How to clean chair and stool cushions

When purchasing a stool or chair , it is best to do so from reliable sellers, whether on an online platform or a physical store. 

This allows you to see the quality of the products , to receive a guarantee and to be able to take advantage of any exchange and return services. 

Once you have taken this step, however, you will certainly have the desire to preserve your furniture for as long as possible.

The lifespan of these household objects is not only related to the quality and materials they are made of, but also to other equally fundamental factors, including:

    • the wear and stress they are subjected to during the day, 

    • the appropriate or inappropriate way to use such furnishings based on the purpose for which they were designed; 

• their     care and maintenance .

Especially this last point is of vital importance to increase durability. Not cleaning or doing it incorrectly, perhaps using aggressive products that are not suitable for the materials, can damage the object. 

For this reason it is better to be informed, not only on the washing methods for different garments and upholstery fabrics, but also on which products could damage or benefit the material.

Depending on whether the chair or stool is made of wood, metal, steel, polycarbonate or other, it is best to proceed differently. In some cases it is possible to act simply by using a wet or damp cloth , but in others it is necessary to have more sophisticated tools or products designed specifically for specific furnishings .

Below we will give you some useful tips for continuing with household chores without the risk of ruining dirty cushions and upholstery , considering the main fabrics that are usually used in the home.

How to clean upholstered fabric chairs or fabric office chairs

As a first case, let's take into consideration fabric chairs , very popular in past years, but still very current. 

They are in fact attractive and elegant models, suitable for a more rustic or baroque style.

Although aesthetically beautiful and valuable , their fabric padding can sometimes be difficult to remove stains, as it is very delicate. 

By paying the right amount of attention, however, and taking some precautions, you can achieve the desired result.

The first step to take concerns the choice of ingredients , which must be effective, but also delicate. 

For this purpose, natural ingredients are preferable to chemical detergents, i.e. those used every day in the kitchen.

Among them, salt has sanitizing and degreasing properties and can be very convenient to use, given its very low cost and the great ease with which it can be found. 

By diluting the salt in water it is possible to permanently eliminate stains and marks from the upholstery of the chairs, without causing any damage.

The same thing goes if you dilute it with vinegar or, better yet, with lemon juice . 

These are useful ingredients for many other natural and effective domestic applications.

In addition to salt, vinegar and lemon, you can also use very common hydrogen peroxide, a solution better known as hydrogen peroxide . 

Thanks to this ingredient, which is also easily available and economical, blood stains can even be eliminated. 

Clearly the product must be diluted in water. 

The solution obtained must be applied to the area to be treated and, after waiting a few minutes to let it act thoroughly, simply rub gently with a damp cloth . 

Avoid drying the chair in the sun, otherwise you may create additional stains that are difficult to clean! 

As an alternative to these natural ingredients, you can also use baking soda or talcum powder , taken individually or diluted in lemon juice.

It may seem strange, but milk is also one of the natural ingredients useful for removing stains from upholstery. 

Let it boil, apply it to the stain, wait a few minutes and remove everything with a soft cloth and water.

Furthermore, to ensure good hygiene and maintenance, it is advisable to pay attention not to dirty the chairs, especially if they are upholstered in precious fabrics.

Finally, at least once a week, eliminating the dust that inevitably settles on the surface is always a good habit. 

Alternatively, if it is inconvenient to clean them frequently, you can opt for removable covers that can be easily washed in the washing machine.

How to clean damask fabric

Damask is a fabric characterized by plays of shine and opacity, stronger color and shades, but above all by a complex weave, therefore difficult to treat .

If not cleaned correctly, a stain could remain indelible or leave a ring. 

You must therefore be very careful and follow the following steps to the letter.

In general, damask is widely used, not only for the creation of garments, but above all for elegant and high-class coverings, which can embellish even a simple living room armchair. 

Coming to the point, damask fabric should in no way be treated with aggressive agents that could fade it or leave it flaking. 

To start washing and maintenance, you need to have with you: a horsehair brush or a soft cloth, active dry foam if possible, a mini vacuum cleaner, a delicate solvent.

