5 Ways to Remove Pet Hair from Quilts and Upholstery

If you have furrbabies of any type, they're no doubt experts at scattering hair throughout the house, and the more pets you share a home with, the more hair (and dander) they leave behind.

Your first line of defense against an invasion of hair-packed dust bunnies is a vacuum (with filter) that can suck up the mess before it takes up residence throughout your home. We have a Dyson vacuum designed for animal owners, and feel it's a top performer, but many other brands offer similar models.

When It's Possible to Wash

• Green washing products are excellent for hair and dander removal from quilts, bedding, and anything else that can be thrown into the wash It's easy to make your own laundry soaps that remove odors, soil, and hair.
• Adding a bit of washing soda to the cycle seems to help the hair slide off.
• Don't over-pack the tub, and be sure to use an 'extra water' setting if available.
• Removing as much hair as possible before throwing items into the wash helps, too.

The majority of my quilts are used, either by my family or by people they were gifted to, but I do have heirloom quilts that are stored away safely, and protected from invading pet hair.

But even when we don't allow pets in some areas of the house, our clothes and shoes can act as a handy hair-transportation system, taking those little wisps from one room to the next. All of us who have pets (with hair) had best be ready to deal with shedding on our (regularly used) quilts and other 'sticky' surfaces. The inexpensive tools below can help.

1.  Pet Hair Lifter Sponge

This simple yellow sponge is probably my favorite hair picker-upper. It's more dense (and a bit heavier) than a typical sponge, and grabs pretty much all hair in its path when you slide it across a quilt or other surface. The soft sponge won't harm fabrics, and its low cost makes it easy to keep a few on hand all all times.

Don't have a special sponge? Make a pad from cloth-like paper towels and dampen slightly -- not soaking wet, just a bit damp. Swipe the fabric and watch the paper towels grab the hair. Dry paper towels work, too.

Do make sure to use a brand that won't fall apart.

2.  Furminator Deshedding Tools Aren't Just for Pets

Furminator makes a huge variety of deshedding tools that remove loose hair from your pet before it lands on the floor or sticks to everything in sight.

I wouldn't necessarily drag a prickly-edged Furminator across a quilt, but have found that they perform nicely when (carefully) used to remove hair from some types of (sturdy) upholstered items.

3.  Pet Hair Mitts and Gloves

Shop for hair removal gloves and you'll find all sorts of gentle products that are primarily designed to groom shorter-haired cats and dogs. They provide a wonderful hair-removing massage when dry, and a nice scrub during a bath. Our little tuxedo kitty, Scout, the best purrer in the house, was blessed with a thick undercoat -- she loved to be brushed with a mitt.

My favorite version is truly a glove, with short 'dots' on the brushing side that grab loose hairs. Another is a palm-sized tool with longer rubber 'spikes.'

Most types work nicely to remove hair from upholstery, too, and are soft enough to use on cotton fabrics. Sure, hair may not all stick to the nubbies, but most of it is pushed into one area, where it's easy to pick up with damp paper towels or another product.

4.  Pet Hair Magnet

The Pet Hair Magnet is a squeegee with a rubber lip that can be pulled across both soft and hard surfaces. Hair is captured by the strip and can be removed at the end of each pass.

The special pet version is a nice size -- not too unwieldy, with an easy-to-grip-handle -- but I suspect a regular shower or window-washing squeegee would work, too.

5.  Scotch Fur Fighter

Scotch's Fur Fighter is one product that I haven't used personally, but I have read enough positive reviews to put it on my 'must try' list. The manufacturer (3M) says the tool will remove 'embedded hair that vacuums miss.'

3M also makes typical sticky-based lint rollers, something we all usually keep on hand for a quick pass on our clothes before being seen in public (it's either that, or color code your wardrobe to match the hair -- gray works for me).

How Can I Tell If My Upholstered Slipcovers and Cushion Covers Can Be Washed?

Answer: Manufacturers are becoming more aware of the convenience of being able to remove the cushion cover on your couch and toss it into the washing machine. Subsequently many machine washable upholstery items do exist. But there are still plenty of removable upholstery items that should be dry cleaned, or handled by a professional.

