The Right Way to Clean Your Fabric Sofa at Home

Fabric sofas are comfortable, warm, and inviting, but they are not very easy to maintain. Most people don’t know how to clean fabric sofas at home properly.

Whether it’s popcorn crumbs, chocolate fingerprints, or wine stains, the living room sofas have a lot to deal with. While vacuuming is effective for removing dust and pet hair, hard-to-remove stains require more thorough cleaning.

Unlike leather sofas, fabric upholstery should not be cleaned with water. Learn what cleaning experts suggest to do if you want to clean your fabric sofa without damage.

Always Check the Cleaning Codes

Before starting your cleaning task, you have to check the label instructions first. On the label, you will usually find the following cleaning codes:  

W – Use only water or water-based cleaners

S – Clean only with solvents.

S/W – You can use solvents or water-based solutions.

O – only cold water.

X – Do not use water or solvents. Clean your sofa only with a vacuum, or hire a professional.

If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, you risk damaging the fabric and voiding the warranty. Once you know which cleaning method to use, you can move on to the next step.

How to Clean Stained Fabric Sofa

Before proceeding, check whether your sofa has a tag that says “W” or “WS.”

You will need the following cleaning tools

• A vacuum cleaner
• Light-coloured microfiber cloths
• A container
• Distilled water
• Dishwasher liquid
• White vinegar

Note: Before cleaning any material, it is advisable to spot-test homemade solutions on a small, not-so-visible area.

1. First, vacuum your couch to remove dirt or debris.
2. Pour two cups of distilled water into a bowl and add one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon of vinegar.
3. Take a microfiber cloth and apply some cleaning solution to it.
4. You should gently wipe stained areas with a cloth. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing – you can damage the fibres.
5. Use a microfiber cloth damped with distilled water only with no dish soap or vinegar this time. Then, wipe away the soap residue.
6. With a dry microfiber cloth, clean the area again.
7. Use a fan to dry the area.

How To Clean a Smelly Fabric Sofa

There is nothing more unpleasant than a smelly sofa. In order to give your coy sofa a smell makeover – use baking soda. Once applied to your upholstery, baking soda works wonders – it absorbs odours and removes stains immediately. 

For an odour-free sofa, sprinkle baking soda all over the sofa and allow it to sit for at least half an hour. After that, clean the residue with a vacuum cleaner.

This cleaning technique with baking soda is also effective for getting rid of wine stains. But if the wine stain has been sitting for a long time, you may need a commercial cleaning product.

If you fancy DIY projects, prepare your fabric freshener with items that you could already have in your cupboard. All you need to do:

1. Combine white vinegar with water (one cup of each).
2. Mix well, adding half a teaspoon of vegetable glycerine and a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender or peppermint. 
3. Put the solution in a spray bottle, and your natural fabric freshener is ready.

What You Should Avoid When Cleaning Your Fabric Sofa

Whether you are freshening up your sofa as part of your spring cleaning checklist or need to do a stain removal, here are some things you should avoid.

Steam cleaning. Steam cleaning is not recommended for fabric couches because moisture and high temperatures can destroy the fabric. A deep absorption of steam causes excessive saturation of the fabric. As a result, a reduction in size, stretching, or mould and mildew growth may occur. Furthermore, the heat from the steam can weaken the fabric and fade or discolour it.

Using a brush to scrub. You should avoid scrubbing with a brush as it may damage the fabric upholstery. To remove stains, use a microfiber cloth or a sponge instead of a brush, especially if it has hard bristles.

Chemical cleaning detergents. Experts do not recommend using harsh chemicals for fabric sofas. Detergents such as bleach and ammonia may change the colour of the material and overall weaken the fibres, leading to a worn-out look. If you want to clean your fabric upholstery at home, choose mild and gentle solutions instead of bleach or harsh chemicals.

Excessive water use. Moisture that accumulates under the fabric can damage pillars and wooden frames over time. It also causes mould development. It’s best to use a damp cloth or sponge instead of spraying water directly onto stained fabric. In this way, you can control how much moisture is absorbed into the fabric. 

Coloured or dyed cloth. Coloured cloth may seem logical for cleaning your sofa, but it can leave stains if it is wet. The result can be new, more difficult stains to remove. Choose white or light-coloured microfibre cloth to prevent unwanted dying, especially if you have a cream sofa.

Maintenance Tips

• Be sure to check the label on the sofa to prevent permanent damage.
• You should avoid placing your fabric sofa near a window. Sunlight will fade colours over time.
• Use blankets over your sofa to protect it from dirt.
• Regularly clean your sofa to prevent germs, dust and dust mites.
• When you clean the stain as soon as possible, the result will be better;
• The most effective way to protect your fabric sofa from stains or keep it clean is to avoid getting food or drinks near it in the first place.

Count on the Professionals

Even though there are many ways to clean your fabric sofa at home, sometimes you may need professional help. If you are unsure how to tackle the task, consider using upholstery cleaning services in your area. Expert sofa cleaners will choose the best cleaning method to prevent any damage. You will save a lot of effort, and you will know that the process is safe and suitable for your fabric sofa.

Takeaways

• Be sure to check the label on the sofa to prevent permanent damage.
• The first step of the sofa cleaning process is removing dust and debris.
• Test any cleaning detergent on a small area before using it.
• You can eliminate unpleasant smells with baking soda.
• You should not steam clean your fabric upholstery.
• If you don’t know how to clean properly a fabric sofa, call professional cleaners.