Fabric sofas are a regular staple in any living area. It looks great and can be very comfy. But it can be a nightmare to clean too. Since it is made from fabric, spills and stains can be difficult to remove. These handy fabric sofa cleaners can reclaim your favourite seat’s former glory.
We have talked to several upholstery cleaning experts, and this is what they have to say.
Know Thy Sofa
First and foremost, you need to understand what fabric your sofa is made of. Most couches come with a cleaning tag, just like your favourite shirt. Check this tag for the cleaning clues. Then, follow this guide on how to read these codes.
Expect to find any of these four letters on your sofa’s cleaning tags and their meaning.
- W – You can clean the sofa with water.
- S – Instead of water, use a solvent-based cleaner on your sofa.
- WS – You can use either water or solvent-based cleaner on your sofa.
- X – Refrain from using water or solvent-based cleaners. Use only a vacuum cleaner.
You should follow the recommended cleaning methods on the tags, or it could ruin your sofa. Although water may seem harmless, you will regret using it as a fabric sofa cleaner for your solvent-cleaner-only sofa. The water may leave permanent stains on the couch. So, better stick to the tags. They are telling you what is best for your couch.
Fabric Sofa Cleaners for Stains
To clean a stained fabric sofa, you need the following tools and cleaning solutions:
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- Microfiber cloths (these won’t bleed on your fabric sofa)
- A bucket
- Distilled water (the minerals in the tap water can leave residue)
- Dishwashing liquid
- Distilled white vinegar
Always spot-test a cleaning solution on a small, hidden portion of the sofa to see the fabric’s reaction before completing the cleaning.
Basic Steps in Cleaning a Fabric Sofa
- Brush the sofa. Begin your upholstery cleaning by brushing the couch using a stiff brush or a clean white towel. This method will loosen the dried dirt on the fabric.
- Sprinkle it with baking soda. Apply a liberal amount of baking soda to the sofa and leave it for 20 minutes (if you want a sure clean, leave it for an hour).
- You can also make a wet baking soda solution to remove deep-set stains. Either way, you must let it sit on the sofa to absorb any stains fully.
- With the brush attachment, vacuum the soda to remove all the baking soda.
How to Clean a Fabric Sofa with Stains
Cleaning a stained sofa is easy as long as you have the right fabric sofa cleaner on hand. Remember to focus on scrubbing the stained areas and letting them completely dry.
The trick is to use the fabric sofa cleaner based on the recommendations from the cleaning tag. Here are these steps to effectively clean your sofa.
- Prepare an all-purpose cleaner. Create a simple fabric sofa cleaner to tackle the stains.
Mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with one tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Quickly add the baking and cover. The baking soda and vinegar will create a fizzle when combined. - Test a small sofa area with your cleaner for any signs of discolouration.
- Spray the solution on a clean white cloth and gently dab it over the stain. If needed, you can scrub it too.
- Pat your fabric sofa with a dry towel to soak up any remaining moisture. Let the fabric dry by leaving it undisturbed for a few hours.
How to Clean a Fabric Sofa with a Couch Cleaner or Steamer
Professional upholstery cleaning uses a steam cleaner to deep clean and refreshes the fabric sofa. Like any fabric sofa cleaner, spot test on an inconspicuous portion before going full steam.
Here is what you need to do:
- Read the manual for instructions before beginning.
- Vacuum the sofa before steaming to remove the dirt, dust, and other loose particles. It will make it easier to clean the fabric.
- While steam cleaning, make sure you have proper air circulation. Open the windows to prevent the build-up of moisture and residue.
- Leave the sofa to air dry overnight.
- Vacuum again. Give the fabric another round of vacuuming to ensure that any loosened dirt gets removed. Just remember to wait until the sofa is completely dry before doing this.
How to Make Your Polyester Sofa Fresh and Clean
For polyester sofas and other synthetic fabrics, cleaning should be simple.
- Avoid using too many fabric sofa cleaners as they can penetrate and damage the fabric.
- Get a lightly dampened sponge and brush it along the stained area.
- For grease stains, as a small amount of dish soap to cut through the stain.
- Keep the brush strokes light, and avoid pressing or squeezing the sponge.
- Let it dry completely before using it.
Getting the Water Stains Out of Couch
Get to the spill quickly so your sofa will be in good shape. Here is what you need to do.
- Vacuum the spill. Set the vacuum to liquid to suck up as much moisture as possible.
- If there is a residual stain, water is trapped in its fibres and hidden dirt and dust. Use vinegar to break it up. Dilute a small amount in water and spray it lightly on the fabric.
- Blot the spill with a dry towel. It is better to use a microfiber towel as it is more absorbent and holds up to seven times its weight.
Need Help With Your Fabric Sofa Cleaning?
Premium Clean can help you with upholstery cleaning. They use the right fabric sofa cleaners to leave your couch fresh and clean.
Last Updated on March 6, 2024
