Ditch the typical vacuum cleaner and opt for a more thorough cleaning. Listed below are a few efficient solutions for removing dirt, grime, and pet hair from couches in need of some TLC.
- Use a vacuum with rotating brush to suck up the dirt out from fabric and into the machine’s bag while it rotates to loosen debris;
- Wet the couch with a gentle all purpose cleaner;
- Spray furniture cleaner on couch then scrub with terry cloth or nylon brush;
- Remove any remaining residue by buffing with a dry towel or microfiber cloth.
How To Clean Other Types of Couches?
If you have a couch that’s up to taking a bath, then this is the way to go. This DIY cleaning guide for couches will give you an hour’s worth of cleaning time and will be very safe on your furniture pieces. You may even decide to do this at least once a month.
- Wipe away stains;
- Keep a spray bottle filled with water and mild detergent handy to wipe away any stubborn or new stains;
- Apply the solution on the stain, allow it to sit for a few minutes and then dab it off with a cloth;
- Don’t forget to dry the area after you clean off the stain.
Sofa Cleaning and Stain Removal Tips
If your sofa is covered with stains, then you need to be careful about using all purpose cleaning solutions as they may cause damage. For stubborn stains like rust, use vinegar as an alternative to all purpose cleaners or call in a professional if removing the stain is going to be too expensive.
Stains can occur from food, coffee, ink, and even from pets. The key is to wipe the stain off before it sets in the fabric. The trick is to get to it quickly.
When it comes to stains, set in is worse than new. That’s because the chemicals from the stain will start to eat away at your furniture piece if you don’t remove it immediately. Here are some of my favorite tips for removing stains from couches:
A variety of materials: There is a huge range when it comes to upholstery fabrics and their care requirements. Some can’t be spot cleaned and need to be professionally cleaned.
Different types of stains: There are different types of materials that will stain the most. Depending on the fabric and material, you may have a harder time removing some stains than others. The trick is to use the right cleaning agent for the type of stain you’re trying to remove. It’s OK if you make a mistake as we’re going over all these in this guide to help you achieve best results.
Strategies for sofas
Sofas can be big and bulky which makes it a challenge to move them out of the way to clean. If you choose to move it out, then check if it will fit through the door and if not, you may need to take it apart. There are also some couches that have cushions zipped on and they come off with a zipper. Those can be washed in a washer machine as well.
Below are some tips on how you can effectively clean your sofa:
Protect your floor: Make sure that your floor is protected with layers of newspapers and paper towels so that anything spilled or dropped won’t damage the floors.
Choose a cleaning agent: For best results, use an all purpose cleaning solution. Choose from the following alternatives: vinegar, white vinegar, vodka, or lemon juice.
Couch and carpet cleaners may also be effective in removing stains but they don’t remove dirt. If you have an ottoman, try using those as well to clean all the pieces. You can also use a tissue to dip in some furniture cleaner and wipe away any stains that are on your couch. This is ideal if you have pets that love to lay on it or stain easily.
Damp cleaning: Here’s how you can remove the stubborn stains from your sofa: pull the cushions and clean them. Use a brush to remove any dirt or hair in between them. Spray the couch with a professional cleaner to soak up the odor and stains. Then, sprinkle baking soda on it and leave it overnight. Get rid of the baking soda by vacuuming every morning.
If you have children, then you’ll no doubt have stains that are hard to get out of carpet or fabric couches. However, this DIY method will give you great results while keeping your kids safe.
Bottom line
There are a few recipes that you can use to clean your couch. The best thing is that it’s easy, cost effective and above all, safe for your kids and pets. Make sure to remove any stains immediately so that it doesn’t have time to set into the fabric. If you have any questions, feel free to join the discussion in the comment section below.