Whether it’s comfort you’re seeking, or you just want to relax, a recliner has a lot to offer. Therefore, for you to get rid of the embedded dust and dirt, you need to clean your recliner from time to time thoroughly. Be it pet hair, spills from food and drinks, or even oil stains, there’s a lot of dirt that can accumulate on your recliner.
Our Favorite Headrest Recliner Cleaners
Proven Ways to Clean Recliner Headrests
The recliner’s headrest tends to accumulate body oils either from our skin or hair. And of course, not forgetting the dust and other stains. You should also note that a prolonged accumulation of dirt and stains can have your recliner producing bad smell.
The type of fabric material for your recliner also determines how susceptible it is to dirt and stains. There are also several ways you can choose to clean your recliner because not all cleaning methods work the same for all upholstery fabrics.
Before you commence your cleaning exercise, it’s advisable to first identify the type of material you’re working with. This will help you choose a suitable cleaning technique or method for your recliner. We shall have a look at some of the ways you can clean your recliner’s headrest.
Basic Cleaning Method
Vacuuming happens to be the basic cleaning method for recliners and any other types of furniture. By vacuuming, you’ll be able to get rid of any loose dust and particles from your recliner regardless of the type of material it has. This way, your recliner won’t have an awful smell because of dirt accumulation.
Whenever you’re vacuuming, you should vacuum the whole recliner instead of the headrest alone. For you to get rid of all the dirt and dust that has accumulated, it is advisable that you flip the recliner. If your recliner is heavy, you might need an extra pair of arms since it can be exhaustive.
Thorough Cleaning Techniques
Aside from the regular vacuuming, you’re advised to thoroughly clean your recliner for at least once or twice a year to maintain its good condition. Depending on how dirty or delicate your recliner is, you might want to hire a professional to do the job if you don’t want to risk damaging it.
You can also opt for the DIY route if you have all the needed cleaning supplies. We’ll look at some of the cleaning techniques you can opt for depending on the type of fabric your headrest recliner has.
Leather Recliner Headrest
Leather, especially original leather is one of the expensive materials for upholstery. Not to mention that it’s also more durable if maintained properly. You need to be careful when cleaning your headrest and also ensure that you use the right cleaning supplies.
Materials Needed
- Clean bucket
- Water
- Vinegar
- Clean towel
- Paper towels
- Leather conditioner/ cream
Step 1
In your clean bucket, mix the vinegar and water in equal proportions.
Step 2
Dip your clean towel into the mixture and wring it properly. Wipe your recliner’s headrest using the damp cloth. Make sure you do not use a dripping towel since you do not want to leave your leather wet.
Step 3
Once you’re done wiping the headrest, be sure to dry it using the paper towels. Leaving your leather recliner moist could ruin it or cause it to damage faster.
Step 4
Once the cleaned area is dry, you can now apply a leather conditioner or cream to help preserve the polished look of your recliner.
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Vinyl And Faux Leather Recliner Headrest
Both vinyl and faux leather are not as expensive as real leather is but either way you need to be careful when cleaning them. With this type of material, you can use soap, water, and polish, or even mild detergent. You would want to void using too much water because it can make the material crack within a short while.
Using Mild Detergent
Some of the things that you’ll need for this method include the following:
- Mild Detergent
- Bucket
- Warm Water
- Cleaning Rag
- Paper Towel
Step 1
Start by preparing your solution by mixing the cleaning detergent and the warm water in your bucket.
Step 3
Dip the cleaning cloth or towel in your solution and wring out the excess to avoid using a dripping towel. Wipe the headrest using the wrung-out towel or cloth.
Step 4
Once you’re done wiping your recliner, make sure you dry it off using the paper towels. Remember, leaving the vinyl or faux leather material wet can cause it to damage faster so it’s necessary to thoroughly dry it.
Using Water Soap And Polish
This method is similar to the one mentioned above for cleaning using a mild detergent with the difference being that you have to apply polish to the clean area once it is completely dry. The polish will help the material retain some of its glow. Of course, this method will be more costly because you’ll need to buy the polish.
Other Upholstery Material
Aside from the above mentioned, there are different cleaning methods that you can opt for depending on the compatibility with your recliner’s upholstery material. Some of these methods include the following:
- Steam Cleaning. Before you embark on steam cleaning, you should have a steam cleaner which you know how to operate efficiently. You can either buy one or rent one. It is also essential to make sure that the fabric you’re cleaning is compatible with a steamer.
Once you finish vacuuming the loose dirt, you should ensure that the cleaning solution is in the correct proportions so that you can start using the steam cleaner on your recliner headrest. Once you complete steam cleaning, let your recliner air dry for some time.
- Solvent Safe Cleaning. With this method, you’ll need a solvent-based cleaner. Start by vacuuming the dirt particles then spray the cleaner on the headrest. Brush off the dirt using a soft brush and rub off the residue on the material using a clean towel or piece of cloth. Remove any excess water using a towel then leave it to air dry.
- Water-Safe Method. This method simply involves using mild detergent and warm water like the one discussed earlier.
- Using Vinegar. With this method, you’ll need to mix warm water and white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio. Do not use the mixture in excess and avoid scrubbing, only dub on the stain until it’s completely cleaned. Once the vinegar has evaporated into the air, you can remove any remaining dirt using a wet cloth. Remove the excess water using a brightly colored towel and let it air dry.
Out of all the cleaning techniques discussed above, we can agree that the one that you choose depends on the upholstery fabric for your recliner. Sometimes instead of cleaning your headrest only, you can also decide to clean the whole recliner. But note that this will take more time and effort.
Sometimes, a better option might be to simply purchase a new headrest. Here are some popular recliner headrests:
Reasons Why Headrest Is Important
1. Soothes Pain
Either you are tired and exhausted after a long day of work or you are undergoing health issues then lying back in a recliner chair with a headrest will help you feel relax because it provides relief on your shoulder muscles pain and joints.
2. Better Posture
Having a headrest on the recliner will give a positive effect on your posture comparing to when there is none. The headrest will prevent you from hunching forward, pressure on the back, and scrunching on your shoulder.
3. Supports Back
Headrests are designed to ensure your maximum comfortability while preventing your back, neck, and shoulder from pain and injury which is a common problem when sitting for a long period of time.
Conclusion
Although deep cleaning is something that can be done at least once or twice a year, it’s good to ensure proper maintenance of your recliner by vacuuming it more frequently. This will be crucial in preventing the dirt from forming any permanent stains. After all, how well you maintain your recliner will determine how long it’s going to last and serve you!
