How to Clean a Couch

Your couch is subject to body oils and odors, pet smells and dander, spills, crumbs, stains and more. Even if you rarely use the couch, it will get covered in dust and other dirt floating in the air. If your sofa has looked and smelled better, rest assured that an easy solution is available. Learn how to clean a couch the right way.

Importance of Maintaining a Clean Couch

Your couch takes up a huge amount of space in your living room. In fact, it is a focal point that sets the town for the rest of the room. This is a place where family and friends gather to chat, play games and watch TV.

When a couch is dirty, it detracts from your home’s ambiance, emits unpleasant odors and makes the space generally inhospitable. In addition, many couch materials have fibers that cling to allergens, such as dust, pet dander and even mold spores. Because of this, a dirty couch can negatively affect your health.

Identify Your Couch Material

Before cleaning your sofa, you need to know what you are cleaning. Couches are commonly made out of cloth fabric, suede, microfiber and leather. These materials have different care requirements, so determining the material is a critical first step to safely clean your couch.

Look for your sofa’s label, which may be on the bottom of it or under the cushions. You will see one of the following care codes:

• WS: Use a dry-cleaning detergent or a light detergent with a steam cleaner.
• S: Only use dry-cleaning detergent.
• X: Do not clean with water. Vacuum only.
• W: Clean with water.

Pre-Cleaning Steps

Regardless of the type of material, the pre-cleaning steps are the same. Use the handheld attachment of your vacuum to suction all debris from the cushions, back and armrests.

If the cushions are removable, vacuum both sides. Pay attention to grooves, crevices and other places where dirt can gather. Remember to vacuum underneath and behind the couch.

If your couch has wood components, dust these off. Then, moisten a cloth with a small amount of soapy water. After wiping down the wood, use a second cloth and fresh water to remove the soap residue.

Cleaning Methods for Different Couch Materials

Leather

A leather couch should be cleaned with ¼ cup vinegar and ½ cup olive oil. Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle, and spray the sofa. Then, use a soft cloth to clean and buff the material.

Fabric

If your couch is made out of fabric, fill a spray bottle with a tablespoon of dish soap, ¾ cup of warm water and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Lightly spray the couch, and use a soft cloth to clean the sofa. You should then use a second cloth to dry the material.

Suede and Microfiber

Suede or microfiber can be cleaned with ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap, 1 cup of warm water and ½ cup of vinegar. Pour the ingredients in a spray bottle, and mist the sofa. Scrub the material with a soft cloth until it is clean.

Check out this video for more tips on professionally cleaning your couch at home

Removing Stains

If a stain is fresh, start by blotting the liquid with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing the stain as it can spread the problem area and work the spill deeper into the fibers. Soak up as much of the liquid as possible.

For both fresh and dry stains, use a steam cleaner to lift the stains. Using the low-heat setting and the steam cleaner’s detailing tool, apply small amounts of moisture at a time to remove the stain. Avoid oversaturating the material.

Deodorizing the Couch

Odors are problematic with all materials. Before attempting to deodorize the couch, test a hidden area of the couch to ensure the cleaning method will not damage the material.

One approach is to sprinkle baking soda across the sofa. After letting the powder sit for a few minutes, use an upholstery brush to work the baking soda deeper into the fibers. Then, vacuum the material to remove the loose baking soda.

Another strategy is to fill a spray bottle with diluted vinegar. Spray the sofa, and allow the liquid to dry. This should remove the smell.

Drying and Finishing Touches

When your sofa is exceptionally wet or when it takes too long to dry, mildew growth is possible. To safeguard your sofa, use minimal liquid when cleaning it. Turn on an overhead fan to speed up the drying process. Pointing a box fan toward the sofa is also helpful.

Preventive Care and Maintenance Tips

• Leather soap and conditioner can be used as an alternative when cleaning a leather sofa.
• Use a lint roller on fabric, suede and microfiber materials to remove loose hair and dirt.
• Use steam to loosen dirt before cleaning the sofa. If you don’t have a steamer, use your iron’s steam setting.

You can keep your couch and other furniture and features looking great with routine cleaning efforts. Rather than do the work yourself, put our pros at Cleanzen to work for you. Learn more about our bi-weekly cleaning services today.