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The online furniture store home cleaning guide
Sep
The process of cleaning, dreaded by so many, is no simple affair – especially when living in a busy home where appliances and plumbing are frequently used and in some cases, abused. Being busy at work or having a restricted schedule are some of the many causes of letting a mess build up back home, and grime and muck can accumulate unbelievably fast. If you are the one who gets stuck with the cleaning, you will know well that some messes are worse than others – and can often seem impossible to clean. So, in just a few minutes of reading, check out our online furniture store guide to tackling some of the toughest cleaning jobs in the home.
The online furniture store guide to cleaning a couch
No matter how hard we may try to avoid it, sometimes spills happen. Much to our horror, our couches are often the victims of the worst spills and messes such as red wine spills, food stains and even just a build-up of grime from every day use. To add further insult to injury, couches can be notoriously difficult to clean and confusing cleaning instructions make the task no easier. But do not fear, as we at 5Star Furniture, your reliable online furniture store, have compiled some easy instructions on how to clean the toughest of couch-related messes!
Before you begin any kind of cleaning process on your couch, it is of the utmost importance to read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Nearly all couches come with cleaning tags whereupon you can find some crucial information. The following are some codes that are frequently found on couch cleaning tags:
W – this couch’s material can be cleaned with water.
WS – water or a solvent-based cleaner can be used on this material.
S – Do not use water when you clean this material. Rather use a solvent-based cleaner.
X – This material should only be vacuumed.
If you have spent any time on our online furniture store product pages, you will have noticed the diversity of couches and their materials. Each differing material – such as fabric, microfiber or leather – require different methods of cleaning. We will address how to clean spills and grime off of each of the former. Before you begin any cleaning however, make sure to test whatever cleaning solution you have chosen on an inconspicuous spot on the couch before you apply it to relevant messes.
The online furniture store guide to cleaning a fabric couch
- Begin your fabric couch cleaning process with a deodorizing baking soda clean. Before applying anything to the surface of the material, brush the couch with a stiff brush or a hand towel. Doing so will loosen any dry dirt or mess on the couch.
- Next, sprinkle baking soda over the entire couch and allow it to sit for no less than 20 minutes. Should you desire, it can be left on for up to an hour. If you have a brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner, apply it and vacuum the baking soda off of the couch. If you do not have an attachment to your vacuum, the process will take longer but can still be done effectively.
- Now it is time to mix a cleaning solution to tackle stains that may have endured the former process. This can be done by combining 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and finally a cup of warm water. Mix it and place it in a spray bottle, and just before screwing on the top, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. This will create a very bubbly mixture.
- Next, spray a white cloth with your newly-made cleaning solution and gently rub or dab at remaining stains on the fabric. Or, wipe down the entire couch if you are trying to give it a general spring clean.
- Allow the fabric to dry properly before use.
The online furniture store guide to cleaning a microfiber couch
When it comes to cleaning most microfiber couches, rubbing alcohol is your closest ally. Before you begin, however, ensure that the cleaning tag reads “S” for solvent – of which rubbing alcohol is a great option. Further, ensure that you test the rubbing alcohol on a small spot out of view to ensure it does not damage the couch’s material.
Going section by section, spray a specific area with your rubbing alcohol and then scrub it with a light-coloured or white sponge. This is important since the sponges are unlikely to transfer any colour onto your couch. You should notice, in the process, the dirt or stain transferring onto the sponge.
The microfiber should dry relatively quickly seeing as alcohol is known to evaporate fast. Once dry, utilise a scrub brush on the couch in a circular motion so as to fluff up the fabric.
The online furniture store guide to cleaning a leather couch
Because leather couches come in a variety of finishes, there are more options when it comes to cleaning solutions. However, when deciding how to clean your leather couch, be aware that the different leather types call for certain types of cleaning. There is no such thing as too much research when it comes to preparing to clean your leather couches.
The following cleaning instructions are applicable should you be dealing with a protected leather couch – which is arguably the most common type of leather finishes used on couches. Fortunately, it is also the simplest to clean. Again, be sure to check for a manufacturer’s cleaning label and performing a spot test before getting down to business.
