We spend a lot of time on our sofas, so they are bound to get dirty and stained from time to time. Fabric sofas or leather sofas are extremely popular for their comfort and durability, but the best-maintained fabric will need occasional cleaning to keep it in good condition.
Most sofas should be thoroughly cleaned once or twice a year, but fabric sofas can sometimes require a little more maintenance, including vacuuming once a month and steam cleaning and stain removal as soon as possible.
You may need some help to prevent any spills or permanent stains on your sofa, so today we will discuss how to clean fabric sofas or leather sofas and make them look like new.
How to Clean Your Sofas
The best way to clean sofa stains is to wipe the sofa with the right cleaning solution (depending on the fabric). Concentrate on scrubbing the stained areas and then let the sofa dry.
The following techniques should be followed when cleaning each type of fabric, but make sure you check the cleaning tags and products in a hidden area before applying them to the entire sofa.
How to Clean a Fabric Sofa
- Brush the sofa – Prepare by brushing the sofa with a clean white towel or a stiff brush. This will loosen everything that has dried on the sofa.
- Apply baking soda – Sprinkle the whole sofa with baking soda and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. (You can leave it there for up to an hour.) Using a brush attachment, vacuum the sofa to remove baking soda.
- Make a sofa cleaner – While using the sofa, make this simple cleaner to deal with the remaining stains. Combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 cup warm water and a small spray bottle. Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle. (Combining baking soda and vinegar will create lots of bubbles!)
- Rub the sofa with another fabric – Spray the cleaning solution on a white cloth and gently rub any stains with the cloth. Alternatively, wipe the entire sofa with a solution for a good deep cleaning.
- Allow the fabric to dry – Refrain from sitting on the sofa for a few hours or until the sofa is completely dry.
How to Clean a Microfiber Sofa
Rubbing alcohol is your friend when you are cleaning the microfiber sofa. As we mentioned before, try different places before using anything to clean the whole sofa and don’t forget to check the solution.
- Rub using rubbing alcohol – Act according to the paragraph, rub alcohol and spray on a spot and then scrub with a white or light colored sponge (so that no color is transferred to the sofa when you scrub). You will see that the spots have risen on the sponge.
- Brush in circular motions – The sofa should be brushed quickly, as alcohol evaporates quickly. Once it dries, the stains can settle again. Use a dry scrub brush to brush the sofa in a circular motion to fluff the fabric.
- Repeat the process with distilled water – If there are any water stains on the sofa (and your sofa allows both water and solvent to clean), follow the same procedure using distilled water. After the fabric dries, spray, scrub, and then brush.
How to Clean a Leather Sofa
Leather sofas open up a whole list of cleaning options, as leather comes in a variety of finishes. When deciding how to clean a leather sofa, keep in mind that the methods will vary significantly from one sofa to another.
These cleaning instructions are specifically intended for cleaning protected skin, which is the most common and easier to clean than other types of skin.
If you have an unprotected leather sofa, check out the company’s tips for cleaning. Lastly, be sure to check the cleaning labels and cleaning products in a fuzzy place on the sofa first.
- Start by vacuuming the sofa, including all the corners and folds.
- Wipe the entire sofa with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- Make a clear solution by combining equal parts water and white vinegar in a small bucket. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution so that it stays moist but not wet, then wipe the sofa, wash the cloth regularly.
- Dry the sofa with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- Be sure to use a leather conditioner on your sofa every six to twelve months to keep the skin soft.
How to Steam-clean Your Sofa
Another great way to clean a sofa is with a steam cleaner. These machines only clean with heat and water, so they are suitable for many fabrics. Choose a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment to make the job easier. Follow the instructions on how to use the machine and handle it carefully to avoid burns.
Keep in mind that the heat increases, so don’t lean on increasing the heat when you use it. It may be easier to pull the sofa away from the walls in a clean place so that you can easily work around it.
To clean a fabric sofa with a steamer, start by removing the cushions and steaming one side at a time. Allow each side to dry before flipping them and clearing the other side. This prevents them from getting a damp smell.
After that, clean the sofa frame. Check to make sure each area has been thoroughly cleaned and nothing has been overlooked. Allow the sofa to dry before returning the cushions. You can speed up the task by placing a fan nearby.
Conclusion
If your fabric sofa gets a stain it is not always a disaster for you. However, you can easily do this with some specific materials, which are probably already in your kitchen. The simple sofa cleaning methods described above can be great for you.
