it short, it depends. Yes, you can clean it often if you have kids or pets that are more likely to stain your couch. By often, we mean twice in the year at least. If you live alone and don't go out as often, you can do it once a year.

However, emergency cleaning after a party can also be a reason for cleaning your upholstery. Thus, it depends on the frequency of your furniture usage.

Save yourself from all the hassle

Upholstery is made from delicate fabrics that are more susceptible to damage if harsh chemicals are used to clean them. Most furniture companies discourage the removal of the upholstery before cleaning it as it is stitched into the frame. So, you're going to need a particular type of equipment and skill to do it well.

Instead of going through all the hassle of figuring out what products to use, when to use them and where to buy them, hire professionals to do the work. If you're in the San Diego area, contact It's All Clean San Diego for professional cleaning services with up-to-date machinery and skilled workers.