How to Clean an Ottoman

Things You Need:

• Vacuum with a hose
• Carpet shampoo or leather cleaner
• Clean rag
• Leather wax or conditioner
• Furniture polish

It's easy to give living room ottomans a cursory, superficial cleaning, like simply running a vacuum cleaner over the surface; however, because ottomans are the object of much use by feet and shoe soles, they need an occasional deep clean. Look below for tips on how to clean an ottoman.

Cleaning an Ottoman:

1. Remove cover. Remove any covering on the ottoman. Put the covering in the washer if the instructions allow it.

2. Dust the ottoman. In order to get rid of all the dust that may have accumulated on your ottoman, dust it with a brush or vacuum attachment. Don't forget to pay special attention to the legs and feet of the ottoman, especially if they're made out of metal or wood. Use furniture polish for the wood pieces.

3. Vacuum the ottoman. Use a hose attachment in order to get in any cracks and crevices. Make sure you also vacuum the sides and the underside of the ottoman. The saying "out of sight, out of mind" holds especially true in regards to furniture. Most dust accumulates underneath the ottoman.

4. Prepare the cleaner. If you have a cloth-upholstered ottoman, use carpet shampoo to clean it. You can also use a mild detergent as long as it's bleach-free. Use 1/4 cup of detergent and some warm water to make a sudsy mix. If you have a leather ottoman, there are cleaners made specifically for leather furniture. Follow the instructions found on the leather cleaner.

5. Clean the ottoman. Take a soft cloth or sponge and use it to apply the shampoo or detergent suds to the ottoman. Scrub lightly until the dirt comes up. If there is a fresh spot, be sure to blot, not scrub, it. Scrubbing a fresh stain can grind it deeper into the fabric of the ottoman, making it even harder to get out.

6. Dry it off. Use a dry towel to wipe up the suds, and then let the ottoman dry.

7. Wax leather. If you have a leather-upholstered ottoman, you will want to also wax it on occasion. At most, this should be done once a year. Waxing will rid the leather of small scratches that naturally occur over time.