How to clean a fabric sofa
IF YOU'RE anything like us you probably love nothing more than relaxing on the sofa.
But if your sofa is fabric it can look worse for wear pretty easily, but don't worry - it turns out there's a quick and simple way to keep it clean.
How to clean a fabric sofa
When it comes to cleaning fabric furniture - it can be a tricky and if your don't know what you're doing you could even make the problem worse.
But our step-by-step guide will make cleaning your fabric sofa a breeze and won't cause any damage.
1. Check the fabric type
The first and most important step when it comes to cleaning your fabric sofa is to check what type of material you're dealing with.
Some fabric sofas will have removable covers that you can simply take off - and throw in the washing machine.
However, if yours doesn't don't panic - just check the upholstery for a label, where you can find the necessary cleaning codes.
These codes will tell you the best way to clean your sofa and should look something like this:
- WS – Can be cleaned with a steam cleaner or dry-cleaning detergent
- S – Can only be cleaned with dry-cleaning detergent
- W – Can be cleaned with water or steam
- X – Can be cleaned with a vacuum only - no fluids.
2. Gather your cleaning tools
Your go-to cleaning tool in this case is a sofa cleaning solution - so it's always handy to keep one in the back of the cupboard in case of any messy spills.
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You can buy one in most supermarkets - or even make your own using three parts water to one part white vinegar.
But it's important to make sure that the solution you choose is right for your upholstery - remember to patch-test it on an invisible area before you use it on the whole sofa.
Once you have your cleaning solution you will need to gather together a vacuum cleaner, microfibre cloths, and distilled water.
3. Apply baking soda
This is the easiest step of them all - all you have to do is sprinkle the entire sofa with baking soda.
Then let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
4. It's time to clean
The first step is to take your vacuum cleaner and hoover any dirt or debris and the remaining baking soda from the fabric.
Then dampen your microfibre cloth with your preferred cleaning solution and begin to gently clean the fabric.
Make sure not to scrub or rub too harshly - as this can damage the fibres.
The next step is then to take a fresh microfibre cloth and moisten it with distilled water - and begin to clean.
This will ensure any remaining cleaning solution or soap is removed.
Then, taking another dry microfibre cloth, blot the fabric for a final time.
Then all you have to do is let the sofa dry - a top tip is to point a fan on the area to speed up to process and ensure the fabric dries completely.
How to get stains out of a fabric sofa
We've all been there - you've sat down on your sofa with your favourite food or drink, turned on the TV, and before you know it you've accidentally split something.
But before you panic - the good news is you can remove these stains and leave your fabric sofa looking brand new once again.
And here's how - all you have to do is follow our simple step-by-step guide.
1. Find the right cleaning solution for your sofa
The worst thing you can do when tackling a tough stain on your fabric sofa is to use bleach - as this may cause the fabric to discolour and be be expensive to fix.
Opt for a cleaning solution instead - check the label on the upholstery for any recommended products or cleaning advice.
Always make sure to test the solution on an inconspicuous area before applying the solution onto the stain - this will avoid any risk of damaging the fabric upholstery.
If you're choosing to make your own cleaning solution - take a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, white vinegar, baking soda, and warm water and mix them together.
The mixture should froth up as the baking soda and vinegar react with one another - then you're ready to apply this to the fabric.
2. Find the right cleaning tools
This is an obvious but important step.
When you notice a stain, your first reaction might be to grab any sponge or cloth from the kitchen.
However, this could make the stain worse - instead use a microfibre cloth.
This type of cloth will ensure no fibres are damaged when removing any unwanted stains.
3. Don't scrub
The best method of removing stains is to take a microfibre cloth, add a little bit of your cleaning solution - and blot.
You can also apply your preferred solution directly to any stains or smudges that you can spot on your fabric sofa.
Make sure to be gentle when cleaning the stain - scrubbing too harshly could make the stain worse and even cause permanent damage to the fabric.
Speaking to Architectural Digest, Mallory Micetich of Angi said: “No matter what the material, the more you push it into the layers, the harder it is to lift it off.
"Patting, laying [a cloth] on it and letting it absorb naturally, those are all ways to help ensure that it’s not going to sink in and infect as many layers as possible.”
4. Leave to dry
Once you've tacked the stain in question - don't sit on the sofa.
Make sure you leave the fabric to dry completely - you could also leave a fan in the area to speed up the process.
5. Wipe the surface
Once the area is dry, take a clean cloth and gently rub the surface of where the stain previously lay.
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This will ensure any leftover residue is lifted away - leaving you with a beautiful stain-free sofa once again.
Whenever in doubt, always contact a professional sofa cleaning service as soon as possible - the longer the stain remains on the sofa fabric, the more difficult, or impossible it is to remove.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps