One of the most used household items that can be the hardest to keep clean is your living room sofa. Caring for your couch and keeping it clean can seem like a daunting task but fear not for we have compiled a list of seven tips to do just this. Time to get rid of that stain left by that runaway meatball and sweat stains from those particularly warm days, it is time to transform the sofa to its former glory!
Our Top 7 Upholstery Cleaning Tips
Put Your Vacuum to Use
Your number one port of call to remove any loose dirt and fur is to get the good old vacuum cleaner out. A quick vacuum is a good way to begin the process of cleaning your beloved seat and for general maintenance, a regular vacuum is a good way to prevent the dirt from amounting up over time.
Know Your Couch
There are many different types of fabrics in everyday lounge suites and it is important to know what you are dealing with in order to maximize your sofa cleaning efforts! A simple glance at the label will soon give you an indication of the best type of cleaning method for your suite:
- W – This means that a water-based detergent should be used with a steam vacuum.
- WS – This means you have the option to either use a water-based detergent and steam vacuum or else make use of a dry-cleaning detergent.
- S – Use a dry-cleaning detergent ONLY.
- O – O stands for organic and means that cold water must be used to clean it.
- X – This is a bit more delicate and we recommend using a vacuum and a brush alone or else seek professional help.
Baking Soda is Your Friend
Yes, that multi-purpose cleaning saviour can also come in handy in times like this. All you need to do is sprinkle it all over the surface and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then get the vacuum out and vacuum up all the powder. The abrasive quality gets the stubborn dirt off the surface and the powder is also a useful deodoriser as it reacts with foul-smelling particles and instead of masking the smell, like fresheners, absorbs the foul stench.
Avoid Sun As Much As Possible
Direct sun can have a devastating effect on the upholstery no matter what material it is. The sun can fade certain fabrics and tan the leather until it becomes hard and brittle which causes splits. When setting up a room, always be wary of the where the sun is going to be. If the sun is unavoidable then try to keep certain curtains closed during hours of peak sunlight.
Use a Cloth or Rag
Instead of applying a cleaning solution to the couch, a rag or cloth can be used to wipe down the seats. For leather, basic leather polish can be used to just spray the surface and then wipe down to remove dirt and keep the leather in good condition. For other fabrics, a cleaning solution of dish-washing liquid, vinegar, and warm water can be used in a spray bottle to spray the surface and then gently wipe scrub with a rag or cloth.
Using Protection Agent
A method used to try and prevent the gathering of dust and dirt in the first place is to constantly use an invisible protection agent. There is plenty of households, sprays such as Scotchguard which essentially protects the fabric from spills, dirt and any other foreign substances from permanently staining the surface and makes cleaning it a little bit easier.
Allow Surface to Dry Fully
No matter what method you use, it is important that for any clan to be effective, the seat must be able to dry fully before it is used again. Sitting on the surface while it is still wet runs the risk of creating news stains and marks which can be even more difficult to get out of. So be patient and after putting all the hard work in, allow it to dry and then you can enjoy your new clean looking lunge suite all you want!
And there you have it! There are lots of different household methods to keep your sofas looking in top shape but the most effective of all is to look after it and treat it as best you can. But once you do need to clean it, give these methods a go! Also, you can use some of them to keep your house carpet clean too.
