The fastest and most effective ways to clean your sofa at home

How to remove stains or dirt streak-free on different upholstery materials

The answer to the question of how to clean the sofa from stains and dirt streaks at home depends on both the nature of the pollution and the material of the upholstery.

The modern industry offers a large selection of household chemicals for cleaning stains and getting rid of odors.

Cleaning a fabric sofa

How to clean a fabric sofa at home from dirt and odor? The method is determined by the type of fabric. In general, it is recommended to use aggressive household chemicals only as a last resort and first test a small amount of the product on an invisible part of the sofa.

Only after making sure that the upholstery does not fade, does not discolor, does not creep, you can use the selected tool on the entire surface of the furniture. Plush and velvet are especially vulnerable to "chemistry".

For a fabric sofa, do not use aggressive chemicals.

Only dry cleaning is suitable for tapestry. If that doesn't work, use whipped foam. In general, all fabric upholstery should first be dry cleaned. And only then, if it was not possible to get rid of mud stains and grease, you can try to wash the surface using a small amount of water. One of the best products for fabrics is Vanish for furniture.

Velor sofa cleaning method

Do not scrape off coarse dirt from velor, flock, chenille and other fleecy fabrics. First soak the stains by applying a small amount of soap suds to them, wait a while, and then gently clean them.

How to clean a fabric sofa? Many housewives will say - Vanish! And they will be right. Vanish for upholstery is great at removing stains on upholstery made from all fabrics. Including velor.

The easiest way to clean a velor sofa is with Vanish.

Cleaning a suede or silk sofa

You can clean suede, including artificial, either with soapy water or with special stain removers designed specifically for this type of fabric. Aggressive chemistry should never be used! If you don't want to completely change the upholstery of the sofa.

Harsh household products are not suitable for cleaning a suede sofa.

With fresh grease stains, regular baking soda will come to the rescue. It should be applied in small quantities directly to the places of contamination. Leave for a day, then carefully remove the baking soda along with a napkin soaked in it. No hard brushes! The material is very delicate! After using wet cleaning products, the cloth in the working area is gently "combed" with a soft rubber brush.

Methods for cleaning a leather sofa

Caring for a leather sofa at home or in the office is easy. Each self-respecting manufacturer of household chemicals offers a wide range of leather cleaning products. You can also use folk remedies.

The leather sofa can be cleaned in a variety of ways.

Several variants.

Soap solution

At the end of the process, remove soap and mud stains with a piece of wool. A minimum of water!

The remains of the soap solution are removed with a woolen cloth.

Soap solution with ammonia

After removing stains, wipe the surface with a cloth lightly greased with castor oil or petroleum jelly.

Don't forget to get rid of any leftovers on your furniture.

Onion bulb

Cut in half, grate the dirt, wash off the onion juice with a sponge soaked in water.

Try to use as little water as possible and not use harsh chemicals that are not made for the skin. Otherwise, you risk spoiling the upholstery.

Onions are not only good for your health, but they can also save your leather sofa.

How to clean a white sofa

It is better to clean light-colored tapestries and jacquard with a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment for upholstered furniture or a beater. In the second case, the upholstery is pre-covered with a damp sheet or cloth soaked in vinegar solution. The mat, chenille, flock can be cleaned with a solution of soap or a special product designed for the appropriate type of fabric. You can also try dry cleaning with baking soda or suitable household cleaning products.

The choice of products for cleaning a white sofa depends on the material of its upholstery.

White eco-leather is cleaned with a soft flannel cloth, after which the surface with a cloth dipped in castor oil. Try using ammonia dissolved in water to remove grease.

Sofa cleaning methods

In general, the sequence of work depends on how badly the resulting stain spoils the appearance of the furniture. If this is just surface dust (including during construction and repair work in the room), it is enough to remove it with damp gauze or cloth. This is done like this: a rag moistened with water is laid out over the entire space of the sofa and slammed. As a result, all the dust is absorbed into it and the sofa takes on its original appearance.

Dust can be easily removed with a cloth

Other materials can be treated with gauze that is soaked in salt water and attached to the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. After processing the furniture with a similar method, the color scheme of the upholstery regains its former freshness and renews itself.

