How to Clean Upholstery

The sofa is the centrepiece of any living room. For that reason, it’s also why it gets soiled the most frequently and easily. Fear not, as in this article you will learn how to maintain and spot treat your precious upholstery.

So if you:

• Have a light coloured sofa which is starting to look a little dirty;
• You want to spot clean your sofa and recliners, but don’t what kind of solution to use;

Then read along!

How to prepare sofa upholstery for cleaning

Check the label

Before starting any kind of cleaning, you need to know what material your sofa is made out of. Based on this knowledge you can determine the appropriate cleaning method. The label is usually located either under a cushion or at the edge of the sofa. In some cases underneath the item.

How to remove stains from upholstery

Always tackle individual stains before you start the general upholstery cleaning.

Blot

Never rub any fresh stains into the fabric. That will make them that much harder to remove later on. Instead, blot and then blot some more.

For fresh liquid spills, such as wine or juice, blot as much as you can with paper towels.

Solids such as cream or mayonnaise should be carefully lifted away with the edge of a dull knife. If you have dried spills, loosen them up with a soft-bristled brush.

Prepare cleaning solution

If your upholstery allows cleaning with a water-based solution, then mix some dishwashing liquid and warm water in a cup, then pour the mixture into a small bowl.

Clean the stain

Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently blot the stain. Always use a clean side of the cloth, so the dirt would get transferred on it and not the other way around.

Rinse and dry the stain

Now you have to blot away any cleaning solution that might be left in the area you just cleaned. It’s easy, just dip a clean sponge in water and blot the cleaning solution. Give it time to dry on its own before proceeding to the next steps.

How to remove smell from sofa

Fabric sofas are more permeable than leather and vinyl ones, so they absorb smells more easily. Unless the furniture is heavily soiled, it shouldn’t be too much trouble to deodorise.

Remove smell from upholstered sofa

1. Vacuum the sofa of any surface particles and debris;
2. Sprinkle baking soda on the entire sofa surface;
3. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes. For heavy smells, leave overnight;
4. Vacuum with the brush attachment.

Remove smell from leather sofa

1. Wipe away any spills as soon as they happen;
2. Mix a tablespoon of a liquid neutral soap in a cup of warm water;
3. Wipe down the sofa with the solution
4. Wipe the solution off with a clean damp rag
5. Wipe the sofa with a dry rag

How to clean fabric sofa with water-based solutions

Always use white rags to avoid potential discoloration.

Commercial

The market is full of numerous commercial cleaners for both W and SW marked sofas. Whichever you choose, make sure to test it out on a small hidden spot first, to make sure it won’t bleach the sofa colour. And always follow the instructions.

Homemade 

For this method, you would need baking soda and warm water. For tougher stains, you might try adding white vinegar to the mix.

1. Mix one part baking soda and one part water, so it forms a paste;
2. Apply the solution to the stain and leave it for about 15 minutes. During this time, the solution will absorb the stain;
3. Vacuum the spot.

If the stain is still there, repeat this time by adding white vinegar. Mind you, the mixture will froth up as the two ingredients reach with each other.

How to clean fabric sofa with solvents

Commercial

When you have a sofa with the S symbol, go with a water-free solvent. Make sure the room your couch is in is well ventilated. Apply the solvent onto a clean towel and apply it to the surface by blotting the stain. Do not rub. Turn the cloth as you go, so you’re always using a clean part. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Homemade

1. Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with ¾ cup warm water and add ½ tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it onto the stain.
3. Right after that, scrub with a clean cloth in a circular motion.
4. Do this until the stain is gone.
5. Blot the cleaned area to get rid of any excess moisture.

Cleaning Leather Upholstery

Leather chairs and sofas come in a wide variety of finishes and each one requires a cleaning approach of its own. The methods discussed here are mainly for protected leather as it is the most common.

Commercial

Generally, you don’t need a commercial product to clean stains off a leather sofa. However, one might come in handy for tough spots and really soiled areas. All you need to do is apply a small amount of leather cleaning solution to a towel and gently rub the dirty area. Afterwards wipe away the dirty foam and leave the spot to dry. That’s it.

Homemade

1. Vacuum your sofa to get rid of any surface dirt which can scratch the leather.
2. Wipe the sofa surface with a dry, clean microfibre cloth
3. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar into a small bucket
4. Wipe the sofa with a rag dipped into the solution. It should be damp, not wet.
5. Wipe the sofa and rinse the rag regularly. Try to use as little liquid as possible.
6. With a clean microfiber cloth, dry the sofa.

If you have a sofa with unprotected leather, see the manufacturer’s suggestions for cleaning. Also, be sure to apply leather conditioner cream every 6 to 12 months, to keep your sofa soft to the touch.

How to maintain upholstered furniture

Need help with cleaning upholstery?

If you feel like spot cleaning your sofa is not your thing and you’d rather spend your time on something else, then book a cleaner with Fantastic Services. The technicians we work with are experienced and always bring their own steam cleaning machines and detergents. All you need to do is point us to the dirty sofa and let us do the rest.

Takeaways

• Always check the label to see what kind of upholstery you have, before cleaning.
• Make sure you treat a stain as soon as it happens.
• Always use the appropriate means for cleaning each upholstery type.
• Maintain the sofa on a daily or weekly basis to keep it fresh for a longer time.

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Do you have your own tips and tricks for upholstery cleaning? We’d certainly like to know in the comment section

Image source: Shutterstock / Africa Studio