How To Clean A Fabric Sofa Naturally
Table of Contents
Cleaning A Fabric Sofa
A fabric sofa is a great addition to your home or office decor. Like any other piece of furniture, fabric sofas are prone to dirt. The dirt may be due to food, drink, or other spills. Dust is also another source of dirt on your fabric sofa. To keep your space looking great, you should never allow your fabric couch to get dirty.
Make sure that all the stubborn stains or dirt are removed immediately after you spot them. There are different methods you can use to carry out a deep sofa cleaning. To maintain and preserve the quality of your sofa, it is advisable to use natural methods to do the cleaning. This article aims to offer you an insight into how to clean your fabric sofa naturally.
Things To Do Before Deep Cleaning A Fabric Sofa
Identify the Type of Stain or Dirt on the Sofa
Before you start cleaning your sofa, it is necessary to identify the type of dirt on your sofa. This is necessary because different types of stains or dirt require distinct cleaning methods. Another important thing is to make sure that you clean the stain immediately. Waiting for the stain to stay for long makes it hard to remove from your furniture.
Check the Sofa’s Cleaning Recommendations
One great mistake you can make is to start cleaning upholstery without reading the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Before you can use any natural cleaning solution, first check the manufacturer’s recommendations for care. You can find these recommendations on the sofa’s tags. In addition, you should check the recommended cleaning methods. Failure to use the correct cleaning methods and products can cause permanent damage to your sofa.
Have a Look at the Cleaning Codes
Before you start the cleaning job, make sure you check the given deep cleaning codes. When you look at your sofa’s tags, you will find random letters. These are the cleaning codes to follow as you do the cleaning. Each of these varying codes has a different meaning.
Here are some fabric sofa cleaning codes and their meanings:
- W – Indicates that you can use water to clean the sofa.
- WS – This code shows that you can use mild cleaning detergent and a steam vacuum.
- X – Do not use water. Only use vacuum cleaning.
- S – Use a dry cleaner detergent.
How To Deep Clean A Fabric Sofa
For effective upholstered furniture cleaning, you need to be equipped with the right products and tools that you will need from the start to the end of the cleaning process. Some of the products that you will need include:
- Vacuum
- Dry brush
- Baking soda
- Water
- Drying towel
- Vinegar
- Steamer
- Spray bottle
- Dish soap
Step One: Test the fabric
Baking soda can help remove embedded dirt and grime from your sofa. Begin by testing it in a hidden area of the couch. Anyway, baking soda works effectively for most types of sofa fabrics.
Step Two: Brush the sofa
Ensure that you give your sofa a deep clean. Start by getting rid of dirt or crumbs from its surface. You should also remove the dirt hiding in between the sofa’s cushions. As you do the brushing, you can wear rubber gloves.
To brush the entire sofa effectively, you need a dry and clean brush. Make sure you reach all the crannies and nooks. For stubborn areas like dry spots, you might need to use a stiff brush to remove them.
NOTE: If your sofa is light coloured, you should use a white cloth. If you use a coloured cloth, its dye can soak into the material of your sofa, leading to discolouration.
Step Three: Apply the baking soda
Sprinkle the dirty sofa with baking soda and let it sit for about twenty to thirty minutes. Consider mixing the baking soda into a dry carpet cleaner to guarantee effective deep cleaning.
Step Four: Vacuum the baking soda
Use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to vacuum and get rid of the baking soda.
Step Five: Remove the stubborn stains
If your sofa has tough stains, deep clean using a cleaning solution that works on its specific fabric. Use a clean cloth to blot away stains. You can deep clean using a mixture of ¾ cup of warm water, a ¼ cup of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap.
How To Get Rid Of Smells From Your Fabric Sofa
Dirt or stain on your fabric sofa can lead to unpleasant smells. When you clean fabric sofas, you should ensure that you thoroughly get rid of the smell. To do this, you need to have baking soda or a dry carpet cleaner, although this is optional.
Step One: Remove all dust and dirt
Start by removing all the debris from your sofa’s surface.
Step Two: Cover the stains with baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda on the entire sofa. Allow it to sit for at least twenty minutes.
Step Three: Let the solution sit
After twenty minutes, vacuum the sofa with a brush attachment.
Step Four: Combine baking soda and dry carpet cleaner
To get rid of any stubborn stains, mix the baking soda using a dry carpet cleaner. Allow it to sit for approximately twenty minutes.
Step Five: Use a handheld steam cleaner
If the smell remains, you can use a handheld steam cleaner to get rid of the odour from the sofa covers completely.
Removing Stains From Your Fabric Sofa
Fabric sofas are less resistant to deep stains and spills. Therefore, they absorb spills or any other staining materials. Luckily, it is pretty easy to get rid of these stains naturally without harsh chemical products.
