Quick DIY Tutorial: How To Clean Fabric Dining Room Chairs At Home

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Wahid

You have stained fabric seats. Are they forever ruined? Not at all. Are you worried about how to clean fabric dining room chairs? Cleaning them at home can be done without hiring professional cleaners.

Actually, Regular cleaning not only preserves the fabric’s appearance and texture but also helps in eliminating allergens and bacteria that can accumulate over time, especially in the fabric upholstery. The task of “how to clean fabric dining room chairs” may seem daunting at first, but with the right techniques and knowledge, it becomes a manageable and even rewarding part of home maintenance.

In this guide, we’ll examine the types of fabrics and their specific cleaning needs, as well as common stains and preventive measures for keeping your chairs looking great. As part of our comprehensive approach to keeping your dining room chairs in pristine condition, our team strives to provide comprehensive care for your furniture.

Table of Contents

Codes For Cleaning Manufacturers’ Products: You Should Know

Manufacturers don’t always give you a clue about the type of cleaning your dining chairs will require. Stains caused by accidents exist, as are the accidents themselves. You can avoid them permanently if you take the right steps at the right time.

This is why they provide cleaning item codes so you know which products to keep available for cleaning the chairs. Here are the codes decorated;

Solvent (S)

In case it’s “S,” you should need cleaning products that are solvent-based. Basically, Solvent (S) that doesn’t contain any water, such as dry cleaning solutions.

Water (W)

Once you see the letter “W,” make sure you’re using a water-based cleaning product.

Solvent or Water (SW)

A water-based or solvent-based cleaning product can be used to clean this kind of fabric. Generally, Solvent or Water (SW) is less stressful than the other kind.

How To Clean Fabric Dining Room Chairs: Preparation Before Cleaning

When preparing to clean fabric dining room chairs, it’s crucial to understand the type of fabric and the corresponding cleaning codes to avoid any damage.

Before using any cleaner, it’s important to determine the fabric type and use a cleaner that’s appropriate for it.
If unsure, test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first.
For common stains, you might use items like vinegar, dish soap, club soda, or baking soda after identifying the stain and cleaning code.
Home remedies such as a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide can also be effective for certain types of upholstery.
However, one should always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines or test these solutions in an unseen spot first to ensure they don’t cause damage.

Always refer to the cleaning care tags or manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidance on cleaning your particular dining room chairs. This approach ensures the longevity and appearance of your furniture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid To Clean Fabric Dining Room Chairs

When cleaning fabric dining room chairs, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that could lead to damage or ineffective cleaning. Here are some key points to consider when go on how to clean fabric dining room chairs:

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use bleach, ammonia, stronger acids, alkalis, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage upholstery fabrics.
Vacuum Regularly: Dust and dirt can cause fabric to wear prematurely. Vacuum with a “Vacuum Cleaner” at least once a week with an upholstery attachment to prevent dirt from settling.
Protect from Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade fabric colors. Draw blinds or curtains in bright areas when not in use.
Immediate Action on Spills: Treat spills quickly to prevent stains from setting. Blot gently and work inward to avoid spreading the stain.
Check Cleaning Codes: Use cleaning products based on the manufacturer’s cleaning codes, such as “S” for solvent cleaners or “W” for water-based cleaners.
Professional Cleaning: To maintain quality, have the chairs professionally cleaned at least twice a year, and always spot-test any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area first.
Dry Cleaning: Only opt for dry cleaning if the fabric care guide specifically states it, and ensure that dry cleaners follow the fabric instructions.

For specific stains like coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, chocolate, and others, detailed methods involve combinations of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, glycerine, and liquid detergents that can be effective when used correctly. Always follow the fabric care guide and consider professional advice for the best results.

How To Clean Fabric Dining Chairs Yourself [8 Easy Steps]

In this blog post, I’ll show you steps to clean dining chairs so that when you have guests over, everything looks perfect. No matter what kind of dining chairs you have, upholstered dining chairs, armchairs, or wooden dining chairs, the tips below will help you.