In difficult cases, chemistry will be needed

Table 1. How to eliminate dirt - types and methods

Sometimes you can mix different products to achieve maximum effect.

It is important not to wet the surface too much, so as not to leave streaks and other unwanted parts.

If you are in doubt as to whether a product can be used to remove stains from the sofa, just look at the upholstery label or sticker that is located on the inside of the sofa. Typically, data on possible methods of furniture care is indicated by the manufacturer. Possible side effects from the use of cleaning agents are also presented in this description. In addition, you need to carefully read the instructions for the cleaning agents themselves.

Before using special chemistry, you need to read the composition and methods of application.

Video

To properly clean leather furniture at home, watch the videos below:

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The habit of using the washing machine “sparingly” can lead to an unpleasant odor in it. Washing at temperatures below 60 ℃ and short rinses allow fungi and bacteria from dirty clothes to remain on the inner surfaces and actively multiply.

The procedure for cleaning genuine leather furniture

Proper care will help to maintain a presentable look of the leather upholstery of the sofa, which includes several stages:

1. Vacuum the product to remove coarse debris and dust.Use the special bristle nozzle and fine tip to clean all corners and folds well.
2. Wipe the upholstery with a damp cloth or sponge.
3. Examine the sofa for dirt or stains, and do additional cleaning if necessary.
4. Wipe the upholstery with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
5. Buff the leather with a glycerin sponge or a special wax-based conditioner.

When cleaning leather furniture, start by removing coarse debris and dust with a vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush attachment that gently and gently picks up dirt without damaging the upholstery

Affordable home remedies and specialized household chemicals will help get rid of serious contamination.

Soap solution

The procedure for cleaning leather furniture:

1. Dissolve liquid or laundry soap in warm water.
2. Soak a sponge or rag in the solution, wipe the surface of the product.
3. Avoid heavy rubbing during cleaning to avoid damaging the material.
4. Walk over the furniture with a clean, dry cloth to remove any debris and cleaning agent.

A mild soap solution, suitable for washing dark, light and colored items, will help to clean minor dirt from a leather sofa.

Milk

Cow's milk can help remove dirt from your sofa quickly, effectively and safely. To clean up, follow the steps below:

1. Heat 250 ml of milk.
2. Transfer the food to a convenient container.
3. Dip a soft cloth in warm milk and wipe the product.
4. Remove residual moisture and dirt with a dry cloth.

Special skin cleansers

Special household chemicals (for example Leather Ultra Clean) will help to restore cleanliness and freshness to the leather sofa. Cleaning procedure:

1. Carefully read the instructions on the package and make sure that the chosen product is suitable for natural leather.
2. Prepare the necessary accessories - a sponge, a basin of water, napkins.
3. Take the recommended safety precautions - wear gloves and provide adequate ventilation.
4. Treat the surface of the sofa with the agent of your choice according to the instructions.
5. Wipe the leather with a clean cloth and dry the furniture well.

Before using household chemicals, test them in a small, inconspicuous area. If after processing the material does not change color or structure, use a preparation for large-scale cleaning

General care instructions

Keeping the original look of the leather sofa and extending its service life will allow compliance with simple rules:

• do not place furniture near heaters or radiators. High temperatures cause the skin to dry out, causing it to crack;
• avoid direct sunlight on the skin, as ultraviolet light leads to paint fading;
• maintain optimal indoor humidity;
• do not drink wine, juices or coffee on the sofa, use furniture exclusively for relaxation;
• in case of stains, start cleaning immediately, until the dirt is absorbed into the fibers of the material;
• do not wash your skin with aggressive substances (acetone, gasoline, etc.).

Proper care and timely cleaning will help maintain the presentable appearance and performance of a sofa with genuine leather upholstery for a long time.

Compliance with the rules of operation and maintenance will help to keep the leather sofa clean and presentable. Carry out preventive cleaning of the upholstery in order to be able to enjoy the luxury and beauty of expensive furniture for as long as possible.

2 Caring for the fabric upholstery of the sofa

At the first stage, dust and small impurities are removed. A regular dry brush with a long bristle will help to clean the sofa from wool and crumbs that have fallen into the folds of the flock. There are two ways of acting in such situations: with and without a vacuum cleaner.

