How To Clean Vinyl Furniture With Zero Damage

Well, buying leather furniture costs a fortune nowadays. But vinyl furniture instead fits the budget and offers the same luster or feel as leather. On top of that, the vinyl surface is easy to clean.

Wipe off the soft vinyl furniture with soapy water for regular cleaning. Later, dab away the residual solution with a damp towel and let the surface dry in the air. Likewise, baking soda, vinegar, bleach, ammonia, etc., are used to scrub off stubborn stains and clean hard vinyl furniture.

Keep reading for the detailed vinyl furniture cleaning guide.

A Regular Cleaning Routine Of Vinyl Furniture

Honestly, vinyl furniture needs the least care. Just do a regular clean-up once a month, and the piece will serve you for over a decade. The easy vinyl cleaning ritual is given below, 

1. Dusting The Couch: Vacuuming the furniture at a mild pressure. It will suck up the dirt and any crumbling resting or hiding in the furniture corners.

2. Prepare A Cleaning Solution: Vinyl cleaning solutions are now available at a commercial level. But a homemade warm water and soap mixture will also do the magic.

3. Clean The Furniture: Use a soft-bristled brush or a cloth to rub the mixture on the vinyl. The brush will help you remove stains to an extent.

4. Rise The Vinyl: You can not let the soapy water sit on the furniture for long. So, take another damp cloth and rinse off the vinyl surface with clean water. Wring out the soap and dirt once the towel gets dirty.

5. Air Dry Your Funiture: It is better to allow the vinyl furniture to air dry without direct sunlight or heat. After clean water wipes, patting the surface with a dry cloth is enough to remove excess water.

How To Clean Stains From Vinyl Furniture

Though soapy water is perfect for regular cleaning, it may fail to remove stubborn stains. In such a case, you have to switch to other options.

Yes, the vinyl coating gets damaged if you use harsh chemicals. But gentle and diluted cleansers can give you top-notch cleaning with zero vinyl damage. Such cleaning solutions are,

1. Baking Soda

Generally, baking soda is used as an alternative to soapy water for regular vinyl cleaning. Luckily, the soda powder also works as an excellent medium to wipe off the stains.

Start by sprinkling the baking soda on the stain and dab the mark away with a damp cloth. However, I discourage this method. The vinyl furniture is sensitive, and rubbing off the baking powder may have an abrasive impact on the surface.

Another way of removing the stubborn spots is by preparing a paste of baking soda and water. Then scrub away the stain with a soft, bristled brush.

Mix the baking soda with lemon juice for a sticky and stubborn stain and dab away the spot. The recipe will include,

• 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 3 cups of water 

In both scenes, wipe off the baking soda from the vinyl surface with a clean damp towel. 

2. Vinegar & Oil Soap

Some owners think baking soda or similar agents might ruin the vinyl surface texture. Instead, they suggest using vinegar, oil soap, and warm water. It will rub off any stains from the furniture without ruining its integrity.

3. Diluted Bleach

Bleaching powder or liquid has gained quite a name for its cleansing and sanitizing features. But at the same time, bleach poses toxicity for human health and can ruin the tile or furniture texture. Hence, you must dilute the chemical with water before use.

Mix 6% bleach in water and use the solution to remove a vinyl stain. Rinse the furniture with a damp cloth later.

Do not forget to wear rubber gloves and a mask when handling bleach.

4. Ammonia & Hydrogen Peroxide

The combination of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide can eliminate any pesky spots. To make the paste, add 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of peroxide, and 3 quarters cups of water. Next, use the paste to brush away the stain and wipe off the residue with a clean, damp cloth.

Avoid this method if you have already applied a bleaching solution to the stain. Also, wear gloves and a mask for safety.

5. Rubbing Alcohol

Well, when it comes to deep cleaning, how can you forget rubbing alcohol? Mix the isopropyl alcohol and water at a 1:1 ratio to prepare the cleansing solution. Then wipe off the stains from the vinyl, followed by a clean water rinse and dry pat.

Rubbing alcohol can damage the vinyl texture if used more frequently. So, stick to the soapy water solution as much as possible.

For persistent stains, plain alcohol, instead of rubbing alcohol, may help.

What About The Outdoor Vinyl Furniture? Do They Need Cleaning? 

Of course, your outdoor vinyl couch or chair needs a cleaning every once in a while too. But it is suggested only to use soapy water, vinegar, and baking soda as cleansers. 

The outdoor vinyl furniture is exposed to direct sunlight. So, harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia can fade the texture, reducing the durability of the furniture.

What Not To Use On Vinyl Furniture?

Vinyl upholstery can not withstand harsh chemicals or rough scrubbers. These take away the furniture’s charm, making cracks on the surface. So, you must know what not to use on the vinyl,

• Acid based cleaners
• Industrial cleaners
• Dry cleaning fluids
• Petroleum distillates
• Wax
• Silicone oil
• Concentrated detergent
• Undiluted bleach
• Steel wool
• Hard scrubbers, etc.

Vinyl Furniture Maintenance Tips And Tricks

You can easily use vinyl furniture for over 20 years. But of course, a little maintenance is necessary. For example,

1. Keep your furniture covered if it is not in use.
2. Dab away the water, ink, or any spill on the vinyl immediately. 
3. Try to limit the vinyl cleaning with only water and non-detergent soap. Any harsh chemical will make the polymer dull and reduce its durability. 
4. Regular vacuuming really helps in keeping the vinyl furniture in good shape. 
5. Mark your calendar for regular furniture cleaning, or hire a professional cleaner to clean your house perfectly (at least once every 6 weeks).

How Often Should You Clean The Vinyl Furniture?

Vacuuming the vinyl every week will keep the dirt away from the furniture. Besides, practice the surface clean-up once every month or six weeks. However, every vinyl furniture requires a deep cleaning every 3 to 6 months.

Some vinyl furniture may come with metalwork. Clean the metal parts separately to avoid corrosion attacks.

Conclusion

Getting vinyl furniture offers a variety of benefits, for example, longevity, polished texture, leather-like appearance, etc. But the best advantage of this type of home decor is the low maintenance features.

For example, only a soapy water solution is enough to regularly clean vinyl furniture. If you want to clean the couch or chair deep, gentle vinegar or bleaching solution is enough.