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Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> Cleaning >> The Easiest Way to Clean Really Gross Vinyl Upholstery

May 18, 2017 By Jenna 22 Comments

The Easiest Way to Clean Really Gross Vinyl Upholstery

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Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

The Circus and I have trekked through some interesting places in our yard sale and estate sale adventures. There are times I pray she doesn’t blurt out something about how bad it stinks wherever we are or how dirty the place is. Oftentimes, I bathe her in Germ-X when we get back in the car.  Sometimes I pray there isn’t a psychopath waiting for us at the end of a long hallway in a dark basement.

The latter scenario is how I came to find this little gem.

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Unfortunately though, this little gem was quite rough to begin with. The whole thing had to get a new paint job and the upholstery….

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Whoo lawd, the upholstery, it was bad. It was greasy and grimy and after I loaded that thing in my truck, I’m certain I used an entire thing of hand sanitizer on my hands. That being said though, I bought it from a sweet old lady who was moving and honestly, I just don’t think she was able to get up and down those stairs to clean it anymore, bless her heart.

My first thought was that I would have to replace the upholstery completely, but I really loved that cute yellow piping on the cushions. So, instead I decided to try cleaning it with a cleaner I had used on a Mid-Century Modern sofa and chairs that had been in similar condition when I purchased it. 

And it worked. 

Like a charm. 

 How to Clean Vinyl Upholstery

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

  • Zep All Around Cleaner and Degreaser 
  • Scrub Brush
  • Paper Towels
Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Side note: There might be other cleaners that work, but this was the best one I found after trying a few. This post is NOT sponsored by Zep in any way, I was just amazed at how well their product worked and wanted to share with you.

Step 1. 

You want to work in small sections, so first spray a section of part of the piece you are working on. With these cushions, I started with the top, fully cleaned it, then moved to the sides, cleaning each side completely before moving to the next one. 

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Let the cleaner sit on the upholstery for about 2-3 minutes. 

Step 2.

Using your scrub brush, give the vinyl a good scrubbing. You should literally see the dirt, grease and grime start to lift away. 

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Step 3. 

After you have scrubbed the section thoroughly, come back with a paper towel and wipe up all that gross junk. 

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

With these cushions, it only took one round of cleaning per section. However, if your piece is really heavy with dirt and grime, it might take a couple of passes with the cleaner. 

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

And because no cleaning post is good without a little side-by-side before and after action:

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

What’s even funnier is that I didn’t realize the vinyl was actually supposed to be white when I bought it, I knew it was dirty, but I just assumed it was more of a beige-y color with all the dirt. 

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

I think the yellow piping is just too cute on these chairs. How could I not try to salvage those cushions?!  

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!

Any tricks you have for cleaning upholstery? 

Want more shortcuts for cleaning? See these then…

How to Remove Rust and Polish Chrome – do not throw away rusty metal just yet! Try this first!

How to Clean Brass – who knew it was supposed to look like that?

Want to come back to this vinyl upholstery cleaning tip later? Just pin the image below!

Before tossing that grime covered vinyl chair out, try this idea for cleaning vinyl upholstery. You might be surprised at how easy it is to clean vinyl!
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Filed Under: Cleaning Tagged With: upholstery, vinyl

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy C says

    May 18, 2017 at 11:04 am

    LOVE the yellow!!!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:35 am

      Me too! It’s so fun and bright!

      Reply
  2. Shirley says

    May 18, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Who would have thought those cushions would have come up that clean? It’s such a cute set!
    By the way I got rust off my coffee table legs using Bar Keepers Friend – as you recommended in a previous post . Great tip thanks Jenna!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:35 am

      I never thought they would get so clean either, Shirley!! I love Bar Keepers Friend for rust! I’m about to use it to attack the old porcelain tub at my grandparent’s house!

      Reply
  3. Patty says

    May 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Wow what a difference, I gotta get me some Zep.
    That set is adorable and I love the yellow piping, you lucky shit, I have been looking for a metal set. I have a small set, but was wanting a bigger set, that set is the perfect size and style and color.
    I will check out your sale this weekend.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:34 am

      I love that you called me a “lucky shit.” hahaha!! That’s one I don’t hear too often anymore!

      Reply
  4. Stephanie Sheridan says

    May 18, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    To cute for words. Love how the grim was gone and never would tell it was so yucky. Good job.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:32 am

      Thanks, Stephanie! I think its adorable too!

      Reply
  5. Carol ("Mimi") says

    May 22, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    I had never heard of this cleaner before. Pinning so I can find the information when I need it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:29 am

      You’re welcome, Carol!

      Reply
  6. Lorena says

    May 23, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Oh wow what a great find and I loved that you tried and succeeded to salvage the original vinyl cushion- I would have done the same.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 25, 2017 at 4:29 am

      Thanks, Lorena! They turned out pretty good!

      Reply
  7. Leanna says

    May 27, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Is this ever a gorgeous table set. What a spectacular find. It certainly was worth finding a way to clean it. Pinning and congrats.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      June 8, 2017 at 9:38 am

      Thanks, Leanna!

      Reply
  8. Emily @DomesticDeadline.com says

    June 7, 2017 at 7:58 am

    I would have snatched that set up too! Love it. Looks great all cleaned up. I’m wondering if that stuff would help me clean up the cushions on an outdoor set I snagged for a steal. Thanks for linking up to #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      June 8, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Love this set, Emily! It’s so cute! It might just clean up those cushions of yours!

      Reply
  9. Chrissy says

    October 7, 2019 at 10:22 pm

    I just grabbed some Zep from Lowe’s to test it out but I got the wrong one ☹️ I got the zep all purpose but it doesn’t say oxy and it’s green ! Guess I’ll take it back and see if they carry the oxy brand !

    Reply
  10. Patricia Todd says

    March 6, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    I have faux leather RV cushions. Bought the product you used and it simply did not work. They look no better than they did before I started! I wonder why? They are not even close to as bad as your cushions. Any ideas?

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      March 26, 2020 at 11:21 am

      Hmmm. Did you let the product sit on the cushions for a bit to try and really lift up the dirt?

      Reply
  11. Cathy says

    June 30, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    What to use on old moldy boat cushions. I tried bleach and it didn’t work
    Help

    Reply
  12. Susan says

    August 21, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    I have a vinyl headboard that is sticky and full of lint. Will Zep work to clean it?

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      August 22, 2022 at 8:26 am

      I’d give it a try. Start in a small inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t damage it in any first.

      Reply

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