Be it a luxurious velvet or a sleek leather couch, upholstery plays a vital part of the comfort and appeal of our space. However, when it comes to maintaining them, it’s not always that straightforward to clean a sofa. There is a wide range of upholstery fabrics available and so caring for & cleaning them the way they need is crucial.
Read on to learn how to clean different sofa types properly so you can keep your upholstery looking great and lasting long.
The Right Ways to Clean Different Sofa Types
Irrespective of the type of sofa fabric, regular cleaning always consists of basic vacuuming. Before you begin treating any stains or deep cleaning your sofa, make it a point to vacuum it thoroughly. With an upholstery attachment, a surface hoover will help remove loose dirt and debris for effective cleaning.
Next, make a note of these care label codes during further cleaning.
- Code W: Allows wet/water-based cleaning
- Code S: Allows only solvent-based, dry cleaning
- Code W/S: Any solvent or water-based cleaning will work
- Code X: Allows only vacuuming and requires professional attention
Here is how you tackle each type of sofa fabric.
⇒ How to Clean Cotton & Linen Sofa?
Cleaning fabric sofas, especially cotton or linen is usually easy. To treat any stains or spills, blot them as soon as possible to avoid seepage. Materials like cotton and linen are surely durable but can absorb stains easily.
- Mix a teaspoon of mild soap into a bowl of plain water.
- Avoid using hot water for linen.
- Dampen a clean, white cloth into the solution & wring.
- Keep dabbing the stain with the cloth until removed.
- Give it a plain water rinse by blotting it with a plain water-dipped cloth.
- Blot the sofa with a fresh towel and let it dry.
⇒ How to Clean Microfiber Sofa?
Cleaning a microfiber sofa can be a bit tricky as it tends to trap dirt and dust easily. If it demands solvent-based cleaning, choose rubbing alcohol to tackle stains.
- Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol.
- Dab the stains with the cloth until they transfer.
- Blot the spot with a clean, damp cloth again.
- Dry the microfiber using a towel.
Moreover, if it allows water-based cleaning, you can use a mixture of soap, water, and vinegar to break down dirt and stains.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of mind soap with equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl.
- Dip a cloth into the solution and begin dabbing and blotting the stain.
- Repeat the steps until the stain is removed.
- Rinse the spot by wiping the microfiber sofa surface with a new, damp cloth.
- Let it dry.
⇒ How to Clean A Suede Sofa?
Unlike other fabrics, pay special attention to water usage when cleaning a suede sofa as it is prone to damage with overwetting. Also, avoid steam cleaning for this type.
For minor stains or light dirt, sprinkle the baking soda (or spread its paste) onto the surface. Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes or until it dries. Then, you can vacuum it up before wiping it with a clean/slightly damp cloth.
For major staining or deep cleaning, you can follow this.
- Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:4 ratio and add a few drops of a mild soap.
- Dip a microfiber cloth into the suds of this mixture and gently blot the stains.
- Once done, blot again with a fresh-water-dampened cloth.
- Absorb excess moisture with a dry towel and let air dry.
⇒ How to Clean A Leather Sofa?
Being one of the easiest sofa types to clean, leather upholstery cleaning is as easy as a breeze. Unless it’s a settled stain, a simple wipe with a damp cloth loosens most stains.
Alternatively, here is another preferred and effective method for cleaning leather sofas.
- Make a mixture of olive oil and distilled vinegar in a 2:1 ratio.
- Pour it into a spray bottle before shaking it well.
- Spray it onto the leather surface and wipe away with a fresh cloth.
This method not only cleans away soil and dirt but also conditions the leather at the same time.
⇒ How to Clean A Wool Sofa?
Sofa fabric made up of wool is susceptible to high heat and excess moisture. While a normal cleaning during spot cleaning is just similar to other fabrics, overwetting can damage it all.
- Mix 1 tsp of mild soap or wool-safe cleaner into a bowl of plain water.
- Mix it well and dampen a clean cloth into it.
- Blot the spots with the cloth until they transfer.
- Repeat with a fresh cloth dipped in plain water to remove soap residue.
- Finally, blot with a dry towel.
⇒ How to Clean Polyester & Nylon Sofa?
Since most synthetic fabric sofas like those made up of polyester or nylon resist stains, they are easy to clean. The only thing to ensure is to avoid using steam as nylon can face damage. To tackle stains, opt for any store-bought sofa cleaner or make a DIY cleaner as below.
- Fill up a bowl with plain water and add in a few drops of liquid dish soap.
- For tough stains, mix half a cup of vinegar too.
- Blot the stains with a cloth dipped in this mixture until they leave.
- Give it a freshwater wipe and blot dry.
⇒ How to Clean A Silk Or Velvet Sofa?
Amidst all the different types of sofa cleaning, the upkeep of silk and velvet demands extra attention. These are delicate types and so, professional upholstery cleaning is beneficial to ensure the right cleaning techniques for its safety.
However, for on-the-go spot cleaning, you can use mild soap mixed with water to loosen stains. Additionally, use steam to help with creases in the velvet sofa.
Top Sofa Cleaning Tips
- Test the solutions before using them to clean the sofa.
- Always vacuum before you spot clean or deep clean.
- Use baking soda, cornstarch, or rubbing alcohol for dry cleaning.
- Don’t clean your upholstery with excess water.
- Avoid heat-based cleaning for delicates like silk, linen, olefin, & nylon.
- Prefer safe cleaners to chemicals like bleach or ammonia.
FAQs
Q.1 What is the best way to clean a fabric sofa?
⇒ The best way to clean fabric sofas is to use a DIY mixture of mild soap and water to dab and blot the stains out. Cleaning the spills swiftly allows effective results and prevents staining the sofa.
Q.2 What is the easiest type of sofa to clean?
⇒ Leather is the easiest type of sofa to clean. It is not only long-lasting and durable but also resists stains and dirt very well while also keeping allergens at bay.
Q.3 Can I steam clean a sofa?
⇒ Yes, you can steam clean a sofa unless it is made up of a fabric that cannot bear excess heat – like wool, silk, suede, or linen. For most synthetic fabrics, steam cleaning is a great way to remove seated stains and dirt effectively.
Q.4 How do you clean a non washable couch?
⇒ If your couch fabric is not machine-washable, you can clean it using other alternatives. You can use baking soda paste or rubbing alcohol or professional cleaning to clean a non-washable couch or sofa.
Q.5 Which sofa is best for everyday use?
⇒ Sofas made up of synthetic fabric are the best for everyday usage. They naturally repel most stains and face less wear and tear as compared to the other fabrics. Polyester, faux leather, and microfiber are some of them.
