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Containing only 4 natural, non-toxic ingredients, and suitable to be used on various types of upholstery, youโ€™re sure to love this upholstery cleaner DIY. Full instructions are included in the post!

A bottle of upholstery cleaner DIY.
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It can be unsettling to learn about the amount of dirt and grime that accumulates on upholstery and fabrics – but think about it.

How much use do your couch or chairs get at home? Probably everyday use, Iโ€™d say. 

Kids constantly climb on ours with their dirty shoes, and combined with constant use, our upholstery requires regular clean-ups.

This is why I developed my own version of a DIY upholstery cleaner. There are no unnecessary ingredients, just gentle, natural cleaning. 

In this post, youโ€™ll find the recipe for my upholstery cleaner DIY, which is safe for most fabrics and does an excellent job at cleaning upholstery. 

Iโ€™ll also share information on how to use it and some troubleshooting. 

This homemade cleaner for upholstery is also environmentally friendly and doesnโ€™t give off toxic fumes, so itโ€™s great to use around children and pets. 

Wiping upholstery with a cloth.

DIY upholstery cleaning

There are tons of cleaning products out there that you can buy, so why make your own?

Well, itโ€™s a matter of choice and of being aware of what harmful ingredients can be in certain store-bought cleaners. 

You just need to look at labels on bottles, and anything that says โ€˜Hazardous to pets and wildlifeโ€™ or similar is something to avoid at all costs. 

Particularly with cleaning upholstery – remember youโ€™re cleaning something you sit on or perhaps even lie on if youโ€™re cleaning your mattress or couch. 

So, surely youโ€™d not want to breathe in harmful chemicals? This is why I always advocate for natural cleaning products, such as my homemade window cleaner

Theyโ€™re safer, healthier, and smell nicer too! And theyโ€™re just as good (if not better) at removing stubborn grime marks and lifting dirt. 

Wiping upholstery with a sponge.

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how to make upholstery cleaner

My homemade upholstery cleaner contains just 4 ingredients, so itโ€™s super easy to make. First, youโ€™ll need a glass spray bottle and a trigger to spritz it onto a microfiber cloth or brush. 

I also use a vacuum cleaner when working with upholstery, as you want to remove the dirt and grime, not simply rub it in. 

Iโ€™ll explain my upholstery cleaning process in detail in the next section, but here is the recipe to start off.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle
  • Vacuum upholstery well
  • Mist with the spray and let it sit for 5 minutes to loosen up dirt and grime.
  • Scrub loose with a brush or microfiber cloth. I use an old kitchen scrub brush.
  • Finally, vacuum the upholstery clean to finish.

How to use upholstery cleaner DIY (a handy trick)

The best trick I know of is to wrap a microfiber cloth around a stove pan lid and mist the cleaner onto the clothnot the upholstery. 

Then simply work in a circular motion, rubbing the pan lid and cloth over the upholstery. 

This gives a really gentle but even clean without damp spots or adding too much cleaner at any one time. 

Also, donโ€™t neglect your vacuum! Itโ€™s genuinely needed to clean upholstery – particularly that pre-clean vacuum to remove loose dirt. 

If you donโ€™t do a pre-clean vacuum, you risk making your upholstery dirtier, not cleaner (which is not what we want!)

For visible grime, itโ€™s good to use a soft bristle brush to help lift it – then again, grab the vacuum and remove it, after which you can use the DIY upholstery cleaner. 

Of course, there will be dirt that requires more soaking, but my preference is always to use as little cleaner as possible on upholstery.

In my opinion, water stain marks are the worst thing, so donโ€™t add too much cleaner at once – and always do a spot test first!

Once you are done, lightly mist your upholstery with this DIY linen spray to freshen up the scent!

Vacuuming upholstery with a homemade cleaner.

tips

Itโ€™s important to understand that this DIY upholstery cleaner is more of a light cleaner. Therefore, itโ€™s not great for stubborn stains which are deeply set into the fabric. 

If youโ€™re looking for a natural stain remover recipe, do check out this post.

And for cleaning leather upholstery, I have a separate post here. I would personally avoid using this DIY upholstery cleaner on any type of leather. 

For dirt or odors that require more than the typical light clean, try sprinkling a spoonful of baking soda over the upholstery to absorb any odors before cleaning.

precautions

As always with any cleaning product on upholstery, test a small hidden area for colorfastness (the side of the back of the couch, for example) where you wonโ€™t see it if, for whatever reason, the cleaner takes some color off (which of course, we hope wonโ€™t happen – but best be safe!)

I also suggest checking the care tag before cleaning the upholstery. This usually gives good indicators as to whether this type of homemade upholstery cleaner would be suitable.

And be sure to follow my tips before beginning the cleaning of your upholstery. Being prepared is key here – so always do that spot check first and donโ€™t rush the process. 

Youโ€™ll see how to freshen up upholstery in no time – so long as you follow the instructions!

A bottle of upholstery cleaner DIY.

Why you will love this recipe

The non-toxic ingredients are what makes this recipe so good – knowing youโ€™re using safe cleaning methods in your home is very empowering. 

Itโ€™s also great for teaching kids about safety when it comes to cleaning. 

Their lungs are super precious, and I wouldn’t say I like the idea of them breathing in nasty things, which is why I donโ€™t use toxin-filled products anywhere in my home. 

And what about cost savings? Interestingly, some conventional upholstery cleaners can be quite expensive! 

But this recipe uses only 4 ingredients which will last multiple uses, meaning you invest upfront, and itโ€™ll last a long time.

It also smells lush, being scented with essential oils, and that lingers for a good time on upholstery!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe. If you did, thank you for reading, and may I suggest one of these next? 

5 from 5 votes

Upholstery Cleaner DIY

Prep: 5 minutes
Active: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 ounces
Containing only 4 natural, non-toxic ingredients, and suitable to be used on various types of upholstery, you're sure to love this upholstery cleaner DIY.

Equipment

  • 16 oz glass spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle
  • Vacuum upholstery
  • Mist with the spray and let it sit for 5 minutes to loosen up the dirt and grime.
  • Scrub loose with a brush or microfiber cloth. I use an old soft bristle kitchen scrub brush.
  • Finally, vacuum the upholstery clean.

Notes

You can store the spray in a cabinet for several months.
Use as often as needed!
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Tammy says:

    Hi, coming from the UK, I’ve no idea what sal suds are? Could you let me know
    Thanks. Fab site, full of brilliant ideas.

    1. Laura says:

      It is similar to castile soap.