Whether you run a pub, restaurant, hotel or club, spillages and wear and tear are a fact of life. As a result, your upholstered furniture is likely to require regular spot cleans as and when accidents happen as well as periodic all-over cleaning to keep it looking fresh and well-maintained.
Here are some top tips on how to keep your upholstered furniture looking as good as the day you bought it.
1. Vacuum first
Dust is never a good look, so it’s important to incorporate vacuuming upholstered chairs into your cleaning routine. For fully upholstered armchairs and sofas, begin by checking down the sides for any loose change or crisp packets that may have found their way down there. A powerful vacuum cleaner with an easy-to-use upholstery attachment and crevice tool is a must to remove surface dust and crumbs. For best results, use a slow side-to-side motion to pick up crumbs and dust before switching to the crevice tool to tackle the seams where everyday detritus tends to accumulate.
2. Check the label
Before you tackle a stain, you need to make sure you know what products can be used on your upholstery, so you don’t make the problem worse by using an inappropriate product on your furniture. At Trent Furniture we offer a wide range of upholstery on many of our ranges of furniture including our comfy chairs. We have something to match every décor scheme, including hard-wearing fabrics that will withstand constant use and the resulting need for regular cleaning.
As well as looking at the colour and pattern, check the cleaning instructions before buying:
- S or P: this means solvent-based cleaner only (dry clean only)
- SW: this means water, solvent or steam are safe to use
- W: this means can be cleaned with water
- X: this means vacuum only – requires professional cleaning
3. Spot clean any stains
Ideally, spillages should be cleaned up as soon as they happen but in a busy pub or restaurant environment this isn’t always possible, not least because stains are not always noticed until closing time or the next day.
White vinegar works effectively to remove stains from most upholstery. Begin by making an equal parts water and vinegar solution, then use a clean cloth to blot the stain before gently wiping it with a spotlessly clean microfibre cloth and leaving to dry naturally. Some people like to complete the process by adding a final step of cleaning with a weak solution of mild detergent and tepid water.
4. Get rid of smells
A spilled pint of lager or glass of wine leaves an unwelcome mark in the form of smell as well as staining. Odour-neutralising fabric sprays are an option; however, a cheap and effective alternative is to sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the affected area, leave overnight and vacuum off the next day. Even if you have no obvious stains on your upholstered chairs, this is a good habit to get into in order to keep your chairs looking and smelling as fresh as new.
Quality upholstered furniture for the hospitality industry
Choosing upholstery for your pub, restaurant or hotel is an opportunity to make a style statement and create a unique atmosphere to welcome your guests. To discuss the wide range of options we have available at Trent Furniture call us today on 0116 286 4911 or fill in our contact form.