How to Dry Clean Upholstery at Home | How to Clean Dry Clean Only Furniture

How to dry clean upholstery at home, how to clean dry clean only furniture. Upholstery dry cleaning is time consuming but ultimately rewarding. In this tutorial let our cleaning specialist Carl teach you how to dry clean furniture sofa upholstery at home. This dry cleaning process isn't limited to upholstery or fabric, it will also work to dry clean clothing, dry clean shoes, dry clean curtains, and, well anything that can be dry cleaned.
Please be sure to take care whilst working with dry cleaning solvents, they are good for dry cleaning fabric, not so good for your lungs - open a window or two and take children and pets away from the area. Follow all the steps when dry cleaning furniture that can only be dry cleaned as they are important to achieve the best results. Be especially careful if you're dry cleaning curtains if you are working at height, don't injure yourself!
To dry clean you will need:
1. A vacuum
2. A stiff brush
3. Rubbing alcohol/IPA
4. Cotton towels
5. Adequate ventilation
6. To subscribe to our channel our videos are awesome :P
Full instructions on my shiny new cleaning website (along with all my tutorials broken down by category): cleaninghow.to...
#Asmr #Satisfying #cleaning #restoration

[@pabost10]

Blummin brilliant - now I don't need to look for an expensive steam cleaner.. I reckon I can clean my sofa like this. By the way, I could listen to you talking all day, so soothing. Thanks again.. big love

[@CleaningHowTo]

Ha - thank you so much! Did you try it?

[@pabost10]

@@CleaningHowTo Tomorrow - kids were sitting on it most of today!

[@rhodad1673]

Ohhhh. Cotton towel. I thought you were saying Cottonelle, as in the toilet paper. Lol! Thanks for the video.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Haha - my accent is pretty strong, sorry 😂

[@morningmorgan6341]

I’m thinking of purchasing a green velvet sofa so I just needed to see how to care for the fabric, so thank you for this video.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@destinyssister]

This makes me a lit less nervous about getting my couch re-upholstered.

[@blackgrlfly]

So I did everything in the video. Ordered the vacuum brush head, the IPA (mines 90%) I got the brush, I already had towels and I kept my balcony door open wore gloves as well. I've got a 2 velvet finish loveseats and 4 dining room chairs of the same color and texture. I didnt want to risk anything so I went with the dry clean method. There was some of the velvet finish underneath the dining chair along the border and I figured that would be the perfect place to test as you cannot see under the chair. I got my IPA sprayed twice on the towel and rubbed thoroughly. My furniture is black in coloring and I didnt see any brown dirt coming off on the towel, the towel looked like a soft grey if anything (towel is white) but it didnt seem to be taking color so I cautiously continued cleaning the chairs then went over tested a area on my couch and carried on. Still no brown on towel but the towel looked like it was getting dirty and as I'm a germaphobe I cleaned each couch twice just to be sure. But before I started the second couch I looked back at one of the chairs and along the boarder where your thighs would lay there was a small hole. I know I didnt rub aggressively or soak my towel and nothing else came out that way. I'm super upset and confused and dont know how this could have happened. Now I worry if I'm gonna wake up and the couches will be destroyed idk. I certainly dont remember that hole being there. Is that something that is possible has that ever happened???

[@CleaningHowTo]

Cleaning the velvet wont have damaged it - i suspect you have just revealed damage that was already present I'm afraid.

[@laurabarksdale2845]

This is so helpful! I'm thrilled I found you just when I needed to clean my sofa. :) Is there a particular strength of rubbing alcohol that works best? Or will any strength do the trick?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Any strength will do but increase the amount if it's a lower concentration. Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing if you liked the videos :)

[@marcoalzeni2398]

1:24 I banged my car seat and 9 months later a wee baby seat came out.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Haha :P

[@marcoalzeni2398]

@@CleaningHowTo btw good video, thanks for the info ;)

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@marcoalzeni2398 happy to help :)

[@fopguy41]

Hi Carl. Great video. Wondering if this would clean up small mold on couch?

[@cynthialong5175]

OMG thank you! You completely demystified the process for me. Gracias!

[@CleaningHowTo]

You’re very welcome :-) Did you try it out?

[@toddandersonmusic]

worked great. thanks.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Brilliant :)

[@sharmilacarlton3463]

Great video, thanks! Lots of good information! I have a Pottery Barn quilt/ coverlet, one side rayon 80%/ silk 20% VELVET, and other side pure silk. It would be expensive to dry clean. IF it survived cold hand wash with a gentle silk detergent, and air dried, whats the best way to restore the pile? It’s extremely soft and plush pre-washing, I can’t really even tell which way the nap goes, its so soft I just don’t want to ruin the plush velvet. It is reasonably color fast for being a dark plum color AND, as some one else asked, how can one get “head/body oils” that set in with regular use, off the pillow covers? And restore the nap where the head has flattened the nap? Thanks!