To be allowed in the washing machine, upholstery fabrics have to pass 2 tests. They must be pre-shrunk and they must be colorfast.

To find out if your upholstery is pre-shrunk, the best place to look is a manufacturer's tag. If your upholstery is not pre-shrunk, washing in the washing machine will shrink the fabric and make it difficult to impossible to have the item fit back where it belongs.

To find out if your upholstery is colorfast, take a damp white cloth and rub it on the upholstered surface. If color comes off onto the cloth, the upholstery is likely not colorfast and a professional will need to handle the cleaning of your furniture.

Natural Fabric Deodorizers for Used Upholstery, Rugs, and Textiles

When you buy used upholstery, rugs, and textiles from flea markets and yard sales, you inevitably inherit other people's odors -- smoke, food, body, and pet odors. And with antique and vintage pieces, a musty smell is almost a given. Before you buy a commercial product full of heavy perfume, try these natural fabric deodorizers to remove musty smells and other odors:

1. Vodka:

In addition to being a natural deodorizer, vodka kills bacteria. Fill a spray bottle with the cheap stuff, and use it straight. You won't smell the alcohol once it dries.

• For rugs, intact upholstery, draperies, and other textiles, spray liberally with the vodka and let dry.

• For upholstery you plan to reupholster, first remove the original fabric. Next, spray the stuffing and foam liberally. Be sure it's completely dry before attaching the new fabric.

2. Baking Soda:

Baking soda is a household miracle product. It's completely nontoxic and absorbs odors marvelously.

• For rugs and intact upholstery, sprinkle generously with baking soda and leave for 24 hours before vacuuming.

• For upholstery you plan to reupholster, remove the original fabric, and then sprinkle the stuffing and foam. Leave for 24 hours. Vacuum carefully, so you don't accidentally destroy the stuffing.

3. Coffee Grounds:

Coffee grounds both absorb and mask odors, perfect for the really stinky pieces. You have to use fresh, unused grounds. This is one case where recycling is bad.

• For rugs, sprinkle generously with coffee grounds. Wait 24 hours before vacuuming.

• For intact upholstery, sprinkle coffee grounds and leave for 24 hours before vacuuming. Additionally, tuck coffee ground filled sachets under and behind loose cushions, and in all crevices. You can use individual serving coffee bags, the thin ones that look like tea bags, or save money by tying loose grounds into cheesecloth, old stockings, or medical gauze. Leave these in place after you've vacuumed up the loose grounds.

• For upholstery you plan to reupholster, follow the above instructions for loose and encased coffee grounds, but use caution when vacuuming so you don't damage the stuffing. Leave the coffee bags or sachets as long as possible, but remove them before attaching the new fabric.

As with all products and remedies, test these methods on an inconspicuous spot before applying to the entire item.

4 Tips for Choosing the Best Upholstery Fabric for You

Some aspects of choosing upholstery fabric might seem pretty obvious such as selecting a color, the single biggest factor in fabric selection, or how it feels to touch. However, since it's always good to take your own special needs into account, here are some other factors you might want to consider.

Fabric Durability

Sometimes durability is an issue and sometimes it isn't. Every home is different, and often even rooms within the same home can have different requirements.

Choose a fabric based on who will be using your sofa. If your pets will also be sharing your sofa with you, consider a microfiber fabric or leather as these can withstand heavy use.But your fabric selection should reflect those requirements.

• Consider fabric durability if your sofa will be placed in a high-traffic area of the home.
• Woven patterns hold up longer than printed ones, as do higher thread counts and tight weaves. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric, and denser fabric lasts longer.

Fabric Style

Each fabric has its own style so choose one that will look good not only in your home, but also on the sofa you are choosing.

• Your fabric choice should approximate the style and character of the piece it is covering. For example, a traditional fabric would look better on a traditional style of frame. That said if you have an adventurous sense of style and know how to merge two very different ones together, go for it.
• Some fabrics appear casual, while others might look more formal. Choose a fabric that echoes your own style or theme that you have established throughout the home.

• 
  Fabric ColorConsider the scale of the pattern. It should be appropriate to the size of the furniture it is covering, as well as the room size. A large bold, pattern might work better in a larger room, while a more muted or smaller one might be a better choice for a smaller space.

