Ottoman is a small piece of furniture that originated in Turkey and got its name from the Ottoman Empire. The first time this interesting piece appeared was in the late 18th century, and you can easily recognize it by the lack of armrests and backrests.
Today, most ottomans are made of faux or fake fur, which is a physically similar fabric that has the same properties as real fur. So if you own one and you’re wondering how to clean faux fur ottoman, there are two ways, you can hand wash it, or you can put it in the washing machine.
How to Clean Faux Fur Ottoman
Faux fur is warm, comfy, and durable, as long as you are taking proper care of it. And it is used for making many things. Boots, coats, bags, and even furniture. Almost everyone has an ottoman in their house, whether used as a footrest or for extra sitting. And those overlayed with faux fur are simply adorable. And not only do they look very comfy and can fit in every style, but they can also be used as an extra seat, a place to rest your legs, a place to leave your blanket or book, or even your drink.
But, have you spilled something on it or simply want to clean it and refresh its look, and you’re wondering how to clean a faux fur ottoman? There is more than one way to do that, so let’s learn how to clean it.
Method no. 1: Handwash
The first way to clean and refresh your faux fur ottoman is to hand wash it. Using your hands and soapy water to clean your ottoman might take a bit of your time, but it’s the safest way to clean the faux fur without damaging it. This way is very effective and will prevent you from throwing the whole ottoman and buying a new one. Simply follow the steps below, and you’ll be done in a maximum of two hours.
Step 1
Start by brushing the surface of your ottoman with a brush, and don’t be afraid that you will ruin its fluffiness. The furry things collect a lot of dirt inside them, so you must start the cleaning by brushing them. To do that, all you will need is a strong and big brush, and don’t be afraid if some of the furs come out. Faux fur is gentle, but you must do this step to prevent further tangling.
Step 2
After you finish with the brushing, it will be easier to find the areas that need to be deeply cleaned. If you spilled something or simply want to refresh your ottoman, you can easily do that with a little soap. So, you can use soap, detergent, or laundry powder. Choose what you think will be the most effective, mix it with water, and use a smaller brush that will make it easier to get access to the areas you need to clean. You can also use a toothbrush or even your hands if you need to. Scrub as long as you think it is necessary.
Step 3
After everything is cleaned and you are done scrubbing, it is time to get rid of the soap by using water. Cleanse your ottoman using a hose, your shower, or simply a bucket with water; whatever is the most convenient way for you will do the job. Again, include your hands and do your best to remove all of the soap.
Step 4
After no soap traces are left, squeeze it a bit, and the last step is to let your ottoman dry. The best way to dry it is to leave the ottoman in your garden or your balcony under the sun and let it naturally dry. But, if it is a cloudy day, don’t worry. Take your hairdryer, keep a safe distance, and dry the faux fur.
Method no. 2: Machine wash
There is another, faster way of cleaning your faux fur ottoman besides handwashing it. You can remove the faux fur and put it in your washing machine, which is the fastest way to clean it, especially if you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to hand wash it. So let’s see the proper way to do that, step by step.
Step 1
The first thing you must do is to start by checking if you can remove the faux fur from your ottoman. Many ottomans have a faux fur slipcover, which can be quickly removed, making things a lot easier, so remove it if possible.
Step 2
After you have removed the faux fur slipcover, turn it inside out, and put it in your washing machine. Use a detergent, but also put a little bit of fabric softener, which will make the faux fur more fluffy, puffy, and soft.
Step 3
This next step is essential, so be careful. Remember to run a delicate cycle with cold water. Also, make sure that the spin is set on low. The faux fur will be washed in no time.
Step 4
After the faux fur cover is washed, take it out of the washing machine and avoid putting it in the dryer. The best way to dry it is to put it outside and let the sun naturally dry it. But, if the weather is not on your side, you can carefully use a hairdryer and dry it yourself.
These two ways are the best ways that show you how to clean faux fur ottoman quickly and effectively. Make sure to follow the steps, and your ottoman will get back its fresh, fluffy look, and it’ll smell amazingly good.
How to Use an Ottoman
Even though ottomans have an adorable and fancy look, they can be very useful. You can use an ottoman in many ways, no matter which material is made of or what shape it has. As you must probably know, ottomans are mostly used as an extra seat or fluffy ones as a decoration, and they also can be used as a place that provides additional storage or even as an extra table. So let’s take a better look at all the various ways you can use them that you might not be familiar with.
As an extra table
If you have a small living room, you can put a tray on your ottoman and use it as a small coffee table. For example, an ottoman can be very useful and used in smaller living rooms or as a side table when you are having guests and there is not enough space for all of the drinks. There are ottomans called cocktail or coffee table ottomans, which have a sturdy and flat surface and an elegant look, so you can easily find them and purchase them.
As an extra storage place
Ottoman with storage place is the most practical piece of furniture you can own. It will not only give a stylish look to your home, but it will also be a very functional piece of furniture. The ottoman with a hidden place for storage comes with a removable top.
Under it, there is an empty space that you can use to store many things. Let’s say that you use this type of ottoman in your living room as an extra seat. At the end of the day, you will be able to put on it all of the small things such as remote controls, magazines, or books.
As a footrest
Ottomans are commonly placed in the living rooms giving them warmth and elegance but also functionality at the same time. They are mostly used for resting your feet, so you can put the ottoman in front of your chair or couch and put your legs on it. People love to use them in their bedrooms for this same purpose, so you can have more than one ottoman and use them in different rooms.
As an extra seat or as a decoration
Another way you can use an ottoman is as an extra seat. When you’re having people coming over and not enough chairs, an ottoman can be of great help. Some people even use them as a decoration, especially the faux fur ones, thanks to their fabulous, warm and attractive look, so you can brighten your room by getting one.
Conclusion
You can find a faux fur ottoman in a square, rectangle, oval, or round form. Whichever form you choose, the fluffiness will make your home look unique, warm, and welcoming. And don’t worry if you spill your coffee or anything else on it. Now you know how to clean faux fur ottoman so you can easily and quickly clean it using one of the ways explained above. Adhere to the given steps, and your ottoman will be fluffy, refreshed, and good as new so that you can enjoy its many functions.