Large adhered dirt, dust settled on the upholstery is removed with a vacuum cleaner

At the same time, close attention is paid to all joints and corners: large crumbs, trifles, coins can fall into them. With such cleaning, it is convenient to use special attachments designed for cleaning around furniture.

Brushes help not only to clean the sofa, but also to lift the hairs of the fabric when removing dirt from the nap upholstery: flock, velvet, velor surface. The dust collection pipe without attachments is used for cleaning in the corners and near the armrests of the sofa.

Without the use of a vacuum cleaner, you can do it when cleaning furniture, the upholstery of which has no lint. Dust is knocked out with a hard elastic object. To do this, you will need: a large clean cotton cloth (for example, an old sheet) and a carpet cracker.

Procedure:

1. 1. The fabric is moistened with water or a mild soapy solution, then wring out well.
2. 2. Cover the dirty sofa with a damp cloth and begin intensively knocking out the dust. Passing along the surface, they try not to miss a single section or corner.

With this approach, dust removal will be the most environmentally friendly, without pollution of the surrounding air. Microparticles of dirt, when knocked out, will accumulate on the fabric, which must later be washed and can be reused.

Removing stubborn stains from your sofa at home

If the furniture has not been cleaned for a long time, dark spots may appear on it in places of the most intensive use - this, as a rule, concerns the armrests, the edges of the seats, the part of the back of the sofa where the head and / or back comes into contact with the material.

A greasy sofa is cleaned in a special way

On dense surfaces, old stains are removed with a soapy baking soda cleaner. You can also dilute the dish soap in water and treat the sofa with it. These substances are safe for leather coverings and leatherette.

If an old stain covers the fabric, a lot depends on the upholstery itself.

The tapestry can be brushed with any medium. The foam is on the damaged area for up to ten minutes and then washed off with clean water. At the last stage, it is wiped with a dry cloth. If the result is not achieved, the procedure is repeated. It is advisable to make a solution of increased concentration and clean the entire surface so that there are no contrasting stains around the edges of the stain.

Substances act actively on old stains until a result is obtained

As for the brushed surfaces, it is convenient to use a foam sponge for them. A solution of laundry soap, or dish soap, "Vanish" and other standard formulations can be applied to it.

Removing unpleasant odors from furniture

Upholstery care rules

To protect furniture from stubborn dirt and deformation, start taking care of it immediately after purchase. If you follow certain principles, the upholstery will look like new for a long time:

• Do not keep interior items in rooms where the temperature is below 2 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is above 70 percent.
• Place sofas at least one meter away from heating sources.
• Protect upholstered furniture from direct sunlight.
• Wash the paws of the animals after walking.
• Teach your children to take good care of furniture.

No matter how beautiful the upholstery of a new thing is, it will quickly lose its original appearance if you do not use a blanket, a removable cover or a protective blanket from the first days. The greatest stress is placed on the headrests, seat, backrest, armrests and sofa sides.

How to get rid of odors?

Upholstered furniture is known to perfectly absorb odors. It stays in everything - from filler to wood. This is a fixable matter.

Do not use undiluted vinegar and bleach for cleaning.

Vinegar easily copes not only with beer, but also with various other beverages. We take an unnecessary sheet, moisten it in a weak vinegar solution, squeeze it and put it on the sofa. Press firmly to the surface. We do this several times. Both odor and stains are removed.

You can use soapy water, warm water, and a fiber cloth.

A soap solution with the addition of 1 tbsp will help to remove the "aroma" from the leather covering. l. ammonia. Apply to the upholstery with a sponge, wipe with a damp cloth and dry cloth.

Light surfaces are cleaned with white cloths.

The child peed on the sofa, iodine will help eliminate the smell. For a liter of water you need to take 15-20 drops and wipe the "crime scene". It is worth remembering that this product is only used on dark surfaces! We clean the light coating with potassium permanganate, lemon or lemon juice, a solution of vinegar. If the smell has already entered the sofa, it is better to use household soap. The surface must be moistened with water and rubbed with soap. Let it stand for about 20 minutes. Then rinse with a vinegar solution, wipe with water and dry.

A favorite spot for mold is the folds of the sofa.

If the urine is not for children, but for an elderly person, before we put vodka on the sofa or ammonia, let stand for half an hour.