[@JamieRandallGraphicDesign]

What kind of dry cleaning solvent did you say? Something in addition to alcohol? I have a dry clean only green velvet couch

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@JamieRandallGraphicDesign any dry cleaning solvent will work. Ventilate well

[@nicolestewart]

Awesome. I just finished cleaning a giant 5 foot teddy bear today. I removed the stuffing, cleaned the feet, hands and face with foam carpet cleaner. I turned the teddy bear inside out and sprayed it fully with rubbing alcohol and put it in the sun. I then washed it in the washing machine on delicate cycle and dryed it in the dryer. It came out immaculate however, it still smells in a few sections on the teddy bear. Btw I found it on a clean up on the side of the road. Should I spray it again with rubbing alcohol and leave it outside in the sun to air dry so the smell goes away?

[@CleaningHowTo]

That’s what I’d do unless the stuffing is contaminated!

[@theofficialdes]

Yeah I would’ve let it bathe in the sun for a while and probably replaced the stuffing with some new stuffing and stuff it with dryer sheets

[@nicolestewart]

@@theofficialdes hi there, the teddy bear is perfect. I left the bear in the sun for 3 days and it’s been perfect ever since. I also added some more stuffing. 🐻🥰

[@michelemarch3273]

Thank You!

[@CleaningHowTo]

Glad to have helped :)

[@TR4zest]

Are there fabirics that you can't use the dry cleaning methos on? Great vid. Thanks.

[@CleaningHowTo]

The vast majority of fabrics will be dry cleanable but always test! An example of something I wouldnt dry clean would be a wax coat/jacket. Thanks for the sub :)

[@gethinchristian]

Great video and it looks easy the way you explain it. Will this method be effective on a cream chenille fabric sofa?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Yes it should, but ALWAYS test. Chenille isnt a fiber type its a type of weave so it's down to what the fiber is; dry cleaning is the safest method regardless!

[@justmejo9008]

Thanks for this 🤗

[@CleaningHowTo]

You’re very welcome :)

[@brianneververda9243]

Any advice on how to fix crushed velvet on a chair? I made the mistake of trying to steam it while cleaning.

[@CleaningHowTo]

So what has happened exactly? Has the pile distorted? If so, how? Is there labelling on the upholstery; does it say what the velvet is made of? When yo say you steamed it, with what? A steam jet directly or using what attachments?

[@adriennahuizar1349]

Thanks for this video I found a velvet couch but had a strong pet smell! Any additional tips for cleaning ?🧼 it’s a beautiful couch.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Watch my velvet cleaning tutorial :)

[@eleanorkeddy9671]

I used this to clean my sofa but I can still smell the rubbing alcohol. What do I do?

[@CleaningHowTo]

It’ll evaporate - was it pure rubbing alcohol or is there other ingredients?

[@calixadventure5187]

Great videos!

[@sarahhopeful6683]

Thank you for the vidéo! I just subscrided :)

[@CleaningHowTo]

Thanks a million! Did you use the method?

[@Methoverbitches]

Are we trimming bonsai or cleaning velvet? Who cares I’m here for it 🫀❤️😍

[@CleaningHowTo]

Ha! I love this comment :P

[@enkheea7519]

Can you use this method for blood stains? Thanks for the informative video!

[@CleaningHowTo]

I’d honestly call a pro to deal with blood but if that’s not an option try transferring with cold water using the method in my velvet cleaning tutorial. You could also try peroxide on a cotton bud/q tip but test patch first to make sure the material can handle it!

[@jennydager]

Hi Carl, Thank you for your video, and the laughs! My couch is a off-white textured fabric. Although I use throws on it for everyday use, I have noticed areas where my arm touches it- piping on an included pillow, back cushion, etc. that have soiled areas. Would this method work with a light-colored fabric as well as textured, thick, linen weave type sofa? Thank you!

[@CleaningHowTo]

It should work yup!

[@FooDerr]

I found a chair at the side of the street, but it was raining, so it’s all wet. How should I dry it?

[@CleaningHowTo]

I’d need a lot more information than this. Wet vac?

[@angelvue]

Thanks for the video. Could I use a microfiber cloth instead?

[@CleaningHowTo]

ceecee you could but a cotton towel will yield better results!

