Whether you sit on it to eat, drink or watch TV, your sofa is a magnet for dirt, dust, pet hair and other unwanted debris. These unwelcome guests aren’t just a pain to vacuum and wipe away, they can also breed bacteria and allergens that affect your health. Keeping your sofa clean is non-negotiable.
To keep your furniture looking its best, give it a regular cleaning, says Luther Quintana, operations manager at Manhattan-based furniture maker Cohoon. “We sit on our sofas so much, they collect bacteria, dust mites, and pollutants that slowly break down the fabric over time,” he explains. “As a result, it’s important to vacuum and spot clean weekly as well as giving your couch a deep cleaning at least twice a year.”
The best way to start is by checking the upholstery code on your sofa and loveseat cleaning or loveseat label. If the tag reads W (water), WS (wet and solvent) or WS-D (water-based only), you can use a mild solution of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of gentle laundry detergent and 2 cups of warm water to scrub your couch and boost its freshness. Make sure to test the cleaner on a small area of your couch before applying it to the entire surface. Vacuum once the area is dry to remove any loosened dirt, and then allow your couch to air-dry by turning on a ceiling fan or box fan to speed up the process.
If your sofa or loveseat’s fabric is rated X (do not clean) or it has an oil-based stain on it, have it professionally cleaned as soon as possible. A professional can use specialized equipment to tackle stubborn oily and greasy stains, and their expertise can help you remove them without damaging your sofa’s delicate fabric.
Between professional cleanings, keep your sofa smelling its best by sprinkling it with baking soda or spraying it with an odor-eliminating product like GH Seal Star Febreze Fabric. These products actually eliminate odors instead of just masking them, so they’re a better choice for your couch than the chemical-laden air fresheners that hang on to odors and moisture.
For stubborn stains, act fast before the stain sets in. For fabric couches, blot it up as much as you can, then use carbonated water to break down the stain. Apply a few drops of mild laundry detergent to a clean cloth and dab (avoid rubbing) at the stain until it lifts, then blot again with a damp cloth to soak up the moisture.
If your sofa or loveseat has leather upholstery, a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol can help fade ink stains. Use it to gently dab (again, avoid rubbing) at the ink stain until it lifts. For wood frames, clean them thoroughly using a cleaning solution that’s safe for your furniture type and finish.