Now it’s time to tackle the cleaning. Focus on small areas where dirt is visible and spot-clean them. For minor blemishes, you can use vinegar and a microfiber cloth and gently wipe.

Alternatively, make your own natural upholstery cleaner, which you can use for this phase and the next. Add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to a small bowl of warm water and use an electric hand mixer to whip it up until the mixture forms soft peaks.

Gently apply the soap suds to the stain with a soft-bristle brush and rub until you see some of the dirt lifting off. Use a spatula to remove most of the dirty foam, then rinse the rest away with a white cloth and a very small amount of fresh water. Once the suds have been completely removed, take a close look at the stain to see if you need to repeat the process.

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