You might not think about it often, but your sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. It’s where you relax after a long day, watch your favorite movies, and host gatherings with family and friends. That’s why it’s so important to keep your sofa clean and in good condition. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to do. Below are a few easy-to-follow sofa cleaning tips for keeping your sofa looking and smelling great.
1- Getting Started: What You will Need for Sofa Cleaning
Before you get started on your sofa cleaning, it’s important to gather the necessary supplies. This includes a soft brush, a white towel, baking soda, fabric protectant and vinegar.
For starters, take the brush and use it to loosen the dirt and debris that’s built up on your couch. Once that’s done, brush the couch again with the clean white towel to remove the excess dirt and particles.
Next, mix together baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. Apply this paste to the couch and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Finally, mix together vinegar, water and dish soap in a spray bottle and spritz it over the fabric of your couch. Let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it dry with a clean cloth.
2- Check the Cleaning Code on Your Sofa
Even if you don’t think your sofa needs a deep clean, it’s always a good idea to check the cleaning code. This code is usually located underneath the seat cushions, or on a tag attached to the sofa.
The code will be one of three letters: S, SW or WS. “S” indicates that the sofa must be cleaned with solvents (usually dry cleaning), while “SW” and “WS” denote cleaning with a dry solvent or wet method.
Knowing the code will help you decide on the best way to clean your sofa. Sofa cleaning can be a daunting task, but following these tips will make it a little bit easier.
3- Get Ready to Clean
Now it’s time to get down to business. The first step is to vacuum the surface of your sofa to remove any debris and dirt. Make sure you use a gentle brush attachment so you don’t damage the fabric.
Once you’ve vacuumed, it’s time to mix up your cleaning solution. For this, you’ll need a mild detergent and some hot water. You can either use a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent. I prefer the steam vacuum because it gets deep down into the fabric and removes any stains or odors.
Once you have your cleaning solution ready, start by spot cleaning any problem areas. If the sofa is really dirty, start by cleaning a small section at a time and then move on to the next section. Be sure to use a clean cloth for each section so you don’t spread the dirt around.
4- Vacuum Away Dust and Dirt
One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your sofa looking and smelling fresh is to give it a weekly vacuuming. This will help remove the dust and soil that builds up over time. Be sure to use the hand vacuum or brush attachment so you can get into all those nooks and crannies. Don’t forget to vacuum beneath the cushions as well! This will help get rid of any debris and dirt that might have worked its way into your sofa yuck!
5- Spot Treat Stains and Spills
Want to get those pesky spills off your sofa? Her is how. Begin by using the old faithful club soda and water combo to gently remove the stain. Remember to dab rather than rub, as it may further spread the stain or damage your fabric.
If that doesn’t do the trick, try combining a half cup of white vinegar, a teaspoon of natural liquid soap, and two cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain and leave it be for 10 minutes before blotting with a clean cloth. Rinse well with cool water once done and avoid rubbing vigorously as it may cause more damage.
For deep-set stains, use a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment and gently work it into the fabric to loosen dirt and debris. Be sure not to press too hard when you do so, as this could push ground particles further into your sofa’s fabric. Again, after vacuuming your couch you might want to apply some cool water and dab until dry if needed.
6- Refresh With a Fabric Protectant
Once you’ve rid your sofa of all the surface dirt, it’s time to refresh it with a fabric protectant. It’s easy to make your own – just mix together equal parts vinegar and water, and add a squirt of dish soap.
Attach the mixture to a garden hose or spray bottle and lightly spray over the fabric. Then, using an attachment with a brush nozzle, agitate the fabric for a deep clean. This will help remove any pollen, dust mites, or pet dander that may have gotten into your sofa without you realizing it.
Once you’ve finished cleaning and protecting your furniture, another way to make sure it stays sparkling is to sprinkle on some baking soda. Baking soda is great for absorbing grease and odors from fabrics, just give it around 30 minutes to do its job, then carefully vacuum up the excess for furniture that looks (and smells) as good as new!
Take Away
So whether you have a leather, fabric, or suede sofa, these sofa cleaning tips will help you keep it looking and smelling great. And the best part is that they’re all easy to follow, so you can get started right away!
