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How to Clean a Fabric Sofa Yourself

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March 20, 2024

Everyone loves a comfortable fabric sofa. Not only is it a cosy feature you can use every single day, but it is also a major part of the room decor. To keep this upholstered furniture fresh, comfortable and beautiful at all times, you need regular cleaning. Accumulated dirt and stained areas call for cleaning the fabric couch if you wish to keep it in good shape.

How to clean a fabric sofa is important information to bear in mind. Fabric sofas often have different cleaning guidelines and manufacturer's instructions on whether to use a steam cleaner or only a vacuum cleaner; whether solvent-based cleaners are safe or whether you should go with a different cleaning method to remove stains and deeper clean the sofa fabric.

There are also universal handy tips for cleaning couch fabric that you can use to great success. Let's delve deeper into those tips! And of course, if you don't have the time to do all of this, you can always give us a call and let us handle it for you. We provide affordable upholstery cleaning services in all of London.

Dealing with surface dust on fabric sofas

One of the tasks you have to do regularly is to keep dust off the entire sofa and every couch cushion. To that end, there are two simple methods: vacuuming and brushing.

Vacuuming the sofa

Regular vacuuming of the sofa is one of the simplest cleaning methods to remove surface dirt and other debris. By vacuuming at least once a week, you can keep the area free of pollutants to a large extent. The upholstery dusting brush attachment is your best friend in this endeavour. The so-called upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner will make short work of dust particles on the surface of the sofa. With it, you can also vacuum the sofa cushions. Swap for a crevice tool to vacuum hard-to-reach spaces between the seats.

Dusting with a brush

You can also dust the sofa with a dry brush. Make sure the brush has soft bristles, or it can damage the fabric. Be gentle with cushion covers if they are made of a delicate material. You don't want to damage it by being too rough with a stiff brush. It only takes a few seconds to go over the entire couch with a soft brush, but it helps keep spoils under control on the fabric sofa. You can also use a lint roller to remove pollutants. It is especially helpful against pet hair.

Eliminate odors with baking soda

When you gain some insight into how to clean a fabric sofa, you must also remember some clever ways to deodorise it. Unpleasant smells can make an otherwise fine space to relax rather unwanted. Thankfully, there is an easy fix involving baking soda. This product has great odour-absorbing qualities and it is easy to use on any kind of fabric sofa. Simply apply baking soda on the surface and let it sit for a few hours. It will absorb the unpleasant smell. Then, you just need to vacuum it. A good way to improve on this deodorising technique is to add a few drops of essential oil and mix them into the baking soda before applying it to the sofa. That way it will not just absorb the unpleasant smells, but also introduce the fragrance of the essential oil to the area.

How to clean fabric sofa cushions?

Most sofa cushions require a gentle touch. You can easily run the vacuum over their surface when you are cleaning your sofa and that will do it for the most part. If they have removable covers, you can easily toss them in the washer to give them a good clean with a mild detergent. Let them air dry afterwards and return them to the sofa. If you notice stains on your cushion, you can treat them with the appropriate stain removal cleaning solution. Make sure you check the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions before you begin cleaning.

Steam cleaning your sofa

You should only ever steam clean your sofa if it is marked safe for such treatment. You should also read the cleaning instructions and cleaning code, as not every type of fabric qualifies for this kind of cleaning. It needs to be able to withstand the water and heat from the steaming function of the cleaner. When you are ready to proceed, there are a few steps in the process:

  • Vacuum the sofa in preparation for cleaning. It is best to remove surface pollutants before that.
  • Deep cleans with a steamer are best reserved for hot and sunny days. You want to open the windows and doors so the furniture can dry completely.
  • If the steam cleaner uses a microfibre cloth, make sure to change it halfway through when it gets dirty.
  • Use a fan directed at the sofa after the cleaning session and ventilate the room to the best of your ability to air dry the upholstery.
  • Do not use the sofa until it has fully dried.

Dealing with stains

Stains possibly represent the greatest danger to your fabric sofa. Experts agree that the best way to remove stains is to tackle them as soon as possible. Whether it is pet stains or spilt drink and food you should address spills immediately.

Easy steps to remove stains

The first thing you should do with a stain is to blot up excess moisture with a dry cloth. Your first instinct may be to just rub the area, but instead you should gently blot it by applying soft pressure. This will absorb parts of the liquid from the upholstery onto your clean cloth.

Next, apply a little warm water with a spray bottle and continue blotting with a paper towel or microfibre cloth. If that doesn't work, you may have to employ a more serious solvent based cleaner.

Using a commercial cleaning solution on stains

For stubborn stains, you may not have much success with just blotting the sofa with water. There are plenty of cleaning solutions, such as water based cleaners and solvent based cleaners. If you want to use them, you should first know whether they are right for your sofa. Check the care instructions on what specific cleaners you can use before you apply that solvent based cleaner.

You should always perform a spot test on a small inconspicuous area of the sofa. Apply a very small amount of cleaner to see how it will react with the fabric of the sofa. If any damage occurs, it will be in a small and hidden area and at least you will know not to use it. If it is fine, you can keep the product and use it in emergencies to tackle stains. That said, it is always a good idea to have a specialised product ready in case of a stain emergency.

Make sure to always follow the guidelines on the product, such as what amount to use, how long to let it sit on the stain and what to remove it with. Normally, you'd just blot the area with a damp cloth and repeat till the stain is gone. Some products may call for a steam clean afterwards.

Hire professional cleaning services

professional cleaner vacuuming a fabric sofa in london

Hiring professional fabric sofa cleaners gives you the best treatment for your furniture. There are benefits to it that extend beyond simple aesthetics. It is particularly helpful when you lack sophisticated gear and cleaning products that can deal with pollutants and tough stains.

Quick reminder, during our end of tenancy cleaning service, we only provide vacuum cleaning for sofas and upholstery. If you need deeper cleaning, let us know.

Benefits of hiring professional sofa cleaners

Extend the life of your sofa

Deep cleaning done by professionals can extend the life of your current sofa. You get to enjoy its comfort and good looks for more as the service can remove all pollutants and keep the fabric in top shape.

Professionals have the knowledge and the tools for the job

If you are not sure what products to use to treat stains and not sure what the sofa's care label is, you can safely leave the task to professionals. They take all of these things into consideration about your fabric sofa and use the best methods and cleaning products to clean stains to the best outcome. They also have specialised tools and gear, such as a fabric shaver and various sofa cleaning machines to keep your furniture in the best shape.

Saves you valuable time

By hiring a professional cleaning company in London, you can rest easy knowing you don't have to worry about cleaning your fabric sofa. They will be done with it in no time for you to enjoy the result of their work.

Caring for and cleaning your sofa does wonders for the levels of comfort it provides and spending your leisure time there. Follow the advice on the best practices to keep the upholstery clean and in perfect condition and you will love your sofa even more.

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