Often we choose color before making any other choices regarding a sofa fabric. Maybe it is because it makes the strongest impact and is the first thing we see when making a selection.

• Color is the single most important reason people choose a fabric, so make sure your color choice is one you can live with happily for a long time. For instance, it may be best to avoid a very bold color for a smaller room, especially if your sofa is also large.
• Avoid delicately colored fabrics around children and pets.
• To strike the right mood, consider the color temperature. Since warm and cool colors affect the mood of the room, make sure you’re choosing the right fabric for the right mood.
• Avoid trendy colors, unless you happen to really like them. Color trends come and go so be careful. What if you don't consider eggplant attractive in the first place? Will you be able to live with a color even when its popularity wanes?

Special Considerations

There are some other factors that you should consider before you make a selection. And these have to do with the environment in which you'll be placing your couch. Does your room get a lot of sun, or is there any dampness? Are there pets who share the furniture with you? Does anyone suffer from allergies?

• Fade Resistance: Consider if your fabric is fade resistant especially if it will be placed in a room that gets plenty of sunlight, or will be placed close to a window.
• Mildew Resistance: Look for fabric that is mildew resistant if you live in a humid climate that fosters mildew.
• Allergies: Consider fabric such as microfiber for certain allergies because it is lint free and does not attract dust.
• Pets: If you have pets avoid using delicate fabric such as silk, or any fabric with lots of texture. Select pet-friendly upholstery instead.

Choosing the Best Sofa Upholstery

A new sofa or chair can be a major investment for many families. If that is true of your family, you may be worried that no upholstery will stand up to the tornado that is your son or daughter. Never fear! Here are some tips on upholstery fabric that will guide you to the right choice for your family.

• Durability. Fabrics with a higher thread count (the number of threads per square inch) and a tighter weave are more durable that those with looser weaves. They will stand up the hard abuse that your family dishes out!

• Cleaning. Fabrics made of natural fibers will absorb stains more quickly than man-made fabrics, but they will clean up better. Fabrics made with man-made fibers are soil-resistant but don’t clean up as well (those popsicle stains may be difficult to remove!)Look st the fabric tag: the tag should say S for solvent cleaning, W for water-based cleaning and S-W if both can be used.
• Wear. Highly-textured fabrics, such as tweeds, can fray easily when they get excessive use. The fabrics which stand up best to fraying are flat weaves such as cottons or jacquards.
• Stains. Light colors show soil, while dark colors show debris and dirt. Why not try a medium color with a pattern? Patterns can hide a multitude of forgotten chocolate chips!

Remember after you bring that new sofa or chair home, rotate the cushions every month and vacuum them regularly. It will add years to the life of your sofa. And most of all, enjoy!

Selecting the Best Upholstery for Cat and Dog Owners

Selecting the best upholsterywhen you own cats or dogs can be a little complicated. While you may have your own preferences, you know that your prized sofa is at the mercy of your beloved cat or dog. Even when not trying to destroy your upholstery willfully, simply by climbing, sitting or walking on it your pet can exact a heavy toll. As a cat owner I can certainly attest to that. Here are some problems you might have to contend with:

• Claw marks and scratches.
• Pet hair clinging to the upholstery.
• Dirt marks.
  While you should consider training your pet to behave, as Franny Syufy your guide to catsshows here, why not also make it easier on yourself by selecting upholstery that is more pet-friendly? Here are two choices that have worked well in my experience.

  Leather

  Leather can stand up to most pets. I've even noticed that some pets don't care too much for sitting or sleeping on it. Even when they do climb on it, it is easily cleaned and pet hair doesn't cling to it. Your pet might leave holes in it but they are usually not very noticeable.

  Microfiber

  Microfiber, a synthetic fabric, is also a good choice, simply because it is easy to maintain and wears well. Your cat's claws won't get caught in it, as there are no loops in the fabric. Microfiber is also easy to clean for stains, and is not a hair magnet.
  A patterned fabric might work better than a solid, but I would not recommend buying any fabric that is nubby or heavily textured, as your pet's claws can easily get caught in it. Besides, it might be too much fun to scratch. Avoid fragile fabrics, such as silk, wool or linen.

