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How to Clean a Fabric Sofa?
Sofas are the main pieces in any living room, they give personality to the room and fill a very large space. But in addition, they are one piece of furniture that we use the most. Throughout the week we can spend hours on it, relaxing after work, watching a movie, spending time with family and friends, or even eating. It is normal that, after all these uses, the sofa becomes worn, stained, or smells, especially if we make it of fabric. To keep our sofas in good condition so that they continue to be the kings of the living room, we leave you with a series of instructions on how to clean a fabric sofa. Don’t miss them!
What to Know before Cleaning a Fabric Sofa?
Before you clean the sofa, it is worth taking a few minutes to learn about its characteristics. In this way, you will avoid trying cleaning products and techniques that can damage the upholstery.
Among the points that you should investigate, is the type of fabric. The most common is that they are synthetic fabrics because of their softness and resistance. However, there are also cotton, wool, canvas, or velvet sofas on the market, among others, with very different characteristics. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or wool are very absorbent and therefore require greater care, although they hold up well to washing and are easily cleaned. For velvet dry cleaning is better.
In addition to knowing the type of fabric on your sofa, it’s also a good idea to know the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning the sofa fabric.
If you are lucky enough to have removable covers that can be put in the washing machine, the process will be much easier. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to resort to dry cleaning and, for stubborn stains, a professional cleaning service.
How to Clean the Fabric of a Sofa, Step by Step
Now that you have all the information about your sofa, it is time to get down to work. To help you a little, we leave you a series of steps to follow:
1. Clear the Sofa
To start, remove cushions, blankets, or any other decorations that you have on the sofa, and remove the seats. As mentioned above, if you can, remove the fabric covers and wash them in the washing machine or by hand. For a more thorough cleaning of the sofa, we advise you to move it to clean the area that is in contact with the wall.
2. Vacuum the dust
Once you’ve removed the seats, you’ll see all the dust and dirt that has accumulated. The best option is to use a handheld vacuum cleaner with a head adapted for hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can also use a soft bristle brush to remove all these remains.
3. Clean the sofa
While the covers are being washed in the washing machine, you can clean the structure of the sofa. The best alternative is dry cleaning, without pouring water or detergents directly on the sofa, as the fabric can absorb moisture and cause stains and odors.
To carry out this type of cleaning there are sprays or special foams on the market. Once they have acted, clean them with a sponge or microfiber cloth and let them dry.
If you have a steam vacuum cleaner, it is also a very good idea to use it to clean a very dirty fabric sofa. It is a comfortable and fast method that effectively removes stains using only steam. Vacuum the entire surface of the sofa patiently and follow an order so as not to leave anything behind. When you have finished, wait for it to dry completely before using it again.
How to Dry Clean a Fabric Sofa?
As we have already seen, if the covers of your sofa are not removable, it is likely that you will have to resort to dry cleaning, cleaning the fabrics directly on the furniture. In addition, this technique is also a very good choice if the sofa is in a very humid area or with few air currents that make drying difficult. To carry out this type of professional sofa cleaning there are many very good quality products such as spray foams, practical and effective. These foams contain active ingredients that achieve very good results.
The way to use them is also very simple. All you have to do is apply the spray on the stains, let it act, and then use a brush to remove the residue of the product.
How Often Should a Fabric Sofa be Cleaned?
To prevent our sofa from deteriorating, it is best to clean the stains at the same time they occur and before they dry. Otherwise, it will be much more difficult to clean them. It is also advisable to clean the dust often to prevent too much accumulation.
With deeper cleanings, we recommend it to do one approximately every three months. This type of cleaning includes all the steps we have talked about before: vacuuming, washing covers, and dry cleaning.
Professional Help to Clean the Fabric Sofa
In short, as you have seen, cleaning stains on a fabric sofa is quite simple but very laborious. Although, with difficult stains and non-removable covers, the process becomes a bit more complicated. Therefore, if you want to have a team of professionals to help you clean your sofa, contact us. We will make your sofa look perfect again!