How to Clean & Maintain a Headboard

Here is a Little Guide to Help You Keep Your New Headboard Looking Nice and Like New

A gorgeous headboard adds to the style statement of your room and makes it look more sophisticated. However, this beauty is also more prone to stains, spills, and dust, and a dirty headboard can ruin the ambiance of the entire room.

That’s why you should properly clean and maintain your headboard to keep it looking new and luxurious for years to come.

Let’s learn how to clean and care for your headboard.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming your headboard should be a part of your weekly cleaning schedule to keep the fabric from accumulating dust, grime, and bacteria. All you have to do is run a vacuum across the headboard- from left to right and top to bottom, to pick any dust or dirt. Vacuuming should be gentle to avoid damaging the fabric.

Check Cleaning Codes for the Fabric Type

Before starting to clean your headboard, you should know its fabric type and what products/tools are safe for that fabric. You may not be able to identify the fabric, so it’s better to look for its label.

Most manufacturers provide the wash care symbols (cleaning codes), so you know how to clean fabric.

These codes are:

S or P
This type of fabric should be cleaned with a dry solvent only; water can damage the fabric. Professional dry-cleaning is recommended.

F
It refers to foam cleaning, a type of dry cleaning used for delicate fabrics.

W
You can clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents or foam upholstery cleaners.

W/S or S/W
Fabric can be cleaned with both water-based solvents and dry solvents.

X or X/S
You should avoid both water-based cleaners and dry solvents for this fabric. It should only be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or a light brush.

No code? No worries!

You can clean velvet, linen, suede, and leather headboards with a mild detergent mix; however, avoid excess water for leather. Steam clean wool fabric. 

Tip: Test a cleaning technique on a small portion before cleaning the whole headboard to ensure that the fabric is not damaged.

Removing Stains

Now that you know the fabric type, it’s time to remove spills and stains. Here is what you need to do:

First, know the stain type.

Is it a water stain, juice spill, or grease stain? Knowing the stain types help you determine the best cleaning solution to remove it.

Can you do it yourself?

You may try DIY removing minor stains, but we recommend hiring a professional for hard stains.

Here’s how to DIY clean stains.

> For liquid stains

Don’t let the stain dry, and immediately use a clean towel to soak up the liquid. Then, clean with a cleaning solution.

> For grease or oil stains

Apply baby powder or baking soda and leave it for half an hour to absorb the oil. Then gently rub with a suede brush. If the stain remains, apply a cleaning solution.

> For stubborn, dry stains

Dry stains are stubborn and much harder to remove. To remove such stains, first brush off with an upholstery stain remover or a wet fabric. Then remove using a cleaning agent.  

Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution to Remove Headboard Stains

You have two options when it comes to choosing a cleaning solution for removing hard stains; DIY solutions and upholstery cleaners readily available in the market.

For DIY
Mix lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent (you should see bubbles form in the water), and your cleaning mixture is ready.

For solvent cleaners
You should look for a powerful and low odor cleaner, such as Ambersil Solvent Cleaner. The cleaner should effectively remove hard stains without damaging the fabric or leaving a bad odor.  

Applying Cleaning Solution the Right Way

• Apply the solution on a clean cloth, and then apply it to the stain.
• Let the solution stay for an hour, so it completely dries. Then clean with a wet cloth.
• Use a hairdryer or a dry cloth to completely dry the fabric, and you’re all done!
• If there’s still any residue, try steam cleaning or take the help of a professional.

Tip: Test the cleaning solution on a small area to make sure it doesn’t discolor the fabric.

To Wrap It Up

I hope this article helps you properly clean and maintain your headboard. Make sure to regularly vacuum it and repeat the cleaning process at least once a month to keep your headboard looking fresh and new.

If you’re looking for a high-quality stain cleaner, check our store. You’ll find a range of solvents that quickly dissolve and remove stubborn stains and messes.