The best way to clear a sofa with material in 7 steps + a DIY couch cleansing answer to make upholstery vibrant and contemporary.
Cleansing a sofa is true up there on the chores record of issues I dread alongside cleansing the oven, scrubbing the bathe, and mopping flooring all rolled up into one. It’s a exercise!
However when it’s achieved? It feels SO good, plus, it’s like having a model new couch.
Over time, we’ve had 5 couches, all of which went by way of trails and errors in cleansing. However I’ve discovered the successful mixture of some completely different strategies if you happen to’ve ever wished to know how you can clear your sofa, plus a DIY couch cleansing answer that’s fast and low cost to make.
This was our sofas’ grubby “earlier than” (photos make it look higher than it did in particular person). We acquired our two down mix Pottery Barn York couches (which I shared the total unbiased professional/con evaluate about right here) a couple of yr in the past.
I used to be below the impression that the Sunbrella material would stay a crisp clear white with simply needing the occasional spot therapy as a result of it’s an excellent excessive efficiency upholstery material. However time has confirmed to me that it nonetheless will get dingy identical to you’d count on any white couch would (shock, shock).
We now have a canine and two kiddos who spill throughout them, monitor filth throughout them, and truthfully, Robert and I aren’t precisely the best on these sofas both. We now have little to no guidelines in opposition to meals and drinks on these couches, and our crew is a rowdy bunch, so you may think about the carnage.
It referred to as for an all-over majorly intense sofa cleansing. This technique I exploit works on material chairs too, slipcovered or not.
The best way to Clear a Sofa with Upholstery
I like to recommend doing this sofa deep cleansing technique a couple of times per yr (I normally want spring and fall). However it’s greatest to hoover couches as soon as per thirty days and deal with spills as quickly as they occur to forestall everlasting stains.
Over time, I’ve cleaned every part from our slipcovered IKEA couches to upholstered sofas and chairs, they usually’ve all resulted in a fantastically deep clear that appears like new.
Provides
Earlier than You Begin
At all times examine any cleansing answer you’re utilizing in an not noticeable space first. Scrub a small space with a white fabric and cleansing answer. If colour from the sofa exhibits up on the fabric, don’t use the cleansing answer in your sofa.
Verify your sofa producer’s directions for cleansing tips on the label.
Upholstered Furnishings Cleansing Codes
W – Water primarily based cleansing brokers or foam could also be used, ideally distilled water.
S – Solely delicate, water-free cleansing solvents.
S/W – Water-based cleansing brokers could also be used, distilled water advisable.
X – Clear solely by vacuuming or gentle brushing to take away soil.
Step 1 – Take away Cushion Covers
If attainable, unzip and take away covers from the sofa cushions. Take the time to “fluff” the cushions and batting. Give the covers a very good shake to launch any free particles.
(In the event you can’t take away your cushion covers, transfer on to Step 3.)
Step 2 – Wash Cushion Covers on Chilly/Light
My favourite mixture for white material throughout our home (sheets/towels/bedding/slipcovers) is washing in 1 cap stuffed with OxiClean White Revive and 1 cup of baking soda. It makes all dingy, soiled whites look vibrant and clear with out bleach!
The OxiClean White Revive is colour secure and septic secure, if that’s a priority for you. I used it on our white IKEA slipcovers for years to get them as white as attainable.
Wash the couch cushion covers on chilly and on the mild cycle.
Line dry till damp, DO NOT tumble dry. It’s greatest to place clear covers again on the couch cushions whereas they’re nonetheless damp to stretch out wrinkles, stop shrinking, and make them simpler to place again on.
In the event you’re washing slipcovers on your complete sofa, you may toss the entire thing within the wash individually from the cushion covers to forestall overcrowding.
However since our couches primarily wanted cleansing on the arms, I didn’t wish to undergo the trouble of cleansing your complete cowl. You should utilize this technique beneath on hooked up couch upholstery too.
Step 3 – Vacuum Sofa Upholstery
Take away any free hair, filth, and particles below sofa cushions and on the sofa upholstery itself with a vacuum wand brush attachment. Get in each nook and crevice as a lot as attainable with the wand hose.
We now have this Shark Navigator Carry-Away Vacuum that we love!
Step 4 – Sprinkle Baking Soda
To assist soak up any odors, sprinkle baking soda everywhere in the couch (specializing in excessive site visitors spots just like the couch arms) and let it sit for at the least half-hour.
Use the vacuum wand attachment once more to hoover up the baking soda.
Step 5 – Make a DIY Sofa Cleaner Answer
I’ve used just a few upholstery cleaners previously (Folex is one I usually like), however I’ve discovered mixing this DIY sofa cleaner in a twig bottle to be simply as efficient.
Combine in a twig bottle:
- 2 cups distilled water
- 2 Tbsp clear Daybreak dish cleaning soap
- 2 Tbsp white distilled vinegar
Solely use this cleaner in case your sofa’s producer label permits water-based cleansing brokers.
Step 6 – Spray Sofa Cloth with Cleaner
Spritz the sofa upholstery with the water/cleaning soap/vinegar answer till damp.
Step 7 – Wipe Couch Cloth Floor
Utilizing a dry, lint-free fabric, wipe the dirty couch material floor to take away any filth and dirt.
Non-obligatory: When you have an upholstery cleansing machine (we’ve got this Bissell Little Inexperienced Stain Cleaner we like), use it after this step for a good deeper clear.
Permit your couch to air dry earlier than placing cushions in place.
Cleaned Sofa
Does it look so significantly better?! It smells completely superb. Robert has mentioned again and again ever since I cleaned our couches just a few days in the past that they really feel like model new! So fluffy and vibrant!
The excellent news is, despite the fact that it’s fairly a chore to do, if you happen to make it a part of your common spring and/or fall cleansing together with spot cleansing powerful stains after they occur, it will possibly prolong the lifetime of your material couches.
I used to be actually feeling the couch material remorse final week, however now that these couches have gotten a deep clear, I’m even happier with these Pottery Barn couches that we saved up for for years.
Even when we did have feathers flying all through the entire cleansing course of, I nonetheless love how squishy tender and cozy they’re.
All in all… completely value it.
My reward for tackling this sofa cleansing chore was to bust out some fall decor to make this front room really feel additional cozy, so you may guess what comes subsequent in right here. 😉
By the way in which, in case you wish to know since generally folks ask, listed here are our front room’s decor sources.
Residing Room Decor Sources