[@conniesmith4108]

🤗thank you 😊 subscribed

[@CleaningHowTo]

Welcome aboard :-)

[@candaceollis1102]

Dust mite roller coaster 🤣

[@namenoname3295]

Shenmue music in the background?

[@CleaningHowTo]

It's on imovie which I use to edit the videos - I thought it was calming; dry cleaning should be calming haha :)

[@wittanybrown5660]

Hi there! Is this the method to use for oil stains on velvet?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Yes but be careful not to push the oil in further!

[@veronicaschindler4059]

Is this the best method to clean heavily soiled upholstery? It seems to be taking ages! And I need to go back to stains multiple times-and yet have for it to fully remove stains. Unsure what the stains are, as they are thrifted. Not velvet…

[@CleaningHowTo]

Not in the least the best method to clean heavily soiled upholstery - but far too many variables to run through to advise you. I’d call a pro.

[@veronicaschindler4059]

@@CleaningHowTo fair enough. Cheers!

[@ginnieporter641]

hi, i watched your other video on cleaning a chair just like that one. was wondering what you would recommend for upholstery on a couch to be used in an airbnb? seems like everything affordable is velvet these days. is it really very durable? i have a microfiber couch now which is amazing but it's hard to find a couch under $600 (my budget) with that fiber. thanks for your help.

[@CleaningHowTo]

Velvet is a type of pile, not a fabric. Micro Fiber is polyamide and cleans up well as it’s essentially plastic. Synthetic fibers tend to clean up better; avoid cotton and viscose.

[@lisak3186]

Loved your video, informative and funny! Question, I recently got a couch and chairs and it is a silk/wool blend flat weave fabric. It’s vintage and hasn’t been cleaned probably ever (since 70s). Would you recommend this method? Does this type of brush work ok on all fabrics or should I get a gentler one? Also, when you do a test is there a place you’d suggest trying? I guess the side no one will see but that part isn’t dirty lol. You rock!

[@CleaningHowTo]

The brush is a bit too aggressive for a silk flat weave but the method should be fine. The test is to make sure you dont damage the fabric so somewhere hidden is ideal :)

[@Rebecca-is9os]

Do you think this would work on a cotton rayon blend?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Test it on a patch but I dont see why not!

[@nishantpatel804]

Would this work for my fabric C639320 listed with a clean code S, which is 12% Linen, and 88% Polyester?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Probably. Test it.

[@judywalsh6667]

Where can you get rubbing alcohol in Ireland, cant find it for the life of me and the sofa in my rented flat is manky, dry clean only and supposed to be cream 🙄

[@CleaningHowTo]

I actually own a cleaning product distribution business in Ireland - if you cant find rubbing alcohol, we sell this which is very good: cleaningwarehouse.ie/all-products/chemspec-dry-fabric-cleaner-with-biosolve-3-8-litre/ :)

[@judywalsh6667]

@@CleaningHowTo cool thanks, would that work for removing water stain rings from it too?

[@CleaningHowTo]

+Judy Walsh it might but it depends on the Fiber type!

[@jonburrows2684]

anything you can add to make it smell good too? I don't think alcohol would be a good smell good type of solvent

[@CleaningHowTo]

+Elvis Presley there’ll be no smell once it evaporates but a few drops of essential oil should be fine! Let me know if it works 😝

[@milosbmw]

Hey Carl, I love your channel and your professional instruction how to clean fabric. I have a sofa that has the following cleaning instruction "Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately". It is 100% polyester material and 100% leather look. How would you tackle this to remove odors and light stains? I would appriciate your input on this. Cheers

[@CleaningHowTo]

Thank you for your kind words and support, genuinely it means a lot :) So it sounds like a microfiber material - does it look and feel like suede? What are the odours and stains?

[@milosbmw]

Yes it feels soft like suede, but from distance it it lloks like leather. I am trying to remove body odor and some grease from head rest area. I have tried using warm water + dish detergent, but didn't really work. Anything else that comes to your mind?

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@milosbmw I'd try some rubbing alcohol to dissolve the grease (use it neat).

[@barbaralake4222]

What percentage rubbing alcohol to use - it comes in 70 and 99 percentages?

[@CleaningHowTo]

70% ideally

[@laurnadoyle6046]

Is this the one you told me to watch for my blinds 🤣🤣

[@CleaningHowTo]

Laurna Doyle yup 👍

[@laurnadoyle6046]

Cleaning How To thanks a million.🙏 Just subcribed male irish version of mrs hitch 🤣🤣

[@CleaningHowTo]

Laurna Doyle haha - I’ll take that as a compliment (I think :p) thanks for the sub I’m a small channel and the subs and shares really do help a lot!