To get rid of the stains, you need baking soda, washing up liquid, and white vinegar. Mixing baking soda and white vinegar is highly effective in removing stubborn stains. This is because baking soda usually reacts with white vinegar to form an acidic formula that helps remove grime and grease.
Step One: Create a cleaning solution
Get a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, baking soda, white vinegar, and warm water. Mix the ingredients until they lather. Make sure that the mixture froths up as an indication that the vinegar and baking soda are reacting.
Step Two: Apply the solution to the affected areas
Apply the cleaning solution to any smudges or stubborn stains on your fabric couch.
Step Three: Let the solution sit
Allow it to stay for around ten minutes.
Step Four: Wipe clean with a clean cloth
When it dries, wipe the sofa’s surface using a clean cloth. This helps lift away any residue on it. After this, you should have a stain-free and shiny sofa.
How To Steam Clean Your Fabric Sofa
If your fabric sofa is coded W or WS, you can use an upholstery steam cleaner. Before you do the cleaning, ensure that you get in touch with your sofa manufacturer to determine whether you can use a steam cleaner on your sofa fabric. Although sofas coded W and WS can withstand water, they might not withstand the heat. You can also carry out a spot test on a small part of the sofa to ensure that steam cleaning does not cause damage to it.
When it comes to steaming your fabric sofa, you should follow instructions from the manufacturer to understand the settings to use.
Here are the tips that you can apply in the process:
- Start by vacuuming your sofa before steam cleaning. After steaming and drying it, you can vacuum it again.
- Choose the right day to do the steam cleaning and open all your windows to ensure that the room is well-ventilated. If you do not do this, your sofa might remain damp and smell as a result.
- Find steam cleaners that use microfiber cloths to assist in removing the debris from the sofa. You should change the cloth when steaming to allow it to pick up all the dirt.
- After you steam, put your fan close to the sofa to allow it to dry effectively.
- Ensure the water in the steam vacuum cools before you can dump it out.
Cleaning The Hard Parts Of Your Fabric Sofa
Most fabric sofas have other materials included in their construction, such as wood, metal, and others. As you clean the sofa, you should not forget these hard surfaces. They deserve maximum attention to ensure that your entire sofa is clean. Look for the right cleaning product depending on the surface of your couch.
NOTE: You can use an all-purpose cleaner if you do not have one specific cleaning product for your sofa’s surfaces.
How To Keep Your Fabric Sofa Clean For Long
- Vacuum the sofa regularly: Use the crevice device and brush on your vacuum to clean the sofa weekly.
- Lint roll: Using a lint roller helps in removing pet hair from your fabric sofa.
- Cover the sofa: Consider covering your fabric sofa to prevent dirt or dust from accumulating on it. You can also use sofa protectors to avoid body oil, perspiration, and other fluids from settling on your sofa.
Do’s And Don’ts When Cleaning A Fabric Sofa
Act Fast
You should act fast to remove stains or any other form of dirt from your fabric sofa. This ensures that the dirt does not get absorbed by the fibres or seep into the sofa’s underlying padding. It is also hard to remove the stains if you allow them to dry or stick to the fibres. The quicker you act, the faster and easier it will be for you to remove the stain.
Always Test the Cleaning Solution First
If you pick the wrong fabric sofa cleaning solution, you risk damaging the sofa, causing it to fade or worsen the stain. Make sure that you first test the stain remover or cleaning solution on a hidden part of the furniture.
Read Instructions on the Cleaning Product’s Label
Most cleaning solutions and stain removers have specific instructions on their application, drying time, and cautions to observe. So, make sure you read the labels of the products you want to use to clean your fabric sofa. You should also read the instructions on your furniture label on how to clean the couch.
Do Not Start in the Middle of the Sofa
You should never start cleaning your fabric sofa in the centre. It is tempting to do so because this is the part with the most dirt. However, if you start at the centre, you are likely to spread the dirt onto your sofa. As you clean or blot the stain, start from the edges and clean towards the centre.
Avoid Rubbing or Scrubbing the Sofa
Scrubbing or rubbing the sofa forces the dirt to penetrate deeper into your sofa fibres and causes the material to wear out. If you scrub or rub hard, you create heat that can make any stains present chemically bond to the fabric. Instead of scrubbing, scrape the stain with a spoon and then blot using a clean towel.
Never Use Bleach on Your Fabric Sofa
Never apply bleaching products to the stain. The bleach can worsen the stain or cause the colour of your sofa fabric to fade.
Do Not Use Heat
Avoid using hot water while cleaning your sofa because it can alter the chemical structure of stains, which can result in them sticking more to the sofa surface. You should only use warm water during the cleaning process.
Need Help Cleaning Your Fabric Sofa Naturally?
Professional cleaning companies can help clean your sofa. The cleaners use the right products to give your sofa a clean, shiny look. You can rely on them to complete the job fast and ensure that your sofa fabric does not get damaged during the cleaning process.
