These cleaning tips will have your sofa looking like new in no time, whether you just have a few crumbs or the worst stains.

We all enjoy being couch potatoes, but it’s not so much fun when you’re doing it on a filthy couch. Crumbs, spilt soda, pet hair, filth, and oil from your hands and feet build up on your couch over time, making it look old. Don’t be alarmed. Here’s how to clean a couch so you can watch an entire season of your favourite TV show in one sitting.

1. Vacuum the Couch

Use a hand vacuum or the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove debris and grime from the sofa surface. Make a point of cleaning any nooks that may have accumulated pet hair, food crumbs, or grime. If the cushions are not attached, remove them and vacuum both sides.

2. Scrub the wood or metal surfaces.

Wipe down the sofa feet and other non-fabric parts with a mix of warm water and liquid dish soap.

3. Determine the Fabric Type

Look for the cleaning instructions on the couch and read them. The following codes can be seen on labels:

WS: Combine a mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent.

S: Use only dry cleaning detergent.

X: Only use a vacuum cleaner. Don’t use any water.

W: It can be cleaned with water.

4. Eliminate Stains

Knowing how to clean a couch requires knowing how to remove stains. You can buy a commercial cleaner or make your own with natural ingredients from your kitchen. Cleansers prepared at home are less expensive and better for the environment.

Here’s how to clean a sofa, by fabric type:

• For fabric upholstery: Mix together 1 tablespoon dish soap or Castile soap, 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 cup warm water.  Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Mist the dirty area. Scrub gently with a soft cloth until the stain is gone. Moisten a second cloth with clean water to remove the soap. Using a towel, dry the affected area.
• For leather upholstery: In a spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup vinegar. Spray the cleanser on the couch’s surface and polish with a soft cloth.
• For synthetic upholstery: Combine 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 cup warm water, and 1/2 tablespoon liquid dish detergent or Castile soap in a spray bottle. Mist the unclean area with water, then scrub with a soft cloth until the spots are gone.

5. Allow the Couch to Dry

Using a cloth, soak up any excess water that remains on the sofa surface. Allow the sofa to dry naturally. If the weather is humid, set up a box fan directed at the sofa to help it dry faster. Water can cause mold to grow on cushions and linens, so it’s critical to dry the couch as soon as possible.

Additional Couch Cleaning Tips

Lint Roller: If the fabric on your couch attracts lint, hair, or dust, have a lint roller available that you can only use on your couch. This procedure is most suited for a couch that only requires a light de-linting, but it can also be utilized for larger jobs. Large pieces of packing tape can be used to de-puppify the couch in a pinch.

Leather Conditioner and Soap: If you have a leather couch, you can keep it looking clean and fresh by using leather soap and conditioner. You can also clean your leather furniture once a week with a little damp, clean rag.

Steam: If your couch’s fabric can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, consider utilizing steam to remove dirt and stains. If you don’t have a steam cleaner at home, try the following: Set your iron on “steam” and move it back and forth across any difficult places on your couch. This essentially works the same as a steam cleaner and will do a great job at freshening the appearance of your furniture.

Call a Professional

If you’re still doubtful whether you can effectively clean your couch after reading these recommendations, that’s okay. Milton upholstery cleaning is a specialty of our Milton furniture cleaners. We are familiar with all types of fabrics and can clean your couches gently but thoroughly. Contact our upholstery cleaners immediately for assistance with your furniture cleaning!