Will Baking Soda Clean Upholstery?
We’ve all seen those ads with the before and after shots of a couch that’s beautifully clean without any stains, thanks to some baking soda. But is it really true? Can baking soda clean upholstery?
This article will teach you everything you need to know about using baking soda as a cleaner for furniture and fabric. From safety considerations to tips and tricks, you’ll be able to tackle any stain with ease! If you have the time to learn how to do this safely, then read on!
For example, if your sofa is looking dingy, here are some easy steps to clean it using baking soda:
- Vacuum first
- Take a box of baking soda and sprinkle it on the stain
- Brush it into the fabric with a dry brush
- Wait for 30 minutes
- Use regular water to wash off residue and dry with a clean towel
What is baking soda?
Baking soda is a home remedy that many people have used for cleaning and using as a rust remover. The key ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is sometimes called “baking soda” or “soda ash” or “sodium bicarbonate.” As the name suggests, the active ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.
Baking soda can help remove both odor and stains. So you’ll find it in a wide range of products, such as spray cleaners, deodorants, toothpaste, shampoo, carpet cleaners, upholstery, and many more. However, if the stain is stubborn, baking soda can sometimes be difficult to remove from the fabric.
Treat Upholstery
According to GreatCall’s Mayo Clinic, two common household products that work great as a permanent stain remover for a range of fabrics are:
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
Dish Soap’s also great to use for hard-to-remove stains on solids and fluids, like ink, ink stains, and bloodstains.
Baking Soda for carpet
If you have carpets, using baking soda is another great way to clean the rugs in your home. To start with, you will need:
- a box of baking soda
- a wet cloth or rag
- some cleaner
- cotton swabs
- vacuum first
- take a box of baking soda and sprinkle it on the stain
- brush it into the carpet with a dry cloth
- wait for 30 minutes
- use regular water to wash off residue and dry with a clean towel
If you followed the above steps correctly, you should now see the baking soda do its magic on the carpet. The stains should lighten up and be completely gone in the space of 30 minutes. If not, there is probably a different type of cleaner you can try.
Baking Soda for upholstery
This can be tricky, so do not start without doing your research. If you have access to a power washer, I would recommend using that method to clean your upholstery. I don’t particularly appreciate getting my hands wet, so I typically dry the fabric using a hairdryer.
Once the upholstery is dry, pat it down with a clean towel and give it a good vacuum. You can also spray on some odor-free or lightly scented laundry detergent (not recommended for children’s items, as it can leave a powdery residue) and let it sit until it dries completely.
When it comes to fabric upholstery, you will want to make sure you follow the directions of your fabric stain remover. Please don’t overdo it and use it too much. You can use the same laundry detergent that you used to remove the stain.
Safety Considerations of using baking soda as a cleaner
But before you take the plunge and try it yourself, here are some important safety measures to take. Do not use any chemicals on a leather sofa! This is bad for leather, bad for the sofa, and bad for your health! If using a low sodium or hydrogen peroxide solution, ensure the user is done with the supervision of a person who experienced in-home cleaning.
You can also opt for an all-natural alternative such as vinegar or olive oil. If you’re doing it yourself, use a drop or two of the products into a sponge or rag and apply the solution directly onto the surface of the fabric or leather. It’s worth noting that using a harsh chemical cleaner like a cleanser, bleach, or detergent may strip the color from the fabric.
Conclusion
So, it’s not magic, but it can do a good job. If the stain is particularly stubborn, repeat the steps. If the stain is big, using a pumice stone will also work.
Don’t be tempted to use alcohol or anything else, no matter how much you feel like you’ve tried everything. After all, it’s often only an overuse of products like ammonia that can break down furniture’s protective oils.
