Making your home spotless (or at least manageable) requires several steps and a huge cleaning arsenal. But do you really need all those chemical-based cleaners? Maybe for some parts of your home, but you don’t need it for your furniture!
And since Earth Day is on Saturday (Apr. 22nd), we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to show which natural cleaners you can use on your furniture! From wood to leather, see which ingredients make surprising and refreshing cleaners that also reduce your carbon footprint!
Did You Know? The first Earth Day was established in 1970 to promote awareness for a healthier environment!
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Regardless of your preferred design style, you undoubtedly have several wood furniture pieces in every part of the house, which require careful cleaning!
Everyday Dusting Recipe
- Mix 1 cup of water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 teaspoon mineral or coconut oil, and 15 lemon drops into an empty spray bottle.
- Shake it well.
- Use it directly on any wood surface.
- Dust off with a soft cloth.
Darker-Colored Wood Recipe
- Pour ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into a spray bottle,
- Shake well!
- Spray directly on the wood or a soft cloth.
- Add 20 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil or your preferred fragrance for a fresher scent!
Wood Polish Recipe
- Pour 4 tablespoons of mineral or olive oil, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice into a spray bottle.
- Shake the mixture well.
- Spray it over the wood surface.
- Wipe clean with a dry cloth (this mixture is also helpful for regular cleaning)!
Pro Tip: Always shake mixtures with oil and water very well before use!
Upholstered Furniture
When it comes to fabric furniture, like your couch, you need to be extra careful with what you use. Most upholstered furniture comes with a discreet tag with a cleaning code, so double-check that before trying any cleaners!
Cleaning Codes
- W: it can be cleaned with water or water-based solutions.
- S: it needs to be cleaned with solvent-based cleaners.
- S/W or W/S: can be cleaned with either water-based or solvent-based cleaners.
- X: it can only be cleaned with the vacuum — no cleaners ever!
To remove odor and break up stains, sprinkle baking soda all over the fabric and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then vacuum it off with the brush attachment. But for a deeper clean, combine 2 cups of baking soda, ½ cup of cornstarch, ½ cup of cornmeal, 4 bay leaves, and 2 tablespoons of whole cloves in a food processer sprinkle the mixture on the fabric and let it sit overnight. The next day you can vacuum it up!
Pro Tip: Always test cleaners on a small portion of the fabric to see if it’ll cause any damage! And don’t forget to brush the fabric off with a towel, brush, or vacuum to remove crumbs and dried-on spots first!
Leather Furniture
If you have genuine leather furniture, you first need to vacuum it thoroughly and get into all the nooks and crannies. After that, you can use these natural cleaners to make it shine!
Regular Cleaning
- Mix ¼ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar, and 10 to 20 drops of essential oil (your choice) in a small bowl.
- Grab a soft, microfiber cloth to gently wipe the leather in circular motions and rinse the cloth as needed — make sure you don’t saturate the leather!
- Let the solution sit for 30 minutes, and wipe it clean with a separate dry cloth.
Stain Removal
- For stubborn stains, make a paste of one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar and leave it on the stain for 10 minutes. Then rub it off with a damp sponge!
Faux Leather Furniture
Cleaning is much simpler for faux leather, like vegan and polyurethane options: you only need warm water! Just wet a microfiber cloth with cool or warm water, squeeze out the excess water so the cloth is only damp, and lightly wipe it down.
Remember, never use hot water, as it can cause faux leather to warp or melt!
Cleaning Greener!
There you have it, natural cleaners you can use for all the furniture in your home — no more relying on chemicals! But if even the deepest clean doesn’t refresh your furniture, it’s time to upgrade at Alton Refrigeration & Home Furnishings! We have plenty of in-stock options we can deliver to you quickly!
Have any questions? Give our team a call or stop by! We’re always happy to hear from you!