Effective Fabric Sofa Cleaning Methods and Tricks

Fabric sofas are a common choice for many households due to their affordability and the wide range of choices available, but they also require a bit more maintenance than other materials. Compared to leather, fabric is much more susceptible to damage caused by dust and dirt, which means that it needs to be regularly cleaned to preserve its quality, support, and appearance. Here’s how you can clean your fabric sofa at home!

Regular Cleanings

Fabric sofas need to be regularly cleaned, at least once a week, to keep them in the best condition possible. Use either a hand vacuum or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush or upholstery attachment to remove all dirt and debris that may have built up on the material. Make sure that you use several long passes on each area for a thorough cleaning. Also, remember not to overlook corners and crevices where other debris may have collected.

Stain Removal

Here’s how you can tackle fresh spills and stains on your fabric sofa:

Remove Excess Liquid: When confronted with a mess, always start by blotting the excess liquid with a clean and dry cloth. Gently dab the cloth around the stained area rather than aggressively rubbing it, which will only push the spill deeper into your sofa and worsen the damage. Doing this as soon as possible will lessen the severity of the stain and make the next cleaning steps much easier.
Choose Your Cleaner: To address the stain itself, you can either use a commercial cleaning product specifically formulated for sofa stains or you can create your homemade cleaner. In an empty spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¾ cup of warm water, and a tablespoon of mild dishwashing liquid or Castille soap.
Start Cleaning: If you’ve chosen to use a commercial cleaner, read the printed instructions and follow them. If you’re using the homemade cleaner, spray the solution on the stained surface until it’s damp. Then, get a soft and clean cloth and start carefully blotting and rubbing, working from the outside and going in to prevent the stain from spreading. Repeat this as many times as needed until the stain is lifted.
Let the Sofa Dry: When the stain is completely gone, use a cloth dampened with water to blot away any remnants the cleaner may have left behind. Then, use another dry cloth to remove any excess moisture before leaving your sofa to air dry fully.

Odor Removal

Fabric as a material is very absorbent, which means that it’s more likely to soak up any impurities that it comes into contact with. This increases the chances of fabric sofas harboring bad odors over time, especially as dust, dirt, and other debris tend to attract other contaminants and provide a suitable environment for bacteria growth. Here’s how you can combat these nasty smells:

Baking Soda: In case you didn’t know, that old box of baking soda you have lying around in your cupboard is actually a great odor-neutralizer. Rather than simply masking the stench with a fragrance, baking soda actually absorbs and eliminates odors completely. Just sprinkle a generous amount over the affected area and leave it to sit until the smell disappears. For stronger smells, feel free to work the baking soda into your sofa with a soft bristle brush. Finally, use your vacuum cleaner to remove the powder.
White Vinegar: White vinegar is also an effective solution against odors, especially as its main ingredient, acetic acid, is a common ingredient found in many cleaners. You can make an odor-fighting spray by pouring some white vinegar into an empty spray bottle along with a bit of warm water. Spray this over the smelly area and leave it to dry. Don’t worry about the smell of white vinegar, because this will disappear along with the odor once your sofa air dries.

Additional Cleaning Tips

Here are some more cleaning tips to help you keep your fabric sofa clean:

Use a Fabric Upholstery Protector Spray: Aside from sticking to a diligent sofa cleaning routine, there are also other ways that you can prolong the lifespan of your upholstery. One way to do this is by investing in a protector spray, which will act as an extra layer of protection to minimize the effects of impurities and messes and prevent them from infiltrating the fabric material.
Consider Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning is an easy and effective method that will remove dust, dirt, and odors from your fabric sofa while eliminating bacteria and pests. When steam cleaning your couch, make sure that you don’t hold the steamer over one area for too long, as this will oversaturate the material, leading to potential damage mold, and mildew growth.
Clean the Entire Sofa: Aside from cleaning the cushioned fabric of your sofa, make sure that you also clean the non-fabric parts of your furniture, such as the feet and armrests. You can do this with a cloth dampened with either warm water or an all-purpose cleaner, or you can create some soapy water by adding a few drops of liquid dish soap to some clean water.
Have Your Sofa Professionally Cleaned: If you don’t have the time to handle the cleaning and maintenance yourself, lots of companies offer professional sofa cleaning services Singapore to help you out! With years of training and experience, Luce’s team of cleaners will be more than happy to handle all of your sofa cleaning needs to ensure that it feels as good as new after each session.

Your sofa is a significant investment in the overall comfort and ambiance of your home, so it’s best to look out for it as best as you can. With these cleaning tips and tricks, you’ll be able to relax and unwind with your loved ones, knowing that your sofa is completely spotless and free of dust and dirt!