Sofa and other upholstered furniture in your home experience way more dirt, dust, and soil particles than you think. This not only makes your sofa look dull and filthy but also reduces its lifespan by increasing wear and tear.
If you are also worried about your soiled and dull sofa, here is the solution. Check out some easy yet effective DIY sofa cleaning tips that will leave your sofa spotlessly clean.
STEP 01: A Thorough Surface Cleaning
No matter what type of sofa you have, the cleaning always starts with removing surface dirt and crumbs. You can first loosen up the ingrained dirt with a soft-bristled brush.
Then use a handheld vacuum or a regular vacuum with an upholstery attachment. Clean all the surfaces including arms, seating areas, back, cushions, and crevices too. Work in the same direction for materials with a nap.
You can use a high-suction HEPA filter vacuum for better cleaning, pulling out germs, and minute dirt as well.
You may also keep a lint roller handy to remove loose pet hair and dirt.
Once the surface dirt is clear, you can begin spot-cleaning your sofa.
STEP 02: Clear the Stains
Scrape the Solids
If the food spills have particles stuck in your sofa fibres, gently scoop them out with a dull knife. You can also brush the fibres to remove the stuck solids.
Blot The Stain
If the spills are fresh, you need to act quickly and absorb all the moisture with a pile of paper towels. Remember, you don’t have to rub the stains while blotting.
Before you proceed, it is crucial that you read the instruction label on your upholstery:
Code W and W/S allow the use of water-based cleaning.
Code S needs solvent-based dry cleaning.
Code X needs professional care.
STEP 03: All-In-One Spot and Deep Cleaning
Before treating the stains, spot-check the cleaning solutions on a hidden area to avoid the risks of DIY stain treatment.
Soapy Water Solution for W or W/S code
Use warm water and distilled white vinegar with a 1:1 ratio combined with 1 tsp of mild dish soap. Whisk the solution to form suds. Dip a sponge or a cloth in the suds and scrub the spot gently to clear the stains.
Blot the area again with a separate cloth dampened in water to remove soap residue.
This mixture can be used to remove most food and beverage stains.
You can also use this soapy mixture for the overall deep cleaning of your sofas section-wise.
⇒ For Grease Stains or Odours:
Sprinkle ¼th inch layer of baking soda (or cornstarch for oily spills) over the areas and let it work for about 8 hours. After the powder has soaked all the oil and absorbed all the odour, vacuum the dried residue away.
Alternatively, if you have a leather sofa, you can mix olive oil and vinegar in a 3:1 ratio. Spray the mixture over the leather and wipe it away with a damp cloth.
⇒ For Gum or Wax:
Freeze the gum by placing an ice bag over it. Once it thickens, it will be easy to scrape it off with a butter knife. You can vacuum the area or use soapy water to clear the remaining stain.
⇒ For Ink, Wine, or Pet Urine Stains:
Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol over the stain with a cloth. Dab and blot the stain until it vanishes.
Rubbing Alcohol for S code
If your sofa has an S code, it needs solvent-based cleaning. For that, you can use isopropyl alcohol or a ready-made cleaner.
In the case of a store-bought, solvent-based cleaner, it’s best to follow the instructions for cleaning.
For using alcohol, spray the sofa fabric with the alcohol and scrub it with a damp sponge. Once done, give it a quick wipe with a slightly damp cloth.
STEP 04: Deodorization
Even after the stains vanished, the odours remain in the upholstery fibres. You can use baking soda to generously spread a thick layer. Let it cover every area and sit there overnight. You’ll get an odour-free sofa in the morning as you vacuum the powder away.
STEP 05: Fluff it up
The sofa fibres may get stiffened or tangled together after cleaning. You can use a soft-bristled brush or comb to fluff them up. Moving a steam iron over the fabric can also soften its fibre and bring its fluffy texture back.
A Concluding Step
If your sofa seems to be heavily soiled or the stains are too stubborn to handle, you should call upholstery cleaning professionals to do the job. They have effective tools and solutions to give you spotless upholstery without damaging it.
Also, if your sofa has X Code on its label, experts are the only rescue for its cleaning. Give your sofa the deep cleaning it deserves.