Microfiber upholstery is only suitable for dry cleaning.

With the "fragrances" of pets, they cope as follows: a solution of vinegar (1: 3) is applied, the moisture is removed with a napkin, covered with soda, on top - a solution consisting of hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent. Let it stand for two hours, then wipe it with a damp cloth and a paper towel.

Nowadays, specialist sofa cleaning services are not cheap.

You can remove odors with cleaning products or a pet odor absorber. First, you need to check the product in a hidden place so as not to spoil the look of the furniture.

So, as you can see, the problem is solvable.

The products with which you are going to clean the upholstery made of fabric should be checked on an inconspicuous area so as not to spoil the view.

Using household chemicals for reading upholstered furniture

There are many different products on the market that are suitable for removing marks from any soft surface. We will look at the most effective ones.

Table # 1. The most effective remedies.

It is important to remember that some products have a high alkali content. This means that during work it is imperative to use protective rubber gloves for hands.

How to remove odor from a sofa

The owners often get used to the unpleasant smell, but the guest who comes to the house for the first time will definitely notice it. Therefore, stained furniture must be cleaned as soon as the contamination occurs.

To clean your sofa and eliminate any unpleasant odors, you should purchase a sofa cleaner.

But before you dry-clean your sofa at home, you first need to try the cleaning agent in an area hidden from prying eyes.

If the upholstery is not damaged and the appearance suits the owners, then you can proceed to full processing.

Ready funds

There are enough ready-made tools for processing furniture on sale, but in some cases it is undesirable to use them.

For example, if a family member has a chemical allergy or has children in the house, you should not use pungent chemistry.

It is strongly not recommended to mix different chemicals in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Folk remedies

It is not difficult to get rid of the smell with the help of folk methods.

The surface of the sofa can be wiped with an acetic acid solution, and you can also sprinkle a smell absorber, which is sold in veterinary stores, or table salt for several hours.

The smell of urine is eliminated with the help of potassium permanganate or citric acid, which are quite strong oxidants and have a deodorant effect.

Laundry soap with glycerin, vodka, soda, tea brew, tooth rinse, natural flavors, including aromatic oils of tea tree, orange, dried parsley, Vietnamese balsam, cope well with odors.

Hydrogen peroxide is also used, 15 drops of which are added to 1 liter of water.

Prevention of contamination

So that the sofa does not lose its presentation over time, you need to follow a number of recommendations that extend the service life:

• you should make a choice in favor of a sofa with upholstery material, which is easy to clean from various undesirable elements;
• buy covers and bedspreads for furniture;
• during the meal, you need to be as careful as possible;
• monitor the general condition and take preventive measures in time (knock out dust, remove traces of dirt from the covers, vacuum the sofa).

Despite the observance of all these measures, the sofa can be damaged if children and guests of an apartment or house are inaccurately treated. Therefore, you need to know how to remove stains from the upholstery.

It is advisable to use covers on the sofa.

What are the most common contaminants?

Upholstery undergoes a lot when using a sofa. Even if you are clean, the furniture will still leave dust from clothes, traces of sweat and sebum. You have become a habit, sitting on the couch watching your favorite show or TV series, to have something to eat. And if there is nowhere in the room to accommodate guests, they, of course, will sit on the sofa. After their "invasion", stains from pizza, fat, beer, wine, tea or coffee, and jam will certainly remain.

A favorite place for guests who also like to sit on the sofa at the set table.

Small children are a separate topic. They can smear the sofa with anything - smear clay, paint with paints, felt-tip pens, chalk, some like to stick gum, grab with chocolate hands, or, who did not have time to reach the toilet, just pee on it. Urine, penetrating into the fabric, leaves not only stains, but also a persistent odor. It can be difficult to get rid of it. Cats and dogs just love to sit on the couch, leaving fur, drool and unwashed paws. Dogs like to lie down on the sofa after a walk.

We clean the dirt on the velor coating with a foaming agent - a small amount should be diluted in 250 ml of water and applied to the stain.

How to clean a sofa with a solution of baking soda, vinegar, glycerin, and dishwashing liquid

The method is suitable for all types of upholstery, except for leather and leatherette.