- First, vacuum the entirety of the couch without forgetting the nooks and crannies.
- Wipe down the couch with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.
- Then, create your cleaning solution through combining equal parts white vinegar and water inside a small bucket.
- Dip your microfiber cloth inside the solution but ensure that it is damp rather than wet. Proceed to wipe the couch, while rinsing the cloth regularly.
- Afterwards, dry the couch with a clean microfiber cloth.
- You may wish to consider purchasing a leather conditioner for your couch and applying it every 6 to 12 months to increase its lifespan and keep it feeling soft to the touch.
The online furniture store guide to unclogging sinks
Most of us have had to do battle with our bathroom sinks. We can all agree that it is not a fun process, and in most cases, we are forced to give up and call in professionals to get the job down. However, there are some handy ways that have proven effective in unclogging sinks.
Bathroom sinks are forced to deal with soap scum, toothpaste, hair and various other grooming chemicals that all work together to form a sometimes impenetrable blockage. Here are 3 natural ways to unclog a bathroom sink:
Baking soda and vinegar
Possibly the most popular and well-known natural sink de-clogger is the timeless baking soda and vinegar combination. It has remained popular over the years due to its effectiveness and simplicity. You need only mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with a 1/3 cup of vinegar. The mixture will proceed to fizz and should quickly be poured down the drain for maximum effect.
It is the fizzing action that will help remove grime and hair inside the drain. Once you have poured in the mixture, allow it to sit for around an hour before flushing it out with hot water.
Salt and baking soda
Another popular combination is salt and baking soda, which many have found to be highly effective when it comes to blocked drains. Simply mix half a cup of both salt and baking soda respectively and pour the mixture down the drain.
Then, wait around 15 minutes before pouring boiling hot water down the drain. When combined, the hot water, cold water and baking soda can pack a relatively hard punch and are surprisingly effective.
Boiling water
Simple and quick, boiling water actually works well when it comes to certain drain clogs – soap scum blockages in particular.
The online furniture store guide to washing your duvets
Most people shy away at the idea of shoving their duvets inside the washing machine and pressing start – especially if the insides are stuffed with feathers or other delicate materials. Many of us do not even know where to start when it comes to washing our duvets. Changing the duvet cover is no difficult feat, but washing the duvet is another story.
Most duvets have labels which recommend professional cleaning, but this can often turn out to be quite costly. In most cases, duvets actually can be washed at home – as long as you follow the label cleaning guidelines. However, you will need to be willing to put a considerable amount of time into the task – as well as have a washing machine big enough to fit the duvet. If the above factors are possibilities, this is we as your trusted online furniture store recommend you clean your duvet:
Preparing the duvet
Before you begin the actual washing of your duvet, you must first remove the duvet cover (which can be included in your normal laundry load). Should you have a feather or down duvet, special care will need to be taken. While you can indeed wash a feather duvet at home, contrary to popular belief, you need to make sure that it is in good condition before you begin the cleaning process as well as make sure that it is safe to be machine washed (which should be indicated on the label).
Checking the condition of your duvet involves looking out for holes or loose feathers. If necessary, you may need to sew up any holes or large tears – otherwise you may end up with a ruined duvet and a washing machine filled with feathers. Once you have completed this step, you are good to go.
Applying the correct settings and detergents
Whatever your duvet may be made out of, a gentle setting is always recommended. Warm water, not hot, should be used. A temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius is always a safe bet.
When it comes to detergent, opting for something mild is best. That is, of course, unless your duvet is very badly stained. Should your duvet have dark and noticeable stains, consider using a detergent with a built-in stain remover. Most stain-removing detergents of today are relatively gentle.
While machine-washing your duvet, do not stray too far away from the machine. Just before your machine begins the spin cycle, stop it and set it to perform another rinse. This is important as duvets have a tendency to retain soapy water after only one rinse. An extra rinse should be enough to make sure it is clear of soap matter.
Drying the duvet
The best bet for drying your duvet is to utilise a dryer. If this is not an option, you may have to resort to line-drying it. You need to make extra sure that it dries fully, otherwise mildew can form inside.
