Natural Furniture Cleaning Methods Header

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.

Removing Stains from Upholstery

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.

  • Household Recipes ��� Click this link to open up a PDF document that lists household recipes for natural cleaning products. The document includes a recipe for an upholstery stain remover and wood furniture polish.
  • Homemade Cleaners ��� Click this link to open up a page on the Michigan State University Extension website. The page lists safe, homemade cleaners and spot removers.

Polishing Wood Furniture

Hand Polishing Wood with Pink Rag

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.

  • All Natural Wood Polish ��� This link opens up a page to a two-ingredient recipe for wood polish.
  • Polishing Wood Furniture ��� Click this link to open up a page on the DIY Network. The page lists three natural recipes for furniture polish. It also gives tips on ways to remove marks from wood furniture using natural products.
  • Discover New Ways to Use Cornstarch ��� This is a Reader's Digest article that lists the uses of cornstarch, including its use in cleaning and polishing wood.
  • Non Toxic Home Cleaning ��� By clicking this link readers are opening up a page that lists ingredients that are used in homemade cleaning recipes and explains what they do. It also lists homemade and natural cleaning products for cleaning around the house, including furniture.

Wood Furniture Cleaning

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.

  • Homemade Cleaning Products ��� Wood Furniture Cleaner ��� Click on this link to open up a page on the Consumer Reports website. Near the middle of the article on home cleaning products, a recipe is given for making a cleaner for wood furniture.
  • Do It Yourself Safe Cleaning Solutions ��� Clicking on this link will open up a PDF brochure that is filled with natural cleaning recipes. Readers will find recipes and directions for cleaning and polishing wood furniture, cleaning leather furniture, and an upholstery spot remover.

Leather and Fabric Upholstery Cleaning

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.

  • How to Make a Natural Upholstery Cleaner ��� Click this link for a natural upholstery cleaner recipe on the National Geographic website. The page includes recipes for leather, natural fabrics, and synthetic fabric sofas.
  • Naturally Clean Your Upholstery ��� On this page readers will find out how to clean and spot clean their sofa and its cushions. A recipe for spot cleaning is given in addition to a recipe for a dry furniture cleaner and its instructions.
  • Baking Soda - The Everyday Miracle ��� This is an article on baking soda and its many uses as a cleaner. It is a PDF document and it includes a review on how it freshen and deodorize upholstery.
  • Eco-Friendly Cleaning Recipes ��� This page includes ingredients and recipes for cleaning household items including furniture.

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