Regardless of how clean a person keeps his or her home, it is inevitable that the furniture will eventually need cleaning. Whether it is spot cleaning due to a spill or a thorough all-over cleaning, it is important to use the right products. While a person might be inclined to buy commercial cleaning products to do the trick, these products contain chemicals that aren't always environmentally or health friendly. Instead, one's kitchen is often filled with natural products that can safely be used to create all natural cleaning product recipes that are suitable for furniture. In addition to being eco-friendly, a person will also save a significant amount of money by using natural products such as lemons, vinegar and baking soda. The key to DIY natural cleaners is knowing what natural product to use for the cleaning one's couches and cushions versus other furniture such as wooden tables or accents.
Upholstery can easily become stained; particularly in households with children and pets. DIY natural cleaners are useful in removing stains from sofas and their cushions and even mattresses. To remove stains caused by spilled juice, food stains like those caused by dripped ketchup or spilled coffee, club soda on a clean cloth may work sufficiently. For more problematic stains, like those caused by pets and/or urine, scrub the area with a mixture of water and vinegar. Vinegar may also be used to remove grease stains from suede furniture. Not only does vinegar remove odors but it also helps with destroying bacteria.
Lemon is commonly used in all natural cleaning product recipes for furniture. Often it is found in recipes for furniture polish. Mix water with several drops of lemon juice to create an all natural spray to use as polish for varnished wood furnishings. Lemon mixed with olive oil or jojoba oil is another option for polishing furniture, specifically non-varnished furniture. If lemon is not available, vinegar may be substituted successfully. In these mixtures the lemon or vinegar cleans the wood while the oil serves to nourish it. If there is residue remaining after polishing, remove it naturally using cornstarch.
Vinegar, lemon juice and linseed oil are an example of a natural recipe for wood cleaner. Additional recipes use either lemon or vinegar in combination with olive oil to create an effective cleaner for one's wood furniture. This combination of natural ingredients should only be used on wood that has been sealed. When cleaning wood, use a soft, clean cloth to rub the natural cleaner recipe of one's choice into the wood.
DIY natural cleaners are a good option for cleaning leather furniture such as a leather coach or chair. A mixture of lemon and olive oil makes for a simple cleaner for leather. A paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar is an effective way to remove spots from leather. The paste is gently wiped onto the area with the spot and wiped clean. A dry upholstery cleaner for fabric sofas may be made from a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda, both of which will also help remove undesirable odors from upholstery.
White vinegar, water, and an all-natural soap can be turned into a spray for cleaning the surface of fabric sofas and cushions. Sofas that are made out of synthetic materials such as nylon or plastic may be cleaned using a warm water and vinegar mix.
by: Kylie Richardson