7 Tips for Maintaining Upholstered Furniture

The best thing about maintaining upholstered furniture? It is easy to do it, and it does not take much time. The result? You get to have a great looking sofa year after year.

Choose the Right Fabric

Give yourself an advantage when you buy right. Choose the right fabric for the right place and you make your upholstery maintenance task easier. Not only that, but choosing fabric that is appropriate for your lifestyle and the upholstered piece can extend the furniture's life.

For example, synthetic fibers are a better choice for upholstered furniture that sits in areas of heavy usage. If you have pets, choose fabrics that do not have loose weaves or too much texture.

Protect Your Fabric

The best form of fabric protection is prompt attention to spills. A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory. where it is usually treated with soil and/or water repellents. Some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors may also be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home.

While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Don't let it give you a false sense of security. Always clean up any spills or stains in a timely manner, and follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper care methods.

Turn the Cushions

You can extend your upholstered furniture’s life by periodically turning over the loose cushions.

What can be simpler? Yet this easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear and your cushions won’t develop indentations right away. Caring for cushions by fluffing them after you’ve cleaned also helps keep them in shape.

Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage.

Vacuum

Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers.

You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric.

Spot Clean

While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector.

Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants

Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods of time. This is especially true for silks or other delicate fabrics.

Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors.

Call a Professional

It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years or so. Experts recommend having this done on a regular basis and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.

Some aspects of choosing upholstery fabric might seem pretty obvious such as selecting a color, the single biggest factor in fabric selection, or how it feels to touch. However, since it's always good to take your own special needs into account, here are some other factors you might want to consider.

Fabric Durability

Sometimes durability is an issue and sometimes it isn't. Every home is different, and often even rooms within the same home can have different requirements.

But your fabric selection should reflect those requirements.

• Choose a fabric based on who will be using your sofa. If your pets will also be sharing your sofa with you, consider a microfiber fabric or leather as these can withstand heavy use.
• Consider fabric durability if your sofa will be placed in a high-traffic area of the home.
• Woven patterns hold up longer than printed ones, as do higher thread counts and tight weaves. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric, and denser fabric lasts longer.

Fabric Style

Each fabric has its own style so choose one that will look good not only in your home, but also on the sofa you are choosing.

• Your fabric choice should approximate the style and character of the piece it is covering. For example, a traditional fabric would look better on a traditional style of frame. That said if you have an adventurous sense of style and know how to merge two very different ones together, go for it.
• Some fabrics appear casual, while others might look more formal. Choose a fabric that echoes your own style or theme that you have established throughout the home.

• Consider the scale of the pattern. It should be appropriate to the size of the furniture it is covering, as well as the room size. A large bold, pattern might work better in a larger room, while a more muted or smaller one might be a better choice for a smaller space.

Fabric Color

Often we choose color before making any other choices regarding a sofa fabric. Maybe it is because it makes the strongest impact and is the first thing we see when making a selection.

• Color is the single most important reason people choose a fabric, so make sure your color choice is one you can live with happily for a long time. For instance, it may be best to avoid a very bold color for a smaller room, especially if your sofa is also large.
• Avoid delicately colored fabrics around children and pets.
• To strike the right mood, consider the color temperature. Since warm and cool colors affect the mood of the room, make sure you’re choosing the right fabric for the right mood.
• Avoid trendy colors, unless you happen to really like them. Color trends come and go so be careful. What if you don't consider eggplant attractive in the first place? Will you be able to live with a color even when its popularity wanes?

Special Considerations

There are some other factors that you should consider before you make a selection. And these have to do with the environment in which you'll be placing your couch. Does your room get a lot of sun, or is there any dampness? Are there pets who share the furniture with you? Does anyone suffer from allergies?

• Fade Resistance: Consider if your fabric is fade resistant especially if it will be placed in a room that gets plenty of sunlight, or will be placed close to a window.
• Mildew Resistance: Look for fabric that is mildew resistant if you live in a humid climate that fosters mildew.
• Allergies: Consider fabric such as microfiber for certain allergies because it is lint free and does not attract dust.
• Pets: If you have pets avoid using delicate fabric such as silk, or any fabric with lots of texture. Select pet-friendly upholstery instead.

