How to Clean Upholstered Chairs with Baking Soda

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to Clean Upholstered Chairs with Baking Soda

1. Test a small area

   You should test a small area of your furniture before cleaning the entire piece. This is important because some upholstery materials are very delicate and can be damaged if you clean them incorrectly.
   
   To do this, take an unused tissue and lightly rub it over an inconspicuous spot that is typically hidden from view. If there is any discoloration or color bleeding, do not proceed with the entire cleaning process.
   
   I also recommend checking the care label on your upholstered chair or fabric sofa to ensure you are able to use this method to clean.

2. Vacuum

   Vacuum the entire chair and couch. Use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get into all the nooks and crannies. The upholstery nozzle or brush attachment should be able to fit between the cushions, so you can clean all of those surfaces as well. If there are any small areas that are hard to reach, use a lint roller instead (just make sure it has enough adhesive).
   
   Make sure you clean under every cushion! It's easy for dirt and dust bunnies to build up in there over time—trust me, I've found some nasty things hiding out under several different chairs in my apartment—so don't forget this step!

3. Mix Baking Soda and Water or Vinegar

   You can sprinkle baking soda directly onto the upholstered chair or you can create a paste for a more thorough clean. If you are making a paste, I recommend mixing your baking soda in a bowl with water or white vinegar before spearing it onto the fabric chair. It should be a paste and not a liquid.
   
   If you have a very stubborn stain, you can also mix in a 2 tablespoons of dish soap. I recommend trying the baking soda and vinegar paste before moving to this though because sometimes the dish soap can be difficult to remove at the end.

4. Apply Baking Soda Paste to Chair

   The first step to truly cleaning upholstery chairs is to apply the baking soda paste. Use a soft brush (such as a paintbrush) or a microfiber cloth, and apply it in small, gentle strokes. Use circular motions, and do not scrub. Avoid accidentally rubbing too hard as this may damage the fabric.
   
   Gently rub this paste into the fabric chair. Don't rub too much or you'll discolor the fabric! Also, be careful not to get any of this on the wooden parts of your chair—it will cause them to crack over time.
   

5. Let It Dry

   Now that you've cleaned your chair, it's time to let it dry. This will help make sure that the stain or dirt is removed and won't reappear over time. How long to leave it to dry depends on the type of fabric in your chair. Test a small area of your chair with a damp cloth to see how long it takes for the baking soda paste to dry. If it doesn't seem like there's any moisture left on the surface at all, then you're good to go!
   
   Check the label of your upholstered chair for specific instructions about drying times—it may differ from what I've recommended here depending on what kind of material or finish was used in making your piece.

6. Vacuum It Off

   Once everything has dried out (this could take hours or even overnight), it is time to remove the left over paste. This task is going to be pretty straightforward and simple. Take your upholstery attachment or crevice tool and start vacuuming where you put the baking soda paste down. Be sure to get into all of those corners and crevices, because there might be some baking soda residue still stuck around in there!
   
   Once that's done, move onto the entire chair—the area where you applied the paste should have been pretty well covered by now anyway—and give it one last good vacuum to get any remaining baking soda off of it.

7. Apply Fabric Protector Spray (if desired)

   You may choose to apply fabric protector spray, if desired. If you do so, spray in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry before continuing with your cleaning. The spray will help prevent stains from setting in and keep your fabric chair looking fresh for longer. However, it cannot protect against every stain (such as ones caused by food), so proceed with caution when using this product.