The sofa frequently serves as the living room’s focal point. Sofas are quite prone to get soiled from beverages spilling, crumbs falling, and muddy youngsters playing around your furniture. We all want to make sure that our sofas stay in the greatest condition possible given the expense of replacing one. All of these items have the potential to rub into the fabric’s fibers and cause stains and discoloration.
Of course, covers can be taken off and cleaned, or even replaced (at a steep expense), but doing routine maintenance and knowing what to do in case of a spill may save you a lot of time and money. This fabric couch cleaning guide aims to provide you with regular sofa cleaning advice as well as all the information you’ll need in the case of a sofa emergency. You can prolong the appearance of your sofa by following a few straightforward methods.
Verify The Labels
There are a few things to consider whether you plan to thoroughly clean your couch or are dealing with a stain or accident. First and foremost, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions or directions for sofa maintenance. Check the professional fabric couch cleaning codes on the label for further information on what products may be used and what can harm the upholstery. The codes are as follows for the majority of sofas:
- W indicates cleaner that uses water Upholstery should only be cleaned using water-based products.
- Solvents and water-based cleansers (S/W) Both solvents and water-based cleansers can be used without risk.
- Solvents, or S To clean upholstery, only use a solvent. These are solutions that primarily consist of cleaning agents.
- X denotes the use of solely the vacuum.
Avoid The Urge Of Scrubbing A Stain
Even though it would seem logical to exert some effort and scrape, doing so could drive the staining material further into the fabric and effectively seal it into the sofa. Even while you might be able to remove the stain, vigorous rubbing might harm the texture of the sofa fabric and leave an unsightly mark of its own. Whatever the substance, the more layers you add, the more difficult it is to remove. You may prevent it from sinking in and infecting as many layers as possible by patting it, covering it with a towel, and letting it absorb naturally.
Take The Cushion Covers Off And Clean
If at all feasible, open the zipper and take the couch cushions’ coverings off. Allow some time to “fluff” the batting and cushions. Shake the covers vigorously to remove any loose particles.
The couch cushion coverings should be washed on cold with a moderate cycle. Do not tumble dry; instead, line dry until moist. It is ideal to re-cover the couch cushions with clean covers while they are still damp to avoid shrinking, smooth out creases, and make recovery easier. To avoid crowding, you may wash the entire sofa separately from the cushion coverings if it is covered with slipcovers.
Vacuum The Couch
To remove dirt and debris from the couch surface, use a hand vacuum or your vacuum’s brush attachment. Remember to clean the nooks and crannies where pet hair, food crumbs, and grime collect. Remove the pillows if they are not fastened and clean both sides.
Utilise Baking Soda To Deodorise
Baking soda works well on a variety of surfaces, including cleaning dirt off worktops, deodorizing the fridge, and removing stains. It can also do a little bit of everything on a fabric sofa. Sprinkle baking soda over your sofa’s cushions to freshen up the smell. If the air around your couch cushions begins to smell like pets or other unpleasant odors, this is the ideal cure. A good practice to keep a fresh sofa is to regularly vacuum and clean it with baking soda. For at least 30 minutes, let the baking soda rest and eliminate odors. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to thoroughly clean the whole sofa, picking up the baked-on baking soda and other loose debris.
Vinegar
Another effective professional upholstery cleaning solvent for cleaning odors and stains from surfaces is vinegar. You may use it without concern because it won’t harm your upholstery or leave any stains. Olive oil can improve vinegar’s effectiveness. The procedures listed below will ensure a quick and thorough cleaning.
- Shake a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and olive oil.
- Apply the solution with a sprayer on the stain and scrub with a brush for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to saturate the surface.
- Use a fresh microfiber cloth to wipe away the residue.
Heavy Spot Soiled Areas and Spot Clean Stains
Use a clean cloth dampened with the dry cleaning solvent to remove stains and thoroughly dirty surfaces like armrests. To stop the stain from spreading, start at the boundaries of the dirty area. As the soil is moved, blot the solvent into the polluted area with the cloth and move it to a clean portion of the cloth.
To avoid streaking or discoloration, the entire region of the couch, cushion, and armrest should be cleaned if the stain is particularly significant. Dry cleaning chemicals are quite successful at removing oil-based stains, although they could leave some wine stains or water-based stains behind.
Clean Your Fabric Sofa Using Steam
Now is the perfect time to use any steam cleaners you may have stashed away around your home, perhaps in the closet with the vacuum accessories. If not, a steaming iron with a setting for that would work just as well. Gently steam the whole surface of your sofa, starting in a small area and moving outward.
Your sofa will start to appear, feel, and have a fresher scent—possibly as clean as the day you bought it. You’ve now stirred any dirt and particles in the cloth by steaming, making the last few stages much simpler.