Fabric sofas that are the center of activity in your home tend to attract a lot of dirt and debris. Let's be honest - fabric sofas can be an attractive addition to any home, but they're hard to keep clean. However careful we are, the crevices are magnets for crumbs, dust, and hair, and the cushions magically trap coffee spills, water stains... In this article, we will show you how to clean fabric sofa the right way and some tips to keep them clean.
Learning how to clean fabric sofa is necessary
Here are 4 main steps on how to clean fabric sofa you need to follow:
Prepare your sofa for deep cleaning by vacuuming the entire surface, the crevices, and under the cushions. Using a stiff brush with natural bristles, remove old stains or dirt. Vacuum that area again.
Fabric furniture has removable covers that can be washed in the machine. If that is your case, you can skip straight to the spot-cleaning section after washing.
The majority of couches aren't made entirely from natural fibers - they're usually blended. Furthermore, they can be more expensive, and they require a bit of special attention (what doesn't?). Popular natural textiles include:
Before you begin cleaning, you must know what kind of textile you are working with, since some synthetic materials have very specific cleaning instructions. Types of synthetic textiles your furniture can be made out of:
There is another thing we could skip saying, but we won't, and that is that you should read the manufacturer's label.
If you thought learning how to clean fabric sofa with natural textiles was challenging, wait until you learn about microfiber. As it can be easily damaged if the wrong detergent is used, it usually has the most specific instructions. Nonetheless, manufacturers put letter coding on the upholstered furniture regardless of what type of textile it is made of. These are the care labels that you can find and what they mean:
It wouldn't be a cleaning tutorial without mentioning baking soda. Baking soda is a key ingredient in DIY cleaners, as many of you already know. You can easily apply it on various surfaces, including your upholstery, and it's generally safe to use. Always test on an area that isn't noticed first.
Let the couch sit for about 30 minutes after coating it with a little baking soda. Don't use too much baking soda, you only need a light coating. Once that's done, vacuum it up with the brush attachment. Tada! As a result, you'll have a deodorized and gently cleaned couch. You may repeat this when your upholstered furniture needs refreshing.
Use eco-friendly solutions before using chemicals
In spite of all the work you just did, you may still find some stains and ambiguous-looking spots.
It is important to work quickly with fabrics, especially natural ones. As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to get rid of them. Since all mishaps happen suddenly, you often have to DIY your cleaning products. And as always – spot-test on a hidden area first!
It might seem impossible to deep clean your sofa on your own. Since you're here, we know you're not a quitter, so here are some methods to help you.
You can also hire cleaners to professionally deep clean your upholstered furniture while you sit back and relax. In this way, you won't have to do all the hard work and your furniture won't get damaged.
Combine 3 tbsp of white vinegar and 1 tbsp of mild dish soap (the amount can vary) in a bowl half-full of warm water. You can use a clean cloth or sponge to dab it on the stain and treat it one by one. Avoid soaking the furniture. Be gentle, as you don't want the stain to seep into the fabric. If the stain is gone, wipe it away with a clean cloth. Otherwise, repeat the process. Let it dry naturally. There is no need to use blow-driers or heaters, as these can cause more harm than good.
Cleaning larger surfaces of upholstered furniture might require something else. Pour a cup of warm water, half a cup of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap into a clean spray bottle. Shake it well. Spray the surface of the couch from 30 cm away, then wipe it off with a clean cloth to remove any excess solution residue. Allow it to air dry. The vinegar smell goes away as soon as it dries, leaving behind just a clean, freshened-up couch. Generally, this method is most suitable for synthetic textiles with the exception of suede and, as we already mentioned, some types of microfibre.
Did you think we were done with baking soda? Of course not! Make a paste with baking powder and water and you have a two-ingredient homemade solution to remove stubborn and greasy stains. Put a little bit on the stain and gently rub it in with your fingertip or a clean cloth. Do not scrub, since it will push dirt deeper into the textile, making it a larger problem than it should be. Let the paste sit for 15 minutes. Once the soda has absorbed the grease, brush it off or vacuum it with the bristle brush attachment.
It's essential to determine if the upholstery or carpet cleaning product you have at home was a water-based cleaner or solvent and whether it's appropriate for your furniture piece. Remember the W, S, S/W, X code scheme we discussed above? If you don't see discoloration or other problems, spot-treat an inconspicuous area and follow the cleaning instructions on the label. Once the piece has been treated, you can soak up any residual moisture with a towel, then let it air-dry.
Keep your sofa clean all the time by vacuuming regularly and spotting spills immediately, so they don't stain the fabric. Make sure your pets don't sit on the sofa or give them a blanket so they have a place next to you whenever you sit down. You can also treat your upholstered furniture with a fabric protection product (again, make sure it is suitable for your piece).
Make sure you use white or at least light-colored cloths when cleaning light-colored sofas. As a result, no textile dye will transfer from the cloth to the upholstery you are cleaning.
To take it a step further, use distilled water when cleaning since tap water can leave residues behind, which in some cases can resemble stains.
Here are all the steps on how to clean fabric sofa at home for anyone in need. If the workload is too much for you or if you don't have time to learn all the ways how to clean fabric sofa, don't hesitate to call Ocean Cleans - a professional cleaning company in Singapore - via +65 6334 3309 and let them do it for you.
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