We all love a sparkling clean chair, and being able to do regular cleaning to keep everything fresh is a great feeling.
With fabric upholstery, such as with the Ikea Strandmon chair, the easiest way to do regular cleaning is with a steam cleaner.
But, not everyone has a steam cleaner, so finding alternative options for deep cleaning fabric upholstery, cushions, and other surfaces is important.
Keep reading to discover the best and easiest ways to clean your fabric chair upholstery without a steam cleaner.
Table of Contents
Materials Needed
- Vacuum with attachments
- Laundry detergent or liquid dish soap
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft scrub brush or toothbrush
Step 1: Vacuum Surface Dirt
Before you start, ensure all large debris, crumbs, and surface dirt is removed with the vacuum. Use a variety of upholstery and small brush attachments to dislodge as much dirt and debris as you can.
Any vacuum will work fine, though stronger vacuums are best, such as those that are made for cleaning up pet hair or larger surface debris.
Even smaller handheld vacuums will work perfectly well, as you simply want to remove the bigger pieces of dirt, food crumbs, hairs, and the like.
Ensure you focus on the edges, any tight areas, as well as along the seams. Crumbs, hair, and dirt can gather in these spots and can potentially cause a problem later if not dealt with beforehand.
Step 2: Do a Spot Clean Treatment
After the chair has been thoroughly vacuumed, look it over for any major stains or thoroughly caked in dirt.
This is the best time to do a spot cleaning treatment using a small amount of laundry detergent or liquid dish soap, a scrub brush or toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth.
Start by placing a small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent directly on the stain. Slowly and gently use the toothbrush or scrub brush to work the detergent or dish soap into the stain.
Spritz or drizzle a small amount of water onto the stain as well, and work the soap or detergent into a nice lather over the stain.
Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then use a damp microfiber cloth to blot and rub away the soap. Repeat the process with a damp microfiber cloth until the soap has been mostly removed from these spot treated areas.
Step 3: Start Scrubbing the Fabric
After the spot treatment, it’s time to scrub the rest of the upholstery. Mix up a cleaning paste using white vinegar and baking soda.
This can be done in a 1 to 1 ratio, or you can adjust it to get a paste thickness that is to your liking.
Use the scrub brush to spread the paste all over the upholstery and gently scrub it in. Don’t forget to focus on trouble spots such as around the seam, alongside the edge of the cushion, and on the underside as well.
Be sure to go over the areas you previously spot treated as well, since a little extra attention will help ensure the stain is entirely gone.
Baking soda and vinegar are both non-staining and non-fading ingredients, so they work exceptionally well on brightly colored or heavily patterned upholstery fabric.
Step 4: Rinse Away the Cleaning Solution
Once the chair has been given a thorough scrub on all surfaces, it’s time to rinse away the soap and cleaning paste.
This can be done in your sink, in a bathtub, or with a water hose outdoors. Regardless of where you choose to rinse your chair, always take your time and be sure the soap is completely removed.
Leftover soap can lead to stiff or discolored patches and streaks, as well as a strong detergent odor when you sit in the chair later on.
Don’t be afraid to get the chair thoroughly wet during this part – as long as you are sure you will be able to provide ample drying time afterwards.
Step 4: Ensure Fabric Can Dry
After the chair has been thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, it’s important to give it plenty of time to air dry.
If you want to speed up the drying process, using a portable fan, a hair dryer, or allow the chair and cushions to sit in the sun for a short time can help.
Keep in mind that too much sun can fade colors, so on bright or patterned chairs, try to limit the amount of sun-time to around 30 minutes.
After the chair has dried, you can take a small spray bottle of 1 part clean water to 1 part white vinegar and mist the chair’s surface. This will help disinfect the surface of the chair, while also helping to reduce any leftover odor from the detergent or soap.
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.