Save Your Fabric Sofa with these DIY Sofa Cleaning Tips
Fabric sofas are often preferred over leather because of their appearance and comfort, but keeping them clean can be a chore. Rather than leaving those stains to set into your favorite fabric sofa, causing you to spend more money on new furniture or all-too-frequent professional cleanings, consider trying some DIY sofa cleaning tips. Manufacturers typically recommend having your fabric furniture cleaned every 12-24 months, depending on how much you use your furniture. However, regardless of how careful you are, spills happen and dirt and other allergens are bound to build up before it’s time to seek professional cleaning services. To increase the life of your fabric sofa and keep it in pristine condition in between professional cleanings, check out the following DIY sofa cleaning tips.
Check the Tag
Most fabric sofas have a tag on one of your cushions that provide helpful information about the fabric. Before tackling any DIY sofa cleaning projects, be sure to look for this tag, as it will clue you in on how to clean the fabric. Cleaning tags typically have one of four letters on them, indicating the type of solution that should be used:
W: use a water-based cleaner to clean the fabric
S: use a solvent-based cleaner, not water-based, to clean the fabric
WS: either a water-based or a solvent-based cleaner can be used
X: vacuum only, do not use any cleaners on the fabric
Brush it Up
First, take a soft brush to your sofa to loosen up any pet hair, dirt and dust that may be stuck on the fabric. Your vacuum most likely has an upholstery attachment that you can use for this step. If not, any soft-bristled cleaning brush will do. Be sure to brush lightly and do not use a brush that has rough bristles, as you do not want to damage or tear the fabric.
Always Vacuum
Even though your sofa may be able to withstand water or solvent cleaners, you should vacuum it to get rid of any excess debris, pet hair and dust particles. Much of what makes your couch appear grungy and dirty can be vacuumed up before any deep cleaning starts. Don’t forget to remove the cushions and vacuum underneath them, as well as vacuuming the fabric on the cushions and rest of the sofa itself.
Spot Clean Stains
Try to avoid letting stains set into the fabric by absorbing as much of the stain as possible when it happens. To absorb the stain, blot the spill with a white cloth or paper towel. Do not rub the spot, as this can cause the stain to set into the fabric even more and may damage the fibers, causing your fabric to rip.
Steam Clean if Necessary
If vacuuming and spot cleaning alone isn’t enough to clean your sofa, you may be able to rent a steam cleaner as long as your tag is marked with a W or WS. If you have the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations handy, make sure to read them thoroughly to make sure your fabric sofa can withstand the heat of a steam cleaner. Be sure to spot test a small area of your sofa first, preferably a cushion, to make sure it is safe to use on the fabric.
Contact Stanley Steemer for a Professional Clean
While DIY sofa cleaning tips are helpful with the upkeep of your fabric sofa, don’t forget to have your furniture professionally cleaned every one to two years to keep it looking its best and lasting longer. Stanley Steemer of South Florida does more than clean your floors. Our highly trained and experienced technicians can provide your furniture with an exceptional cleaning, so you don’t have to worry about the hassle and expenses of purchasing a new one. To learn more about our upholstery and furniture cleaning, visit our website or call (888) 982-3553 today!