Sofa is a place
where we spend most hours of the day when at home. A place where we relax
ourselves while enjoying watching television with a cup of tea and snacks.
However, how careful you are you get tea spills and other stains on the sofa
and it's the worst part.
Cleaning a sofa is
the tedious task you find in your household cleaning especially when it comes
to fabric sofa. Stains are more difficult to clean from fabric sofas. Also the
fabric upholstery becomes dustier as compared to other upholstery. And it
becomes a big headache for you to clean and dust it.
But
not to worry. Here is a complete guide on “How to clean fabric sofa” easily and safely.
Cleaning
Method
The very first
thing that comes in one mind for cleaning the fabric sofa will be the use of
cleaning products. And why not that’s the simple and easy way. You can use an
upholstery cleaner to clean it. Simply spray upholstery cleaner on the sofa and
leave it for a few minutes and then wipe it away with the help of a cloth.
Fabric sofas can
also be cleaned with the help of a steam cleaner. Just run the steam cleaner entirely
over the surface and once done with it, allow it to dry completely. It proves
to be very effective.
The other way to
clean a fabric sofa is to use homemade cleaners. All you need for this is water, vinegar and
dishwashing liquid. Mix 1⁄2 cup vinegar
and 1 tbsp. dishwashing liquid in 1 cup of warm water. Pour it in a spray
bottle and spray it all over the sofa and then leave it for 20 minutes and then
wipe away. Vinegar has acetic acid that
helps a lot in cleaning.
But remember before
you go for any cleaning method you should vacuum clean the sofa first to remove
the dust and dirt particles.
Removing
The Stains
Even after
cleaning, some stubborn stains remain there. No worries… Here's the solution
for treating the stains.
Mix ½ cup of
dishwashing liquid and 1 cup cold water in a spray bottle and spray it over the
stained areas. Rub it with the help of a clean cloth until the stains start
disappearing and then clean with water.
If the stains are too stubborn then you can use 1 tsp of ammonia and ½
cup cold water.
The other way you
can try is the use of baking soda. Baking soda will be best for removing the
greasy stains. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with water, paste should not
be of a runny consistency. Apply this
paste on the stains with the help of a toothbrush and rub it for a few minutes
and then leave for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards brush it off or vacuum clean.
Getting
Rid of the Odor from Sofa
After you have done
cleaning and removing the stained the next thing to do is eliminate the odors
from the sofa. If cleaning won’t help in getting rid of bad odors from the
sofa, here is the remedy for it.
Just sprinkle some
baking soda all over the sofa surface and leave it for 30 minutes. Afterwards
vacuum clean the sofa to lift up the baking soda particles. Baking soda is
considered to be a natural deodorizer and proves to be very effective. You can
use it safely.
How
Often to Clean Fabric Sofa?
No one likes to sit
on dirty sofas. Besides the visible dirt, bacteria can grow on the surface
which is not at all good for your health. So it is advisable to clean the
fabric sofa every six months, best if you go to professional upholstery cleaning services.
Along with deep
cleaning, clean your sofa with the help of a vacuum cleaner. You can also use
an upholstery brush to remove the dust particles. Clean the stains on spot and
don't keep them for later cleaning as it will be more difficult to clean
afterwards.
Things
to Be Taken Care Off While Cleaning
Before going for
any cleaning method do check the instructions mentioned on the label of sofa to
check whether the sofa covers are safe for machine washing or can you use
cleaning products on it.
Use good quality
cleaning products that do not damage the fabric. Before using any cleaner,
first check it on a small area of the sofa, if it causes discoloration then do
not use it. When using the detergent or ammonia for cleaning do not leave it
for a longer time.
Conclusion
Follow the
instructions mentioned on the label. Clean with care, not to cause any damage
to the fabric. Do the cleaning regularly. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the
dust and dirt particles. Go for the home made cleaner if commercial cleaning
products won't help. Try to keep the sofa as clean as possible.
