We spend a lot of time on our sofas, so they are bound to get dirty and stained from time to time. But the trouble comes when we have to do sofa cleaning! 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.
When to Do Sofa Cleaning?
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.
Some of the early signs that your sofa needs immediate cleaning are as follows:
- Foul Odors: If you detect any unpleasant smell coming from your sofa, it is a sign that sweat, food particles, or bacteria have built up in the fabric.
- Clear Discoloration or Grease Smudges: Constant contact with body oils and sweat can make some areas on your sofa appear darker or shinier.
- Allergy Symptoms: If you or anyone in your family starts sneezing more often around the sofa, then it may be carrying a lot of dust.
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.
- If the fabric of your sofa is made from delicate materials such as linen, silk, or wool blends, then you should avoid using vinegar or water-based cleaning products. Instead, you should go for a solvent-based dry cleaner that will evaporate quickly and will not leave water stains behind.
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.
- After cleaning, you can sprinkle some cornstarch or a fabric-safe deodorizing powder over the entire microfiber surface. After that, you should leave it for an hour and vacuum it up later. This will help absorb any lingering odor and leave the sofa smelling fresh.
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.
- Make sure to avoid using bleach-based cleaners, ammonia, or any type of harsh detergent. All of these may lead to the cracking or discoloration of the leather. Also, steer clear of soaking the leather in water. This is because excess moisture can warp or shrink the material over time.
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.
Leather sofas open up a whole list of cleaning options, as leather comes in a variety of finishes. 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.
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.
- 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
Some Safety Tips You Should Follow When Using a Steam Cleaner
First and foremost, you should always ventilate the room. This is because steam cleaners release moisture into the air. So, keeping your windows open will prevent mold from growing.
When you are using a steam cleaner, you should only use distilled water. Generally, tap water contains minerals which raises the chances of clogging the steamer.
Lastly, you should avoid over-steaming your furniture. Too much steam can saturate both the fabric and padding. This may lead to mildew. Instead, you should steam quickly and not focus on one spot too much.
How to Maintain a Clean Sofa?
Cleaning your sofa is not everything. You should also make sure to maintain it. You can do it by:
- Vacuuming weekly to remove any dust particles and food crumbs.
- Using sofa covers. This is mainly helpful for pet owners and people with children to protect the sofa from sudden spills.
- Flipping and rotating your cushion to ensure even wear on all sides.
- Wipe any spills immediately. This will ensure that it does not leave any stain behind.
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.
FAQs
Do I need to hire anyone for sofa cleaning?
There are dedicated cleaning services available to clean your sofa, but you do not need them often. If your sofa is unusable to sit in fresh condition, you need help from professional cleaners. But other times, you can use fabric, cleaning agents, and brushes to clean the sofa on a regular basis.
Does cleaning the sofa affect its warranty?
Cleaning a sofa will affect its warranty only when you damage any parts or the fabrics by external force. Sofa manufacturers like HATIL provide 1-year warranty facility if there is any manufacturer defect. But they won’t cover for something that happened through negligence of the user.
What type of sofa does not need cleaning?
Leather sofas need less cleaning work as they have smooth surfaces. If you do not have anything fallen of a sofa, you may not have to clean it often. But fabric sofas contains too much dust and dirt, so there should be regular sofa cleaning.
