The sofa is often the focal point of your living room - a place where you can relax, entertain and rest after a busy day. Unfortunately, fabric sofas can accumulate dirt, stains, dust and even odors after frequent use. It's not like clothes that can be easily washed, so it can be tricky to clean a fabric sofa when it gets dirty. But that's okay, if you know how to clean a fabric sofa and learn a few cleaning tips, you can keep your sofa fresh and comfortable. Here are some practical fabric sofa cleaning tips, start cleaning now!
Check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions
Fabric sofas are made from a variety of textiles, such as cotton, linen, velvet, polyester or blends, each of which requires different cleaning and care methods. Failure to follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions may void your warranty or even completely damage your sofa. Therefore, it is necessary to check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions before cleaning.
Understanding the cleaning codes on sofa labels
Usually the sofa will have a cleaning label with a cleaning code or manufacturer's guidelines. Here are the different codes and what they mean:
- W (Water-Based Detergent): This fabric can be cleaned with water or a water-based detergent.
- S (Solvent-Based Cleaners): For this fabric, use a solvent-based cleaner, such as rubbing alcohol.
- WS (Water and Solvent Based Cleaners): A combination of water-based and solvent-based cleaners is recommended.
- X (Vacuum only): Fabrics with this label should only be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a brush; do not use liquid cleaners.
To avoid damaging your expensive fabric sofa, be sure to follow the cleaning code to choose the appropriate cleaning agent and cleaning method. If you can't find the label, you can refer to the instruction manual, which will have detailed cleaning instructions.
Dust Removal
Before you do a thorough cleaning, you need to clean the surface of the sofa from debris and dust. You can use a vacuum cleaner, attach a special upholstery nozzle or soft brush attachment to the vacuum cleaner, start from the top and clean downwards, paying special attention to seams, corners and under cushions where dust tends to accumulate. Of course, if you are diligent enough, you can vacuum the sofa once a week to help keep the sofa clean and prevent dust accumulation, which will cause long-term wear and tear on the sofa.
Spot cleaning stains
The most annoying thing about fabric sofas is hard-to-clean stains. Spilled drinks, food, and pet activities can leave stains on the sofa. Here are some effective ways to deal with different types of stains :
Spilled food or drink
For liquid spills, the sooner you act, the better. Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to gently blot the stain. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this will cause the liquid to penetrate deeper into the fabric , making cleaning more complicated .
For food or drink spills, you can choose to use a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water , soak a rag with this solution, and wipe the stain. Then rinse with a small amount of water and dry with a towel.
Grease or oil
Grease and oil stains can be difficult to remove, but there are some tips.
1. If the oil stain is new, you can first use a dry cloth to absorb the excess oil on the surface.
2. Mix baking soda and warm water in a ratio of 1:2 to make a paste
3. Dip a cloth in the paste and dab on the contaminated area
4. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the reaction to occur.
5. Wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth
6. Dry with a dry cloth and let it air dry
If the oil stain has solidified, you can cover it with baking soda for 30 minutes before processing. For synthetic fiber fabrics, it is recommended to use a small amount of detergent to enhance the decontamination effect. If it turns white after processing, you can use a hair dryer to blow lightly with cold air to help the baking soda crystals fall off.
Ink stains
The ink stains on the sofa may be relatively small, but once they are stained, they are difficult to clean. However, you can apply a small amount of external alcohol to a cotton ball or cloth and gently wipe the stain. You will find that the ink stain will be dissolved and the stain will gradually fade. After wiping it with alcohol several times, wipe it with clean water, and then blow it dry with a hair dryer.
Pet Stains
Pet accidents are also a common problem with fabric sofas. Here are some tips on how to deal with them:
- Soak up moisture: First, blot up any excess moisture with a paper towel or old cloth.
- Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and apply to the affected area. This will eliminate odors and help remove stains.
- Pet-specific cleaner: If the stain persists, use a pet-specific enzyme cleaner to break down the protein in pet urine.
Steam Cleaning Your Sofa
If your sofa is labeled with W or WS, you can use a steam cleaner to clean it. Of course, you also need to pay attention to whether the fabric of your sofa can withstand high-temperature steam. The following are applicable and prohibited situations:
Applicable:
- Removable fabric cover (labeled "steam cleanable")
- Cotton and linen blended fabric (temperature resistance > 120℃)
- Synthetic fiber (polyester/nylon) sofa
- Technical fabrics with anti-fouling coating
Disable:
- Silk/velvet fabrics (high temperatures will damage the fibers)
- Protein-containing fibers (wool/cashmere blends)
- Filling is latex/memory foam
- The fabric has hot stamping/printing technology
Choose a good day, first remove the debris and dust on the sofa, then use steam to clean your sofa. After finishing, open the window to ventilate and let the sofa dry as soon as possible, or you can use a fan to blow on the sofa to help the sofa dry completely.
Remove odor from fabric sofas
As we all know, fabric sofas easily absorb odors. If your sofa has an unpleasant odor, you can remove it according to the following methods.
In addition to cleaning oil stains, baking soda can also help remove odors from the sofa. Sprinkle a large amount of baking soda on the entire sofa and cushions, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and then vacuum the sofa. Then open the window for ventilation. After a set of steps, you will find that the odor on the sofa is hard to smell.
Another method is to mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray lightly on the fabric and let dry. Don't worry about the vinegar smell, it will dissipate as it dries, taking away any unwanted odors.
Alternatively, you can use a fabric-safe air freshener or an upholstery spray designed specifically for sofas to give your couch a pleasant scent.
Wrap up
Cleaning a fabric sofa doesn't have to be difficult, and now you have all the tips and tricks to remove stains and odors from your sofa yourself. No need to hire an expensive professional upholstery cleaner. With these tips, you can enjoy your next relaxing movie night or family gathering on a clean sofa.