How to Clean Fabric Headboards

Cleaning your fabric headboard is essential to keep it looking nice, lasting longer, and ensuring your bedroom stays clean. Dust, dirt, and stains can build up over time, making your headboard look dull and dirty. 

Ready to give your fabric headboard a refresh? This guide will show you how to clean it up quickly. 

Supplies 

You don’t need many supplies to clean your headboard. Remember to read your headboard’s label for any specific cleaning instructions. We are dealing with fabric, and fabric can be delicate.

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• A vacuum cleaner (USA) (Canada) with horsehair attachment (USA) (Canada)
• Tide® Rescue Laundry Stain Remover (USA) (Canada) or powdered Tide® (USA) (Canada)
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Towel
• Optional: Soft bristle brush and fabric protector spray (USA) (Canada) 

Prep your bed

Before cleaning your headboard, pull back the sheets, move pillows, and lay down towels to catch any drips or spills to protect your bedding and mattress. 

Vacuum

To begin cleaning your headboard, use a vacuum with a horsehair brush attachment to gently remove dust and debris from the fabric surface. This includes the top, sides, and all crevices. Vacuuming the headboard first ensures the dust on your headboard doesn’t turn into mud when it becomes wet during the cleaning process. If there are no stains, you’re done cleaning after this step! 

Spot clean (if needed) 

1. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first. Some fabrics show watermarks that can be more noticeable than the original stain.
2. Use Tide® Rescue Laundry Stain Remover or ½ teaspoon of powdered Tide® mixed in 4 cups of hot water.
3. Spray stain remover or apply the Tide® solution to the stained areas using a clean microfiber cloth, gently dabbing and blotting until the stain lifts.
4. Rinse the treated area with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and allow it to air dry.
5. If the stains remain:
   1. Repeat steps 2-4 and use a scrub brush to GENTLY scrub the stain, or 
   2. Check out our stain-specific articles here. Be careful as some of these methods may not be safe for your headboard. 
6. If a water mark remains:
   1. Mix ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. 
   2. Dip a microfiber cloth in the mixture and dab (NOT rub) onto the stained area.
   3. Place paper towels on the dampened area and apply pressure to soak up excess moisture.
   4. Dry the dampened area with a hair dryer on low or cool. 

Unfortunately, sometimes water marks will only go away if you clean the whole headboard with an upholstery cleaner.  (USA) (Canada) 

Pro tip: If your headboard is microfiber, see this article for our easy hack! 

How to maintain a clean headboard:

We recommend cleaning your fabric headboard every few months to keep it looking fresh and prevent dust and dirt buildup. If allergies or stains are a concern, once a month would be even better.

To make your headboard last as long as possible, consider these helpful tips:

• Clean your headboard regularly to prevent dirt and stains from accumulating, which can cause premature wear and tear.
• Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners that could damage the fabric. Opt for gentle cleaning solutions and soft cloths or brushes instead.
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade and weaken the fabric over time. Consider placing your headboard away from direct sunlight or use curtains or blinds to shield it.
• Avoid sharp objects near your headboard that could snag or tear the fabric.
• If you have pets, opting for a metal bed frame for longevity is usually best. We love our furry friends, but fabric or wood headboards can be just too tempting for scratching and biting.  
• Apply a fabric protector spray to your headboard to protect against stains and spills. 

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your headboard stays in excellent condition for years to come, and that your bedroom remains a calm, clean space where you can relax and enjoy.

To learn more bed maintenance tips check out: Pillow and Duvet Maintenance,  Mattress Cleaning & Maintenance Tips, and Mattress Stains.

Sara B @ GoCleanCo