Like any surface you use regularly, you need to clean your recliner every once in a while. Bacteria and dust come off your skin and clothes whenever you lean back on it. And if you ever put your feet up on it, you can guess how quickly that can make it dirty.

Different recliners have different cleaning requirements. You need to understand your recliner’s needs before trying to clean it. Here’s an overview of how to clean a recliner properly.

Preliminary Sweeping And Vacuuming

Before going into cleaning products, you should get any loose, dry grime off of your recliner. This includes dirt, dust, crumbs, and anything else that will be harder to clean once the recliner is wet. This is a must even for a professional upholstery cleaning service.

Some materials don’t react well to heavy-duty vacuums, so make sure that whatever you use to wipe the mess up won’t damage the recliner. If you’re worried about using a vacuum, you can sweep it with a broom and/or dustpan.

For Water-Safe Recliners – Laundry Detergent

Your Sherman Oaks home’s recliner should have a tag that tells you what you can use to clean it. There should be symbols on that tag, displaying W, S, SW, or X. A “W” means it can be cleaned with water, while an “SW” indicates that it works with many types of water and solvent, but do some spot-testing first and be careful.

If your recliner is water safe, mix two cups of water with two tablespoons of laundry detergent. Dish soap works just as well. Wipe this solution on your recliner with a clean cloth and clean up any residue left over once it dries. If the residue does not easily remove, call for upholstery cleaning.

For Solvent-Safe Recliners – Spray Solvent

If the tag has an “S,” your recliner must be cleaned with solvent. An “SW” works with some solvents but not others, so do some testing or further research.

There are many solvents on the market, and not all work with everything. Always put a little solvent on an inconspicuous area before going all out with the cleaner to test that it won’t cause any damage.

Spray the recliner with the solvent and let it sit. Scrub the remaining solvent away with a brush.

For Fragile Recliners – Continue Brushing

This is rare, but some recliners have an “X” for their cleaning code. This means that both solvents and water-based cleaners will damage these recliners. Be very careful using these recliners, and never spill anything on them.

If this is your recliner type, the best you can do is continue brushing and sweeping its surface. Don’t get too vigorous with brushing. Always take extreme care when cleaning these recliners.

For An Extra Push – Call A Professional

If your recliner is water-safe, you can have it steam-cleaned professionally. A professional Sherman Oaks upholstery cleaning service can thoroughly get all kinds of grime out of your recliner that typical cleaning methods can’t touch.

If you need steam cleaning in the Sherman Oaks area, give us a call. Our professional Sherman Oaks cleaning technicians can clean your recliner better than you ever will.