An upholstered headboard can add a luxurious, yet cozy feel to a bedroom. Upholstered beds allow you to bring more personal style into your space with a wide variety of colors, textures and patterns.

You should give your headboard the same cleaning attention as your sheets and pillowcases. Knowing how to clean a fabric headboard will help it look better and last longer, as the natural oils from your hair and skin, pet hair, sweat, makeup and hair products can gradually build up on the surface and make it look worn out and grimy.

Baking soda is a popular natural cleaning option, but it only works well in terms of deodorizing upholstery. It won't be much help in terms of actually cleaning and removing those stubborn, left-behind oils.

For deep upholstery cleaning, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a cleaner, degreaser, deodorizer and stain remover that powers out dirt and grime and removes stubborn stains on washable surfaces, including clothing and fabric. It doesn't leave behind harsh chemicals or residue that can be absorbed into the skin or cause irritation.

For regular weekly cleaning, you can use a lint roller or the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust and allergens and maintain the quality of the fabric. Vacuum left to right in short strokes, starting at the top and working toward the bottom (use low suction when cleaning delicate fabrics). The left-to-right movement is important for types of fabrics that hold onto dirt, like chenille, velvet and corduroy. You can even use a can of compressed air to blast dirt from tufting and button nooks.

Directions for Cleaning Upholstered Headboards:

Spot Cleaning

1. Prepare your Simple Green solution. Mix 1 ounce of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with a cup of water in an empty spray bottle.
2. Wet the stain. Dampen the stain with clean water.
3. Apply solution. Spray the Simple Green solution onto a clean, damp cloth and gently wipe the stain from the outer edges toward the center of the spot.
4. Blot. Blot with a new damp towel or absorbent cloth. Avoid scrubbing against the fabric, as this could cause it to pill or wear unevenly.
5. Air dry. Allow the cleaned area to dry completely.

Carpet Cleaning Machine (Hand Tool Attachment)

1. Prepare your Simple Green solution. Mix 1 ounce of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with a cup of water in an empty spray bottle.
2. Apply. Apply the solution to the headboard in sections with a clean cloth, or lightly mist with your spray bottle.
3. Clean. Extract with the carpet cleaning machine using clean water. If necessary, add a small amount of white vinegar to reduce foaming in the recovery tank).
4. Air dry. Allow the cleaned area to dry completely.