What do you need

• 1 liter of very warm water + for rinsing;
• 4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda;
• 2-4 tablespoons of glycerin;
• 8 tablespoons of vinegar 9%;
• brush, sponge or cloth.

How to do

Dissolve dish detergent and baking soda in water. Pour in glycerin and mix thoroughly. Then add vinegar and mix well again. Lush foam will appear on the surface of the solution.

Using a sponge, brush or cloth, rub the product into the sofa, paying special attention to the soiled areas. It is better to do it with rubber gloves.

Apply any remaining foam to the surface. Leave it on for 1 hour.

Then clean the sofa with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse it frequently under running water or in a basin.

Clean off the product and any dirt that has come out on the surface until the water is clear from the sponge or cloth.

If the upholstery is fabric

Nowadays, specialist sofa cleaning services are not cheap. But at home, you can get rid of the most difficult stains with almost no expense.

It is advisable to consult a specialist.

Before you start cleaning a fabric sofa, there are a few rules you need to know.

1. The products with which you are going to clean the upholstery made of fabric should be checked on an inconspicuous area so as not to spoil the view.
2. It is not recommended to clean flock coatings with products containing alcohol.
3. Microfiber upholstery is only suitable for dry cleaning. Wet cleaning is used only in exceptional cases.
4. Light surfaces are cleaned with white cloths. If you use colored ones, the surface of the sofa can become stained due to the action of cleaning agents.
5. For cleaning, do not use undiluted vinegar and bleach.

The spots are removed by moving from the edges to the center.

Before starting cleaning, it is necessary to remove the accumulated dust, crumbs, hair left by pets. With a vacuum cleaner with a special furniture nozzle, you need to go through all the corners and joints.

After their "invasion", stains from pizza, fat, beer, wine, tea or coffee, and jam will certainly remain.

The velor upholstery is cleaned with a fiber cloth and vinegar solution (1 tsp per liter of liquid). All movements are made in the direction of the pile. To get tough stains out, it is best to go to a professional.

On a fresh stain, you need to apply napkins, gauze, as they perfectly absorb liquid.

For suede, take a brush with soft bristles. Greasy marks are perfectly removed with alcohol or an eraser.

Tapestry does not tolerate wet cleaning, only vacuuming is suitable, since due to cleaning agents, the coating does not last long, wears out in a short time and changes color. If you can't do without wet cleaning, then the stain is covered with foam.

Traces of wine, marker or pen, they are removed with an alcohol napkin or soaked in vodka or alcohol.

We clean the dirt on the velor coating with a foaming agent - a small amount should be diluted in 250 ml of water and applied to the stain.

If stains appear on the furniture, it is better to try to remove them immediately, do not tighten.

For silk and velvet, powder cleaning is acceptable.

Children can smear the sofa with anything - smear plasticine, paint with paints, felt-tip pens, chalk, some like to stick gum, grab with chocolate hands, or, who did not have time to reach the toilet, just pee on it.

General cleaning rules

Cleaning rules vary depending on what kind of upholstery material. The most important thing is to find the right product for a specific material. But it should also be taken into account that:

• the chair cannot be wetted too much;
• cleaning is carried out regularly, regardless of whether there is serious contamination;
• soft rags and brushes are used;
• the use of abrasive substances, for example, for cleaning dishes, wardrobe trunks is not permissible.

After exposure to the detergent, open the windows so that the furniture is completely exposed to the air. It will be even better if you take it out into the street. It is not forbidden to dry it with a vacuum cleaner or fan.

Folk methods

Simple products for cleaning upholstered furniture were used by our grandmothers. These methods still work. The main folk methods:

• Soda and vinegar
• Soap solution
• Dishwashing liquid
• Knocking out
• Salt
• Hydrogen peroxide

Removing stains from the sofa with folk remedies is very effective.

Soda and vinegar

Every housewife knows these means. These products are versatile and can handle a wide variety of contaminants. They eliminate grease, grease stains, drinks. Using vinegar, you can successfully restore the brightness of the upholstery. This versatility is due to two points:

1. Soda and vinegar are both alkaline and acidic. These two antagonist substances cause different chemical reactions when interacting with contaminants. Acid acts on something, but alkali acts on something.
2. When mixing soda and vinegar, carbon dioxide is released, which aggressively affects the dirt, literally knocking it out of the fibers of the fabric. Carbon dioxide is also good at eliminating odors embedded in the material.

