{"id":606188,"date":"2025-09-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rugdoctor.com\/cleaning-tips\/\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T10:03:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:03:09","slug":"how-to-clean-thrifted-upholstery-and-rugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rugdoctor.com\/cleaning-tips\/how-to-clean-thrifted-upholstery-and-rugs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean Thrifted Upholstery and Rugs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We love scoring great deals on home d\u00e9cor and cleaning essentials! Garage sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces are excellent sources for finding second-hand furniture and rugs at a bargain. While some sellers clean these items before donating or listing them, it’s hard to know what might be lurking beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renting a carpet cleaning machine is an affordable way to ensure your secondhand finds are fresh and ready for your space. And while you have the machine, why not deep clean your existing carpets and other fabric-covered items around the house? It\u2019s a simple way to refresh your home and give your d\u00e9cor a clean start!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Clean Second-Hand Upholstery Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Check The Manufacturer\u2019s Tag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before cleaning, check the manufacturer\u2019s tag for specific instructions. Upholstery usually has a manufacturer\u2019s cleanability code tag. If the fabric is coded \u201cWS\u201d or \u201cW,\u201d it\u2019s safe to clean with water. If coded \u201cX\u201d or \u201cS,\u201d that type of fabric is unsafe to clean. Once you\u2019ve determined it\u2019s okay to be cleaned, always test a small hidden area of fabric on the furniture you plan to clean for colorfastness. You are ready to proceed once you\u2019ve tested that the upholstery color won\u2019t be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove everything from the furniture that can come off: throw pillows, blankets, remote controls, toys and everything else. Most blankets can be washed in the washing machine, and in some cases, so can pillow covers. You\u2019ll want to double-check the tags on these to ensure you wash them correctly. Contact the manufacturer for washing instructions if you don\u2019t see a tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, focus on the cushions. For couches where these can be removed, they should, but they can\u2019t just be thrown in the washing machine. That\u2019s where Rug Doctor\u00ae by BISSELL\u00ae rental machines come in handy. Rent one of our Upright Carpet Cleaners and add on the Upholstery Tool. You\u2019ll be cleaning upholstery like a professional for a fraction of the price. Machine rentals are available for $39.99 for 24-hr or $49.99 for 48-hr*. The Upholstery Tool rental is an additional $5.99 for 24- or 48-hr rentals. *Pricing and 48-hr availability may vary by location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Vacuum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use your vacuum\u2019s attachments to remove hair and loose dirt from all surfaces. Remember to get into the crevices where crumbs (and who knows what else) always fall. Now that the dry debris is removed let\u2019s give your couch and chairs a good, deep clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Pre-Treat Stains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you prepare your rental upholstery cleaner, look at your furniture and assess any glaring stains on the upholstery that need a little extra attention. Tackle those stains by pretreating them with one of our specially developed spot and pre-treat solutions. We love the enzyme power of our Pet Urine Eliminator spray if you have old pet stains or odd odors.  It removes tough pet stains and eliminators odors at the source. Our Oxy cleaners have the power of oxygen behind them and work great on colored stains, like spilled drinks and food.  They start working as soon as they make contact with stains to remove them. Spot and Stain Removers can be purchased from the rental display where you pick up the rental machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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