Fabric Dining Chair Cleaning Ingredients:

Microfiber Cloth
Liquid Dish Soap
Hydrogen Peroxide
A Dark Spray Bottle
A Bowl
Hot Water
Steam Cleaner
Steam Cleaning Tool

Why not just provide furniture cleaning instructions? However, fabric dining chairs come without guidelines. So, will it not be cleaned? No way!

It requires professional attention to clean this kind of furniture as average users don’t know how to do it properly. All you have to do today is follow these simple steps to get out of that circle.

Step–1: Determine Which Type Of Fabric You Need

Fabrics vary widely across furniture, and there’s no denying that.
Because I don’t know what fabric is on your dining chairs, you should figure out what needs the fabric serves first.
Depending on the fabric, there are different ways of cleaning and taking care of it.
When dealing with this type of fabric for the first time, check the tag for cleaning instructions.
Alternatively, if you don’t see one, take a small piece of fabric & run the cleaner over it.
Using this method, you can confirm whether your cleaner is working or not.

Step–2: Remove Loose Dirt By Vacuuming

Regardless of the fabric or the way you use the chair, loose dirt will inevitably accumulate.
The worst thing about having these everywhere is that they might leave behind new stains that aren’t always easily removed.
Vacuuming the chair thoroughly is the most effective way to remove loose dirt.
Regular vacuuming will help protect the chair from stains for a long time.

Step–3: Mixing Or Making Your Solution

For leather or vinyl upholstery, you could have just used furniture polish. In the case of fabric chairs, it’s better to use your DIY methods to clean them. The question now is, can we find a solution that actually works?

Unless your chair reacts to a water solution, then you should try making one yourself.
The only things you need are water or club soda, white vinegar, and natural soap for dishes.
Start by taking one cup of water. Club soda can also be used if you prefer.
In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup of white vinegar.
Then, add ½ tablespoon of liquid dish soap to finish the solution.

Step–4: Spraying & Blotting

Following the mixing of the solution, pour the solution into the spray bottle.
After that, the solution should be sprayed onto a clean towel.
It is important not to spray too much solution over the stains you wish to clean.
Begin blotting the stain with a towel once it is placed on the stain.

Step–5: Avoid Harsh Chemicals For Fabric Dining Chairs

Also, avoid the use of harsh chemicals on your fabric dining chairs, like ammonia, bleach, or abrasives.
Various chemical substances are responsible for fading or breaking down fabrics and destroying foam cushions.
Furthermore, harsh chemicals are also bad for you.
The substances they contain can be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and respiratory irritants.
You should, instead, use warm water & soap to clean your dining chairs so they won’t be damaged.

Step–6: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

If you don’t want to use a water solution to clean your chair, hydrogen peroxide can be used instead.
It works best if you first apply it to a towel and then blot the stain.
To obtain the best results, it would be best to use microfiber.
Before using it on an entire chair’s upholstery, test it on a small area first.

Step-7: Remove Harsh Stains From Chairs

If you’ve got a stain that won’t come out after vacuuming, you’ll have to figure out how to get the stain out of your dining chairs.

To begin, use a paper towel or rag to dry the area.
Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid soap with 3 cups of hot water in a suitable container, like a spray bottle or bowl.
After spraying the mixture on the stain, let it sit for at least a few minutes.
After blotting with a cloth or paper towel, make sure the stain has disappeared.
To absorb any residual moisture, wet a paper towel or dry cloth and rinse thoroughly under cool running water.
Before using the chair again, wipe it dry again.

Step-8: Use The Steamer For A Deeper Clean

A plain towel won’t always be sufficient to ensure thorough cleaning.
It’s time for something faster and more effective.
In other words, we’re going to use a steamer.
Once you’ve steamed it properly, ensure you let it completely dry before you sit down again in it.
Additionally, the chair might be trapped in moisture, and that would not be a good thing.

