How to Make Homemade Upholstery Cleaner

To make homemade upholstery cleaner is a reasonably simple task that requires little more than basic common sense and a small amount of knowledge on the types of upholstery material it can be used on. Upholstery material is usually made of three types of fabric - natural, synthetic or a combination material that is partly natural and synthetic. To place a water-based homemade upholstery cleaner on a natural fiber upholstery material will ruin it, as it will gain a brownish hue that cannot be removed. Water based homemade upholstery cleaner should only be used on synthetic materials. The homemade upholstery cleaner that is correct for use in natural fabric is basically a mineral spirit based creation, as it will not damage the upholstery material. While combination fabrics can be cleaned with water-based homemade upholstery cleaner, it is best cleaned with mineral spirits to prevent any possible issues.

There is a simple test to determine if your fabric material is natural or synthetic if no manufacturers tag is present on the furniture. From the inside of a seat cushion or other inconspicuous place cut a small piece of fabric and hold it in a pair of tweezers. Using a match or cigarette lighter ignite the fabric - if it melts it is a synthetic material, if it burns slowly to an ash it is made of a natural fiber. This simple test will determine which type of homemade upholstery cleaner can safely be used without incident.

To make a homemade upholstery cleaner that is water-based mix 4 parts water with one part vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap that contains a degreasing agent. This can be sprayed onto fabric and blotted dry to clean upholstery quite well. To make a homemade upholstery cleaner for natural materials, simply take a pint of mineral spirits and add a few drops of essential oil such as a citrus type to give the fabric a fresh smell after cleaning. When using this on upholstery it is important to be very careful because mineral spirits are extremely flammable and should never be used near a flame or cigarette, and the area of use should be well ventilated by opening a door or window.

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