How to Clean a Sofa

A dirty sofa is an inevitable part of everyday life. Crumbs tend to fall into the crevices, drinks spill onto the cushions, and pets bring mud and dirt onto the furniture. Fortunately, cleaning your sofa is relatively simple – all you need is a bit of time and some effective cleaning products.

Vacuum large debris. Before proceeding with a deeper clean, you should first remove any dirt and large crumbs from the surface of the sofa. Use a handheld vacuum or the nozzle attachment of a regular vacuum cleaner for this task.

• Use the narrow nozzle to reach into the crevices.
• Vacuum the entire cushion surface.
• Lift the cushions and vacuum the frame of the sofa.

Use a brush. If you have stains filled with dust, you can use a stiff brush to loosen the dirt, then vacuum the dislodged dirt. Scrub with a bit of pressure, but not too forcefully to avoid damaging the fabric.

Remove fabric fibers and pet hair. Although some brands offer pet-friendly products, standard vacuum cleaners often don't remove fabric fibers and pet hair. It's best to use a lint roller to pick up what your vacuum misses.

• Work through each section of the sofa to ensure no pet hair is left behind.

Wipe down all external hard surfaces. Many sofas feature wooden or other material parts on the outside, which also require cleaning. Use the appropriate cleaning products for the material you're working with. You can use an all-purpose cleaner if you don't have a specialized product.

• If you're cleaning a large area, spray the cleaner onto a paper towel and wipe down the surface. This will prevent spraying excess chemicals onto the fabric.

Identify the type of upholstery fabric. Check the tag to see what material the upholstery is made from. You may also find cleaning product recommendations on the tag.

• “W” means you can use water-based soap and a steam vacuum cleaner.
• “WS” means both water-based soap and a steam vacuum cleaner, as well as dry cleaning solvents, can be used.
• “S” means only dry cleaning solvents should be used.
• “O” means the material is organic and should be washed with cold water.
• “X” means only vacuuming and brushing are allowed, or you should seek professional cleaning services.

Apply a pre-conditioner product on the upholstery fabric. This product may not be available in supermarkets, so you may need to buy it online if you can't find it in stores. It's designed to dissolve and lift debris and grease from the fabric surface, making it easier to clean afterwards.

• Test it on a small, hidden area of the sofa to ensure the product doesn't discolor the fabric.
• Spray the pre-conditioner over the entire surface you plan to clean.

Mix a soapy water solution. Combine 100 ml of liquid soap with 100 ml of water in a bowl or another container.

Test the soapy solution first. Dip a cloth into the solution and scrub a hidden area of the sofa. You can test this in the same spot where you previously tested the pre-conditioner.

• Let the solution sit on the fabric for about 10 minutes, then check.
• Press a paper towel against the area to see if any color comes off.
• If the fabric doesn't discolor, proceed to the next step.

Prepare the steam vacuum cleaner. Different types of steam vacuum cleaners come in different shapes, so here are general guidelines for setup.

• Locate the water tank and open the lid.
• Pour the soapy solution into the water tank and close the lid.
• Attach the hose if it's not already connected.
• Attach the stair/upholstery nozzle to the end of the hose.

Use the soapy water to clean the sofa upholstery. Place the steam vacuum cleaner nozzle onto the fabric and press the button to release the soapy water from the tank. Continue pressing the button, moving across the surface of the sofa in a crisscross pattern, just as you did when vacuuming earlier. Be sure to clean the entire surface.

• Move slowly to ensure the soapy water is evenly distributed on the fabric.

Remove the soap. Press the button to drain the soap water. Move the steam vacuum cleaner head across the chair once more, suctioning all the soap water back into the machine.

Repeat the washing process if necessary. If you notice any areas that need additional cleaning, use the steam vacuum head to handle those spots. However, avoid applying too much soap water to any area as it could permanently discolor the fabric.

Let the chair dry. There's no button on the vacuum cleaner to dry the upholstery fabric. It's best to leave it as is until the chair is completely dry.

Purchase dry cleaning solvent. The name of this product might be a bit misleading because dry cleaning products aren’t exactly ‘dry.’ They are liquid—just not containing water like other water-based solutions.

• You can find dry cleaning solvent in the cleaning supplies aisle of most supermarkets.
• If not available, you can easily purchase it online.

Ventilate the room. Dry cleaning solvents have a very strong odor, so it's essential to open the doors and windows to allow the smell to escape and fresh air to enter. Turn on a ceiling fan or table fan directed out the window to help expel the toxic air from the room.

Use a clean cloth soaked in dry cleaning solvent. Instead of applying the solvent directly to the sofa, it’s better to soak a cloth and dab it onto the stain on the fabric. These solutions are usually potent, so use sparingly. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging you purchased.

Test first. Rub the cloth soaked in dry cleaning solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of the sofa. Wait for 10 minutes and check if the fabric changes color. Press a tissue onto the test area to see if the color comes off. If not, you can proceed to the next step.

Press the cloth onto the stained area of the sofa. Do not rub – simply press the cloth soaked in dry cleaning solvent onto the stain. This method may take some time, but be patient and avoid applying too much solvent to the stain, as it could damage the fabric.

• Occasionally take breaks and let the solvent dry, as stubborn stains may need more time and care.
• Reapply the dry cleaning solvent to the cloth if needed, but remember to use only a small amount.

Blot the solvent dry. If you leave the chemical on the stain for too long, the fabric could discolor. To remove the dry cleaning solvent from the fabric, dampen a clean cloth with water. The cloth should be moist, not soaking. Dab the cloth on the stains, wash and wring it out if necessary.

• Allow the sofa to air dry naturally after cleaning.

Purchase leather cleaning products. While regularly wiping down your leather-covered sofa with a damp cloth is effective, it’s also recommended to use a specialized cleaner every so often. Strong chemicals can damage and discolor leather, so it’s best to buy products designed specifically for leather upholstery.

• If you can’t find these items in smaller stores, try larger supermarkets or easily shop online.

Mix a cleaning solution with white vinegar. If you’d prefer not to spend money on store-bought cleaners, you can easily make an affordable and effective cleaning solution at home by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a bowl.

Apply the cleaning solution to the sofa. Don’t apply the cleaner directly to the surface of the sofa. Instead, soak a cloth with the solution and gently wipe the leather surface. Be sure to cover the entire sofa, using a crosshatch motion to ensure no spots are missed.

• The cloth should be damp but not soaking wet.

Wipe the sofa clean. Use a dry, clean cloth to wipe away any cleaner that you just applied to the surface of the sofa.

Apply a leather conditioner to the sofa and let it sit overnight. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts flaxseed oil. Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the sofa in a crisscross pattern.

• Let the solution remain on the sofa overnight, or for about 8 hours.

Polish the sofa. After applying the leather conditioner and letting it sit overnight, take a clean cloth and buff the sofa. This will leave the leather surface with a glossy, like-new finish!

• If your sofa has stains, treat them first using a spot cleaning product.
• If you're unsure which product to use for cleaning the sofa, contact the manufacturer or the store where you bought the sofa. Alternatively, search online for upholstery cleaning products suitable for your fabric type.

• Vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment
• Soap suitable for cleaning the type of sofa you have
• Carpet cleaning product/steam vacuum cleaner
• Soft cloth