[@laurnadoyle6046]

Cleaning How To 100% compliment 🙈😂

[@JayaShay]

Hey Carl watched this after your velvet clean tutorial. I used Dr Beckman (just the foam) and it has left two white circles on my electric blue sofa. I was trying to get chocolate or what later could be discovered as blood dots out of my sofa. Sprayed the seat cushion with scotch guard and wiped over with a wrung out microfibre cloth which made the seat cushion look plush but now im left with two circles of faded white on my beautiful sofa!!! What should I do?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Is the Dr Beckmans oxygenated?

[@JayaShay]

@@CleaningHowTo hey Carl thankyou for replying on a Sunday (Im in the UK). It says with "oxi-power formula"

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@JayaShay unfortunately the oxy element is peroxide and has probably bleached the material. You could try misting white vinegar on the area and grooming it but it sounds like the velvet is damaged tbh.

[@JayaShay]

@@CleaningHowTo Oh gosh I watched these videos after and wanted to get the stain out (impatient). Do you think it will fade over time?? I only used the foam portion and dabbed it gently (gutted)

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@JayaShay I really can’t assess based on description to be honest, far too many factors. Might be time to call a pro in your area to come and have a look. Those oxy products are lethal, though.

[@serenacerda7939]

how would I go about cleaning my code s couch? as my dog peed on a cushion and I’m trying to figure it out. Would love to know! 😭

[@CleaningHowTo]

Call a pro it needs to be extracted.

[@serenacerda7939]

@@CleaningHowTo really? there’s no other solution? ☹️

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@serenacerda7939 watch my tutorial on how I remove urine from a rug but I would still recommend a pro!

[@jackwhite6513]

what if my sofa didn't have a label and i used a water based stain remover and now its water stained will getting a dry solvent take the water stains out or is my sofa ruined also i cannot remover the bottom covers as they are built in many thanks!

[@CleaningHowTo]

What is the sofa made of?

[@jackwhite6513]

@@CleaningHowTo some sort of cloth material

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@jackwhite6513 I need the actual material if you want me to try and help - for example is it polyester, viscose, cotton, linen et cetera

[@jackwhite6513]

@@CleaningHowTo 34% modacrylic, 11% cotton, 55 % polyester

[@jackwhite6513]

thats all i know

[@marywolphagen5087]

My cat sits on my chairs. That is why they get so dirty. Will this harm my cat once the alcohol has evaporated?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Mary Wolphagen no not at all, just make sure it’s all evaporated before letting your cat sit in them :)

[@FRUITOSE001]

What about satin fabric?

[@CleaningHowTo]

What about it? 🤣

[@manalopalongo]

Do you know how to remove a water stain on a velvet sofa?

[@CleaningHowTo]

+Mr Brooklyn try cleaning it like the method in the video but use 10% white vinegar in the water. If that doesn’t work call a pro - less is more don’t over wet it, be patient!

[@sarahborrell9854]

Hi can all fabrics be dry cleaned?

[@CleaningHowTo]

Most can yes, what are you trying to clean?

[@Cynthia123]

Will this method remove water stains from Code S fabric?

[@CleaningHowTo]

I have no idea what code s fabric is, sorry. Do you know the material type?

[@Cynthia123]

@@CleaningHowTo Code S means only water-free cleaning solvents should be used. My sofa is 100% polyester.

[@CleaningHowTo]

@@Cynthia123 you could literally throw buckets of water at polyester and it wouldn’t cause damage - use the method in my velvet cleaning video :)

[@a.blakelee8807]

how do you get urine out of velvet sofa? pet and human

[@CleaningHowTo]

Needs to be neutralised and extracted - best to call a pro.

[@Snarfelle]

I smacked my car seat and now my car smells like last week's farts

[@CleaningHowTo]

LMAO - good to know :P

[@dawnunderwood3303]

@@CleaningHowTo Joker in every crowd. Made me laugh🤭

[@erikgallagher876]

DAMN JUST GET TO THE POINT OF THE VIDEO FFS

[@CleaningHowTo]

Don’t like it? Don’t watch it. . .

[@erikgallagher876]

@@CleaningHowTo not a problem!

[@c.doloreshunt3367]

Too much comedy at the beginning that I just don’t have an interest any more. Just tell me how to do it!! I got so mad (mostly impatient) I had to go find my Google password then sign in to make this complaint. Get to the point please!!!

[@CleaningHowTo]

Don’t like it, don’t watch it. It amazes me how people can complain about something they’re getting for free 😂😂😂

[@HighRoller713]

Stop crying

[@hectorheath9742]

You're a lovely man but that wasn't..really..any good.