Sofas are commonly used as the centerpiece of any living space. The sofa is where many people like to kick back and relax after a hectic working day. However, like most other household furniture, sofas need to be routinely and thoroughly washed.

Failing to clean your sofa can erode the comfort and coziness you, your family, and guests enjoy from it. Furthermore, pet fur, food spillage, and body oils can create an eyesore on your favorite couch. Read on to discover 4 couch cleaning tips that you can pull off using tools and products readily available in your home.

Understanding sofa cleaning tags

Lounge chairs come in various upholstery, from fabric to leather. Get familiar with the cleaning instructions on your sofa’s tag to ensure you apply a cleaning strategy that suits your couch material. Review the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging your lounge chair. Straying away from these cleaning guides will void your warranty contract.

Luckily, most couches come with a tag with four-letter codes to guide homeowners on how to approach the cleaning exercise. Below is what each code implies in regards to cleaning.

• W – Means your couch is okay with water-based cleaning.
• WS – Clears the use of water-solvent cleaners or steam-based vacuum cleaning.
• X – Sofas with this code are not water-friendly. Only vacuum cleaning is appropriate.
• S – implies both dry cleaning and water-soluble detergents are applicable.

Specialists suggest cleaning your sofa chair two or three times a month to prevent mold, grease, and other stubborn stains.

Here’s 4 simple couch cleaning tips

Tools and materials you may need:

• A Dry Brush
• Vacuum Cleaner
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Dishwashing Cleanser
• Microfiber Cloth
• Distilled Water
• Water Bowl

1. Steam cleaning

Steam cleaning is convenient for couches tagged with a W or WS. Always spot test your cleaning, ideally on the backside, to be sure the steam cleaning will not harm your sofa’s fabric. Steam bursts work well on microbes and bugs that hide between the texture stringing.

Go over the entire couch surface, not forgetting the rear and underarms. Homeowners can use an iron box in place of a steam-based vacuum but should make sure only the steam makes contact with the couch surface to avoid burning the fabric.

2. Vacuum cleaning

Using a stiff brush with soft bristles, go over the entire couch surface to loosen up and expose dust particles lodged between the sofa fabric. Calibrate your vacuum cleaner to a low setting, then proceed to absorb all the dust particles you exposed using your dry brush.

Vacuum cleaners work effectively to eliminate minute residue particles that are not reachable by brush bristles. Pay more attention to crevices where fur and food particles accumulate. For cushion cleaning, remove the pad covers and vacuum clean on all sides until there’s a consistent color on your sofa and cushions. If you run into the unfortunate event of a clogged vacuum, we have a guide to help!

3. Profound cleaning to eliminate obstinate stains

Occasionally, vacuum-cleaning can come up short against stubborn stains and built-up grease. For such circumstances, deep cleaning with a combination of potent soaps, dishwashing agents, and vinegar could be the only solution. Prepare a cleaning solution by blending one cup of warm water with a handful of vinegar and a tablespoon of dishwashing soap in a bowl.

Dunk a dry microfiber fabric into your cleaning agent. In a circular motion, gently work on the stained area until the staining clears completely. Alternatively, use a spray bottle to mist the cleaning agent on the affected area, then scour the surface gently using a dry brush until the lounge chair is stain-free.

Dip a dry microfiber cloth into a bowl of distilled water, then rinse off the leftovers of the cleaning solution. Use another set of dry rags to soak up any excess dampness on the sofa fabric. Hasten the drying process by angling your household fan towards the wet couch fabric.

Lastly, consider opening your windows and doorways to allow fresh air to breeze through the living room.

4. Cushion cover cleaning

If your sofa fabric is water-friendly, remove the cushion covers and place them in your washing machine. Alternatively, you can hand wash them until they’re dirt-free before proceeding to hang them out to dry. For non-removable cushion covers, sprinkle some baking soda or a diluted vinegar solution on the stained areas, then wipe off with a dry microfiber cloth.

Bonus couch cleaning tips

Couch feet and other non-textured parts are easy to overlook when performing DIY sofa cleaning. Prepare a mixture of warm water and dishwashing agent and give them a thorough clean using a microfiber rag.

Sometimes, spillage from aromatic foods can leave behind an unpleasant odor on your couch fabric. Dispose of the smell by applying baking soda over the smelly portions. Allow the baking soda to neutralize the smells for a few minutes, then delicately brush off the residue using a light brush.

Can’t quite get the job done? Get professional help.

Sometimes, even the most imaginative DIY home cleaning procedures may be ineffective against persistent stains. Spillage from wine, acidic beverages, and even pet pee can be difficult to handle. In such cases, it is advisable to call in an expert couch cleaner to help you freshen up your sofa. Check your local listings and read through customer reviews to avoid entrusting the job to the wrong hands.