Everyday tip: 8+1 ways to clean all kinds of home textiles

Light curtains, cosy rugs and decorative cushions give your home a comfortable and personal feel. To keep textiles and fabrics clean, they need regular care. Read on for tips on how to clean different types of home textiles.

1. Sofas and armchairs

For many, the sofa is the favourite spot in the home – and it’s where signs of everyday life, from food stains to pet hair, tend to gather. With regular cleaning, you can keep your sofa looking tidy: vacuum it during your weekly clean and wipe off fresh stains with a damp cloth.

From time to time, your sofa will need a more thorough clean. Removable covers can usually be machine-washed, following the care instructions.

If the covers are not removable or machine-washable, use a textile cleaner, which you can rent from a tool hire service or a laundry.

While you’re at it, freshen up armchairs, footstools and floor cushions too.

2. Rugs

Clean rugs can instantly lift the look of your home, and good care will help them last longer. Hallway rugs in particular tend to gather a lot of dirt and sand, as they endure heavy daily use. Regular vacuuming and shaking will help keep debris from being tracked around your home.

Keep in mind that rugs must not be washed in your own washing machine or in the laundry room machines – doing so may break the appliance. Rugs should also not be dried in the drying room. When your rug needs a wash, take it to a professional laundry or use a public rug washing spot.

See our tips: How to wash rugs in the city ›

3. Bedding

Fresh bedding makes your bedroom feel inviting and can improve sleep. Quilt covers, pillowcases and sheets should be changed every one to two weeks and washed at 60°C. It’s also a good idea to vacuum the mattress when changing the sheets. If your sheets have become stained, add baking soda to the detergent drawer and use a long, hot wash cycle.

Pillows and quilts should be washed once or twice a year. In winter, you can air them out outside in the cold. Don’t forget to wash your bedspread a few times a year too. Heavy duvets should be taken to a professional laundry, but a light cotton one can usually be machine-washed at home.

If you live in a SATOhome, be sure to make use of the building’s laundry room and drying room, if available – they’re often free to use!

4. Home decor textiles

Cushion covers, throws and other decorative textiles are easy to forget, but it’s good to wash them a few times a year – even more often if you have children or pets. If you change curtains or cushion covers with the seasons, that’s a great time to wash your other decorative textiles too.

See full instructions: How to clean curtains and blinds ›

Oilcloths can be wiped clean for daily care, and most can also be machine-washed if needed. Follow the care instructions to help preserve the colour and shape.

5. Special textiles

Special textiles require special attention.

• A tapestry is a valuable textile and should be professionally cleaned, but you can freshen it at home by gently vacuuming in the direction of the pile and airing it outdoors in sub-zero temperatures.
• Stains on fabric wallpaper can be gently wiped with a damp cloth.
• Delicate materials like wool, silk and linen need to be washed with appropriate gentle detergents. Always follow the care label carefully – and when in doubt, turn to a professional laundry to avoid shrinking or damage.

6. Towels

Bath towels should be changed at least every two weeks and hand towels once a week. If someone in the household is ill, wash towels more frequently. Kitchen towels and cloths should be washed at least a couple of times a week, as they’re constantly exposed to moisture – a breeding ground for bacteria.

Wash towels at 60°C to eliminate bacteria and remove grease.

Avoid using fabric softener on terry towels as it reduces absorbency. You can use laundry vinegar instead – it naturally freshens textiles.

Allow towels to dry thoroughly after use to prevent bacteria from building up in the fibres.

7. Microfibre cloths and mops

Wash microfibre cloths and mop pads in a laundry bag or separately from other items to avoid clogging their fibres with lint, which reduces their cleaning ability. Most microfibre items can withstand machine washing at 60°C without fabric softener.

8. Outdoor textiles

Make it a habit to wash outdoor textiles as part of your spring and autumn cleaning and more often if needed, following the care label. During pollen season, outdoor cushions and blankets can get dirty quickly and may need to be shaken, brushed or vacuumed daily. Sunshades and other non-machine-washable items are best cleaned with mild soapy water and a soft brush.

How do I remove stubborn stains and odours?

Act quickly when a spill happens – for example, red wine on a tablecloth is easier to remove while still fresh. Try these tried-and-true tips from Martat (The Martha Organisation).

Traditional gall soap is effective on many tough stains – just pre-treat the stained area before washing.

If a second-hand find or something stored away has developed a stubborn smell that won’t wash out, try soaking the item in a vinegar-water solution (½ dl vinegar to 5 l cold water), then wash it at the highest temperature allowed by the care label.

Textile care checklist:

• Consider the maintenance needs before buying a textile
• Always follow the care instructions
• Take large or delicate items to a professional laundry
• Vacuum, air out and shake textiles between washes
• Treat stains immediately to prevent them setting
• Never wash rugs or other heavy textiles in your own or laundry room machines

 

Sources: Kotiliesi, SINI, Iltalehti, Ilta-Sanomat

This content has been written by a human utilizing generative AI.

This content has been translated with the help of generative AI. Tämä sisältö on käännetty generatiivisen tekoälyn avulla.