How to Clean Furniture With Bissell Upholstery Cleaner

When your furniture fabric gets dull or stained, you can clean it with an upholstery shampoo or cleaner. Apply the liquid shampoo formula with either a carpet cleaner's handheld rotary brush attachment specially made for upholstery, or clean it by hand using the (carpet and upholstery) formula in warm water and applying it with a soft scrub brush. If you're cleaning by hand, always sponge the area with a dry towel to remove some moisture when the cleaning is done, to help the drying process.

And expect a chair or other upholstered furniture to take several hours drying time.

When using a carpet cleaning machine, it will remove excess solution, just follow the manufacturer's directions and use the recommended cleaner for that equipment. Regardless of what type of cleaning formula you are using, it is wise to do an initial test cleaning on a 'hidden' section of upholstery to ensure it will not damage your fabric.

Another furniture cleaning alternative is an upholstery shampoo that has its own applicator built right in to the aerosol can. The one featured is the Bissell Upholstery Shampoo and it comes with a soft rubber applicator brush attached to top of the can. Simply shake the can and press the button to release a shampoo foam. Apply the cleaning foam with a gentle rotating motion. Repeat as required to remove stains. Let the upholstery dry. A second or third application may be required.

The Bissell Upholstery Shampoo does a good job to freshen fabrics and brighten patterns and colors while removing stains.

It's handy to have a can on hand for quick touch-ups or spot removing. It also works well on automobile upholstery to remove occasional stains.

Hand cleaning upholstery is a tedious and labor intensive task. If you have several pieces of furniture to clean, you can save a lot of time and effort by renting a carpet cleaner that has an upholstery attachment.

Another consideration may be to purchase a small carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment - it's a convenient and worthwhile investment even if you do not have any carpets, but like to clean your furniture fabric regularly. You'll also find it handy for cleaning your vehicle upholstery. Portable carpet spot cleaners are handy for removing stains on carpeting, but often do not work well on furniture upholstery simply because of their design.

DIVINE DESIGN & UPHOLSTERY

UPCOMING TOURS

If you are looking for a custom interior for you show car or a duplicate of the original factory. Our team at Divine Design Upholstery can do the job.

We are very proud on quality work.

SPECIALTIES

Color

Choosing the perfect color and fabric to get a gorgeous project . We’ll make the process easy and fun!

Layout

We know how to design and upholstery a cars, boats, motorcycle seats, furniture and more. 

OUR PHULOSOPHY

We want to create any idea that you have and upholstery your project. We can provide the design expertise  needed to get your project off the ground

OUR EXPERIENCE

With more than 10 years of experience, we’ve designed it all – and we can prove it!

UPSCALE INTERIORS

The elements we use to accessorize and design upholstery are always sleek and upscale.

DESIGN IDEAS

Want unique and modern design elements? We’re the design team for you!

The best thing about maintaining upholstered furniture? It is easy to do it, and it does not take much time. The result? You get to have a great looking sofa year after year.

Choose the Right Fabric

Give yourself an advantage when you buy right. Choose the right fabric for the right place and you make your upholstery maintenance task easier. Not only that, but choosing fabric that is appropriate for your lifestyle and the upholstered piece can extend the furniture's life.

For example, synthetic fibers are a better choice for upholstered furniture that sits in areas of heavy usage. If you have pets, choose fabrics that do not have loose weaves or too much texture.

Protect Your Fabric

The best form of fabric protection is prompt attention to spills. A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory. where it is usually treated with soil and/or water repellents. Some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors may also be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home.

While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Don't let it give you a false sense of security. Always clean up any spills or stains in a timely manner, and follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper care methods.

Turn the Cushions

You can extend your upholstered furniture’s life by periodically turning over the loose cushions.

What can be simpler? Yet this easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear and your cushions won’t develop indentations right away. Caring for cushions by fluffing them after you’ve cleaned also helps keep them in shape.

Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage.

Vacuum

Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers.

You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric.

Spot Clean

While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector.

Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants

Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods of time. This is especially true for silks or other delicate fabrics.

Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors.