Whether it’s the family movie night or a solo midnight snacking session, the living room sofa is always reliable. It welcomes different family members throughout the day and often doubles up as the permanent bed for our beloved pets. Naturally, bits of popcorn, some pet hair, and the TV remote batteries may get stuck between the sofa cushions—things we’re too busy to clean.
Your sofa, a couch potato’s haven, also deserves some TLC. Whether you have a fabric, leather, or microfiber sofa, a pat-down and vacuum once in a while can keep it looking fresh, inviting, and stylish. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to clean your sofa or couch to ensure that you give some extra loving to this indispensable part of your home.
Step 1: Vacuum the sofa
Before you get all knees into dismantling the cushions, it’s best to vacuum the part of your sofa fabric that is exposed to dust. For best results, you must use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment. Remember to get the vacuum hose into the crevices, in between cushions, and along the seams for a deep clean. If your couch has detachable cushions, flip them and vacuum the underside too.
Step 2: Remove lint and fur
This step is for households with fur babies. Vacuum cleaners are often ineffective at cleaning pet hair from the sofa surface. Systematically drawing a lint roller across the couch surface can rid it of fur and other small particles.
Step 3: Check the cleaning code
The material of your couch determines the appropriate cleaning code. Cleaning codes are mentioned on product tags, with specific information like whether you can use water in the cleaning process. In Singapore, the usual sofa cleaning codes are as follows:
- “W” for water-based cleaners
- “S” for solvent-based cleaners
- “W/S” for either
- “X” for vacuuming/light brushing only
Step 4: Wipe the sofa frame
Cleaning the frame is just as vital as the couch material. Whether you have a wooden frame or metal frame, a simple dishwasher and water solution can be used for a quick wipe. Remember to use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the back of the handles, the underside of your sofa, and other exposed sections.
Step 5: Deep cleaning and stain removal
No matter how efficiently scrubbed the sofa at the time of food or drink spillage, some acts of clumsiness leave behind a stain. Sofa deep cleaning is the right opportunity to scrub off these stubborn marks and restore your couch’s shine.
The treatment solution for deep cleaning and sofa stain removal depends upon the type of material.
- For fabric sofas, use a solution of dishwashing soap and warm water to gently scrub the entire surface. Put slightly more effort into the stains to break them down and erase their existence.
- For leather couch, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water for a wipe, followed by light drying with a clean cloth.
- For microfiber sofas, you can use rubbing alcohol sprayed across the surface in small quantities. Follow this up with regular brushing. Make sure the brush is soft-bristled to avoid damage.
Step 6: Deodorize the couch
Sofas are exposed to a lot of dirt and sweat. A dirty one has a distinct musty smell that can make hanging out in the living room unpleasant. While cleaning will mostly take care of the root cause of this smell, it won’t hurt to go the extra mile to deodorize.
Baking soda is the ultimate kitchen supply, suitable for almost all cleaning chores. Sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on the couch surface and letting it sit for 10-20 minutes can help absorb foul smells. You can vacuum the sofa right after.
Step 7: Bug Spray
Applying eco-friendly bug spray is the best solution to keep bugs and ants from finding refuge in the crevices of your couch. It is the perfect way to top off your sofa with deep cleaning.
Step 8: Let it dry
Drying is a fundamental step in any upholstery cleaning tutorial and must never be skipped. Drying out your safa will remove extra moisture that may have seeped in during the cleaning and eradicate the possibility of mold. Just open your windows, turn on the fan for the next few hours, and enjoy lounging on a refreshed sofa afterwards.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your sofa clean not only improves its appearance but also extends durability. By following these simple sofa cleanup steps, you can maintain freshness and hygiene in your living space. Moreover, prioritizing weekly sofa vacuuming can help retain its original glow.
If you’re too busy to fit in a sofa deep cleaning in your schedule, worry not; you can book professional sofa cleaning at affordable prices from Fixlaa, here.
For more tips on how to care for your leather or fabric sofa, continue to follow our home care advice on Fixlaa.