1st Bonus Tip

When it comes to cleaning dinner chair cushions, there are a few things that need to be considered.
To clean fabric-covered seams properly, vacuum or blow off loose dust from the material before scrubbing them with soapy suds.
There is usually a lot of dirt, dust, and grime trapped in the seams of cushions, thus; be sure to wash them thoroughly after cleaning.

2nd Bonus Tip

The right amount of soap and water should be used when cleaning upholstery.
Rather than using a vacuum, use a sponge along with a multipurpose cleaner.
The cleaning solution should always be tested first in a small area before using it in a large area (particularly if the items are fragile).

How To Conserve Fabric Upholstery?

If you’re reckless with your chairs, cleaning them will be more difficult. Thus, preserving the fabric upholstery properly will minimize your hassles. So, how do you plan on doing that? Several ways can be used, including:

Regular Vacuuming

Getting dust and dirt on fabrics makes them wear out more quickly. Keep your dining room chairs clean and bright by vacuuming their upholstery once a week. Because of this, dust and crumbs cannot penetrate the fabric as well as the furniture body. Modern vacuum cleaners feature upholstery attachments ideal for cleaning the furniture. The use of vacuum cleaners helps prevent the spread of allergens like dust mites in the home.

Avoid Excessive Sunlight

Just like any fabric, colors will fade over time if they are repeatedly exposed to direct sunlight. As in conservatory dining areas that are likely to be exposed to strong sunlight, curtains or blinds should be drawn away when not being used.

Professional Cleaning

Investing in high quality furniture is worthwhile – to extend the lifetime of the upholstered dining/kitchen room chairs, you should have them professionally cleaned twice annually. A chair’s fabric type will determine what kind of professional cleaning method will be used. There are a number of professional cleaners available, but make sure you hire a trustworthy company. Make sure you test a small section of fabric in an inconspicuous area to ensure that the cleaning solution isn’t too harsh or damaging.

Using The Wrong Cleaning Products

Fabric dining chairs should be cleaned by a professional; however, in emergency situations, such as spillages, products can be used. Fabric upholstery should never be cleaned with harsh cleaning products. Some examples are given below:

Ammonia
Bleach
Alkalis
Stronger Acids
Abrasive Cleaning Products (Cream Cleaners)
Dry Cleaning

It is only recommended to dry clean when it is explicitly stated in the fabric cleaning instructions. Dry cleaners should follow the instructions specified on the fabric.

Choosing The Right Cleaning Product For Fabric Chairs

It is possible to use products that you currently have in your cupboard, but some specialized products are worth trying. Stains can be removed from fabric chairs with some cleaners out there.

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder

The multi-purpose stain remover is suitable for removing stains from fabrics, tiles, rugs, and most importantly, upholstery. Whenever you need to deep clean your fabric chairs, try OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder products.

OxiClean can eliminate grass, blood, grease, wine, food, and ink stains, among others. In addition to cleaning your chairs, it will make them look brighter, restoring their original color.

Expert Tip

To ensure your fabric won’t be damaged or stained by OxiClean, always test a small area first.

Chemical Guys Fabric Cleaner

Designed for fabric chairs, upholstery, outdoor furniture, and carpets — Chemical Guys Fabric Cleaner product uses biotechnology. The process does not involve toxic or harsh chemicals, nor does it require extensive physical labor. You can remove even the toughest stains with this easy-to-use cleaner.

Therefore, whether it’s food stains, sweat stains, drinks stains, or more, this cleaner will restore your dining chairs, office chairs, and couches.

Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator

Try this Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator product if your seats are stained and smelly. A wide variety of stains can be removed, including feces, pet urine, and vomit, in addition to lingering smells.

In case you have kids & pets, or your fabric chairs look unattractive, this cleaner will make them look like new.

As a bonus, the seller also guarantees 100% satisfaction, which means you can get a complete refund if you’re unhappy.

Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Stain Remover

A 4x action formula on your seat will eliminate odors, clean, and protect your seat while refreshing your upholstery. The product can lift difficult stains, such as pet mishaps & vomit. Finally, after neutralizing the odors, your fabric seats will look brand new.

Your carpets and fabric furniture can both benefit from this Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Stain Remover treatment. No dilution is required when using the bottles.

FAQs

Q-1: How can I remove old stains from my fabric dining room chairs?

Answer: Old stains can be challenging. First, identify the type of stain and the fabric’s cleaning code. For water-soluble stains, a mixture of dish soap and water can be effective. Gently dab the stain with the solution and blot with a clean cloth. For tougher stains, a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water may work. Always test any solution on a hidden area first.

Q-2: Is it safe to use a carpet cleaner on my fabric dining room chairs?

Answer: It’s not generally recommended to use a carpet cleaner on fabric dining chairs as these cleaners may be too harsh for delicate upholstery fabrics. Always check the cleaning code and manufacturer’s recommendations before using any cleaning product.

Q-3: What methods help maintain the color of my fabric dining room chairs while cleaning?

Answer: To maintain color, avoid harsh chemicals and excessive rubbing. Use gentle, upholstery-friendly cleaners and always test them on a hidden area first. Additionally, avoid direct sunlight on the chairs, as it can fade the fabric over time.

Q-4: What are the best homemade solutions for cleaning fabric dining room chairs?

Answer: A popular homemade solution is a mix of warm water and mild dish soap. For a more robust cleaner, combine vinegar and baking soda. These solutions are effective for general cleaning and light stain removal but should be used cautiously, considering the fabric type and cleaning codes.

Q-5: How often should I clean my fabric dining room chairs to maintain their appearance?

Answer: Regular maintenance like vacuuming should be done weekly. Spot cleaning should be done as needed, and a deeper clean can be done every few months or as required, depending on usage and exposure to dirt.

Q-6: Can I use a steam cleaner on my fabric dining room chairs, and if so, how?

Answer: A steam cleaner can be used if the fabric is water-safe (check the cleaning code). It’s effective for sanitizing and removing deep-seated dirt. Always hold the steam cleaner at a sufficient distance to avoid saturating the fabric and use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Q-7: What are the most effective ways to protect my fabric dining room chairs from stains and spills?

Answer: Applying a fabric protector spray is an effective way to guard against stains and spills. Regularly vacuuming the chairs and addressing spills immediately also help in maintaining the fabric.

Q-8: How do I identify and interpret the cleaning codes on my fabric dining room chairs?

Answer: Cleaning codes are usually found on tags under the seat or on the underside of the chair. “W” indicates water-based cleaners can be used, “S” signifies solvent-based cleaners, and “WS” means both types are safe. “X” means vacuum or brush only.

Q-9: What are common cleaning mistakes to avoid when cleaning fabric dining room chairs?

Answer: Avoid using too much water, which can lead to mold or mildew. Don’t use harsh chemicals or bleach, and avoid scrubbing aggressively, as this can damage the fabric. Always adhere to the specified cleaning codes.

Q-10: Are there specific fabric protectors recommended for dining room chairs, and how should they be applied?

Answer: Fabric protectors like “Scotchgard” and “303 Spray Products” are popular. Before applying, clean the chair thoroughly and ensure it’s dry. Spray evenly across the fabric from a safe distance, allowing it to dry completely. Reapply as directed, typically after each deep clean or annually.

Sit Back & Relax

I believe your worry is over now about how to clean fabric dining room chairs. With this guide, you can eliminate unsightly stains from your fabric dining room chairs. You can clean your chairs in a variety of ways, so you can get started right away.

Whatever method you choose – dish soap, steam cleaner, OxiClean, baking soda – clean chairs are yours to enjoy. To prevent stains from damaging your chair, be sure to follow maintenance tips as well.