How to clean a fabric sofa

We all love kicking back and relaxing on our comfortable sofas, but a dirty and stained fabric sofa can make enjoying this haven impossible. When your upholstery is dirty or damaged, it’s time to begin cleaning – but where do you start?

A clean, well-maintained fabric sofa can extend the lifetime of your furniture, guaranteeing you get the most out of your investment. You’re in the right place if you’re dealing with stubborn stains and looking for a deeper clean than standard sofa vacuuming.

This article will guide you through how to clean fabric sofa upholstery to ensure your entire couch is flawless, from assessing your sofa cleaning, post-cleaning, and more!

How Can I Assess My Sofa?

The first step in cleaning a fabric sofa is assessing its condition. Identify the fabric type – cotton, linen, microfibre, velvet, or suede – as each requires a different cleaning approach. Check for the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, which can help avoid damage. Look also for a cleaning label with specific guidance.

How to Read Your Fabric Sofa Cleaning Tag

Reading the cleaning tag on your fabric sofa is crucial to ensure proper care and avoid damaging the upholstery. Here’s a guide to help you understand the cleaning codes you’ll typically find on your sofa’s tag:

• W – Clean with water. You can safely use water-based cleaners.
• S – No water. Use a solvent-based cleaner for this fabric.
• WS – Both water and solvent-based cleaners are safe for this fabric.
• X – Vacuum only. This fabric cannot be cleaned with liquids; use a vacuum to remove dust and debris.

Knowing the correct cleaning code can prevent costly mistakes and help you maintain your sofa’s appearance for years to come.

What Cleaning Supplies Will I Need?

The next step in cleaning your couch fabric is gathering your cleaning supplies. Whether you’re dealing with pet stains, water stains, or any other type of tough stain, you’ll require specific supplies to ensure you get the best deep clean possible.

Some cleaning supplies you’ll require to achieve the best results include:

Preparing Your Sofa for Cleaning

Before cleaning your sofa, prepare the area by removing any removable covers and cushions. Then, dust and vacuum thoroughly to remove loose dirt and debris. Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush attachment, making sure to go over the area several times for a deep clean.

Pay extra attention to heavily stained or soiled areas, as these will need more focused cleaning for the best results.

What’s the Cleaning Process for Cleaning My Sofa?

Now, let’s get into most of your cleaning journey: the actual sofa cleaning process. Depending on the type of sofa fabric, you’ll have to follow different methods for the best cleaning solution.

If you aren’t certain about the type of fabric you have and can’t find any information on a cleaning label, contact your sofa’s manufacturer. They’ll have information on best addressing your cleaning needs.

Let’s look at a few common fabric types and how to navigate cleaning for each fabric.

How to Clean a Cotton Fabric Sofa

You can thoroughly clean your cotton cloth couch in the following steps:

1. Start brushing your couch with a stiff brush or a clean towel to loosen dirt and debris.
2. Apply baking soda to the entire sofa. Allow the baking soda to settle for 20 minutes to an hour before vacuuming using an upholstery brush attachment.
3. After the baking soda has settled in, you can use a cleaning solution tailored to cotton couches to create a DIY cleaner. You can create this solution by combining 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Mix the components in a spray bottle and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
4. Wipe down your couch and spray a microfibre cloth with the cleaning solution. Gently blot and rub away stains on your fabric, or wipe your entire sofa with the solution.
5. Allow your sofa to air dry for a few hours.

How to Clean a Velvet Sofa

If your fabric couch is velvet, you’ll have to take a different approach to achieve a deep clean. Use the following cleaning method to clean velvet sofas:

1. Begin cleaning stained areas using a paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible. If you’re cleaning a solid stain, use a butter knife to lift the stain from the material.
2. Use a few drops of dishwasher detergent combined with warm water. Gently dab and blot the stain using a soft cloth. Avoid rubbing the stained area, as this will cause it to spread.
3. Use an upholstery steam cleaner if you’re struggling with creases and wrinkles in your velvet sofa. Use the lowest temperature and work up the couch to remove creases.
4. Allow your couch to air dry for several hours or dry overnight.
5. Once your couch is dried, use a dry brush for regular cleaning.

You might also like: How to Clean a Velvet Sofa

How to Clean a Suede Sofa

A suede couch also requires specific steps to achieve a thorough cleaning – without the proper sofa cleaning methods, you might damage your sofa. Take the following steps to clean your suede couch correctly:

1. Use a damp cloth over your suede couch, but avoid soaking the sofa. Squeeze water out of the cloth before applying it to your couch. A damp cloth will remove any debris and dirt on the surface of your sofa without damaging the suede.
2. Use a cleaning solution designed to clean suede couches. Perform a spot test by dabbing an inconspicuous area of your sofa with the cleaning solution and let it rest for 20 minutes. If you don’t have a suede cleaning solution, use distilled white vinegar.
3. Take a rubber eraser to remove stubborn stains on your suede couch, such as ink stains.
4. To clean wet stains, use a microfibre cloth to blot up moisture and a suede-friendly stain treatment. Once the treatment has settled, rinse your sofa with a damp cloth.
5. Dry your sofa using a hair dryer.

How Can I Rinse and Dry My Sofa?

Once the cleaning solution has sat and you've gently wiped the sofa’s surface, it’s time to rinse and dry. Use a clean, damp cloth to blot the sofa, avoiding soaking it with water, which can cause damage. Focus on the stained areas.

After rinsing to remove residue and stains, allow your sofa to dry. Air drying with fans or open windows speeds up the process, or you can use a hairdryer. Blot any damp spots with a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture.

Eliminating Odours from Your Fabric Sofa

To tackle odours, sprinkle baking soda evenly across the sofa’s surface and let it sit for at least 20 minutes—up to an hour for stronger smells. Once the baking soda has absorbed the odours, gently vacuum it off using an upholstery attachment.

Alternatively, you can lightly mist the sofa with a homemade solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Allow it to air dry fully to neutralise lingering smells without damaging the fabric.

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean and fresh sofa requires regular care and immediate attention to stains. From simple home remedies to professional solutions, you can keep your upholstery in top condition. For more expert tips on removing stubborn stains, check out our guide: How to get stains out of sofa