How to proceed, then?

    • Using the horsehair brush, dust carefully and without pressing too much on the surface, to avoid damaging it.

    • Next, always use a low-intensity portable vacuum cleaner with the utmost caution, so as to completely remove crumbs or dust that can get stuck in corners and small cracks.

    • Spread the foam dry or use a mild solvent , rubbing lightly with a soft, clean cloth.

    • Wait for the stain to dissolve on its own, leaving the upholstery and upholstery to air out.

If you intend to wash the damask covering in the washing machine or by hand, as it is removable, pay attention to the following instructions. 

For colored fabrics, normal washing at 30°C – 40°C and drying in the open air is recommended. 

If necessary, you can iron, preferably inside out. 

Avoid using a tumble dryer, which could swell the fabric, weakening it and fading the colour. 

As for white and light fabrics , it is possible to wash at 60°C or 90°C. 

However, before putting the garment in the washing machine, it is advisable to apply a delicate pre-wash stain remover, to ensure that the stain disappears completely.

The main advice is to look at the fabric label , so as to follow all the instructions carefully and be sure not to ruin anything.

How to wash kitchen chair cushions

Chair cushions , whether removable or not , are commonly used!

These are very comfortable accessories that also allow you to create color contrasts with the furnishings, thus embellishing the overall style of the house. 

Therefore, they are ideal for the kitchen environment, in which we spend most of the time of the day and, therefore, a certain comfort is necessary.

The advantages of using flat cushions, not excessively padded, are many and also concern the stability of the seat and the support it offers to the back, given that they avoid resting on the rigid surface of the chair.

However, it often happens that we see these accessories neglected, faded, damaged and perhaps full of dust and mites that have accumulated over time.

In addition to being in poor hygienic conditions, they also lose their aesthetic functionality.

Like the rest of the furnishings, cushions should be cleaned often , eliminating dust at least once a week and washed periodically, not just when they get dirty! 

It is a good habit to wash pillows with a certain frequency; these are widely used objects, which also retain odors.

Where specified on the label (and in most cases it is possible), the cushions can be put in the washing machine, taking care to adjust the spin cycle with medium speeds. 

Hand washing, however , is always recommended, as it cleans well and without too many risks; but let's see how to do it.

    • Immerse the cushions in a large container, taking care not to let them bend. 

    • Use a detergent that removes stains but not too strong , especially if the fabric is delicate (Marseille soap is perfect for this type of wash). 

    • Leave to soak for about half an hour and, if necessary, scrub gently with a laundry brush.

    • The ideal, after the subsequent rinsing in water, would be to take a rolling pin and roll out the cushions, letting out all the absorbed water without creasing them. 

By doing this, the structure of the foam will not be changed.

Finally, it is advisable to leave the cushions to air dry , perhaps in the sun . 

In fact, unlike the other elements described above, the cushions can be exposed to sunlight without problems. Furthermore, it would be advisable not to use clothespins or similar articles to avoid creating unsightly dimples, which do not go away easily.

Wash non-removable cushions in the washing machine

Washing non-removable cushions in the washing machine is possible, unless they are delicate or hand-knitted fabrics. 

Washing in the washing machine is always a valid alternative, especially for those who don't have much time to dedicate to washing by hand.

To properly wash non-removable cushions in the washing machine, you must:

    • put the cushions in the washing machine without wringing or compressing them, avoiding using overly powerful detergents or fabric softeners (if embroidered it is recommended to insert them in a special washing machine net);

    • set the spin cycle at around 800-900 rpm at a temperature not exceeding 40°, otherwise you risk damaging the fabric;

    • then, once the washing program is finished, leave them to dry in the sun and avoid activating the washer-dryer mode, as the ideal would be to let the cushions air, without creasing them.

In conclusion, it is best to pay close attention to how you treat chair coverings, avoiding staining them or using solvents and ingredients that are not suitable for the materials. 

Carrying out periodic cleaning and maintenance is the right behavior to keep germs away, but also to prevent the deterioration of fabrics, preserve their quality and their practical and aesthetic function!