Mixing 2 ingredients allows you to both clean the sofa and neutralize foreign odors.

Cleaning procedure: mix 300-400 ml of water, 100 ml of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of dish detergent in a container with a spray bottle. Then add 1 teaspoon of baking soda there and quickly close. After that, immediately spray the product on the spots or on the entire trim. Wait 5-10 minutes and brush over the fabric with a stiff brush. Then wipe the upholstery with a damp cloth and then dry.

You can sprinkle powder on stains or grease dirt with gruel. After 1–2 hours, remove the mixture from the upholstery.

In order to return the fabric to its former brightness and color, it is also necessary to add 10 ml of ammonia to the solution. This tool still perfectly removes bacteria, fights mold and mildew.

Diluted ammonia is suitable for leather upholstery.

Soapy water

Light dirt and simple stains can be removed with soapy water. Also, the solution will cope with fresh greasy stains. But he cannot remove old dirt, stains from drinks and grease.

Moisten a cloth with soapy water, wipe the stains.

To clean the sofa, rub the soap on a grater, dissolve it in water. The product is poured into a container with a spray bottle and sprayed on the sofa. Then wipe off the dirt with a brush. You can also apply the liquid to a sponge and wipe the upholstery with it.

After 5 minutes, wipe the furniture with a clean, damp cloth.

Dishwashing liquid

With this tool, you can quickly carry out damp cleaning of upholstered furniture and remove small stains. To do this, dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in 1 liter of water and foam the water. Then the foam is collected with a sponge and the upholstery is wiped with it. After that, you need to wipe the upholstery with a damp towel and dry the sofa.

The product does not discolor upholstery.

Knocking out

This method is a great alternative to a vacuum cleaner. This method works especially well on lint-free fabrics that are not easy to vacuum. The advantages of embossing are its simplicity and the fact that it does not damage the fabric dyes.

We cover the entire sofa with a wet cloth and knock out the dust through the fabric with a beater or something else.

There are dry and wet beating. With the dry method, dust from the sofa is removed with a special plastic spatula or any stick at hand. With the wet method, the sofa is first covered with a wet sheet and then knocked out. This method does not allow dust to scatter around the apartment.

The dust will settle on the wet fabric and we will see it immediately.

Salt

Salt can effectively remove grease stains, drinks and grease. It is enough to sprinkle fresh stains with salt, which will absorb the substances. Old stains must be removed with salt gruel.Dilute salt with water to a gruel state and apply it to the stain. After 5 minutes, remove the product and wipe with a wet towel.

After the salt has absorbed moisture, shake off the salt and rinse with ethyl alcohol and then with soapy water.

Cleansing Foam

Foam cleaning works well for velor upholstery. This foam can be prepared from a variety of products:

• Egg white
• Shaving foam
• Detergent

Beat the foam, add salt there and apply it to the upholstery. Leave for 5 minutes and then remove. After that, you need to wipe the fabric with a damp towel.

If the pollution is old, use soapy foam.

Purification with hydrogen peroxide

This substance effectively removes dark spots from light or white surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide is mixed with water in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to furniture using a spray bottle. Leave to act for 2 hours, then wipe the upholstery with a damp towel.

The substance is mixed with water at a rate of 1: 1. The solution should be exposed to contaminated areas within 2 hours.

The choice of folk remedies depending on the upholstery

Cleaning a fabric upholstered product requires caution. It is known that textile sofas can change color during processing, so you should carefully try the detergent on an inconspicuous area.

The structure of the flock and velor sofa does not tolerate aggressive chemicals and oil-based products. Such furniture is perfectly processed with alcohol-free napkins. In no case is it recommended to use hard brushes, aggressive substances for cleaning silk. Plush and velvet fabrics also require careful handling. It is better to work on them with soap suds. Microfiber and tapestry are easy to handle with alcohol. You can also use weak solutions of vinegar, ammonia. Leather upholstery can be cleaned with petroleum jelly or baby oil.

Soda solution is no less popular

It is also actively used by housewives, but with more care. For textile surfaces, soda and salt, formulations with hydrogen peroxide, ammonia are used