How to clean a fabric sofa
Your fabric sofa looks fantastic from new, but this rarely lasts. With everyday use, the cushions flatten, spills and stains appear, and musty smells persevere on even the best sofas. Before you know it, this piece of furniture looks well-loved to say the least.
The good news is you can restore your fabric sofa, and we can show you how. We’ve rounded up our top tips and best advice to clean this soft upholstery, so you can make it look better for longer. Here’s what you need to do:
How do I clean my fabric couch?
1. Vacuum weekly
Vacuum your fabric sofa weekly using the upholstery attachment. Work your way across all surfaces, removing any cushions so you can reach hidden crumbs and dust. You can use the crevice tool to reach deep down the sides. If you’ve spotted some loose change down there, cover the hose end with a pair of tights and secure with an elastic band to easily collect lost items.
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2. Remove pet hair
If you’re dealing with pet hair, remove it with a lint roller; some are designed specifically for this purpose such as Beldray's Antibac Plus Gel Roller. Or alternatively, wet a clean rubber glove and gently brush it over the surface. It generates static, which will attract any rogue hairs.
3. Give the cushions some TLC
Remove the cushion and seat covers and wash according to the care label and fabric type. The majority of these will require professional cleaning, but some can go in the washing machine. Do not risk washing items in the washing machine if they do not specify to do so. I’ve seen cushion covers shrunk to the point that we could not refit them!
4. Spot treat any stains
Treat any spots and stains as soon as possible for the best chance of removal, blotting up the majority of the stain with paper towels, working from the outside in. Before you continue, check the care label for guidance on what you can use.
A ‘W’ symbol on the care label means water-based cleaners are allowed, including your typical stain removers and steam cleaners. An ‘S’ indicates water-free solvent cleaners only (aka dry cleaning), while an ‘X’ means vacuum only. You can use water-based cleaners where there’s a ‘S-W or W-S’ symbol. This is a mix of the first two. If you’re unsure, always check with the manufacturer.
If you see a W or an S-W/W-S on the care label, start by gently applying a little mild detergent combined with warm water to remove the stain, following the directions for blotting away the initial stain. Check for colourfastness first in an inconspicuous area. Failing that, you can go ahead and use a dedicated upholstery cleaner such as Dr Beckmann’s Upholstery Stain Remover. Alternatively, some carpet cleaner solutions can be applied to upholstery, too, such as Vanish Oxi Action Carpet and Upholstery Stain Remover Spray. Always follow the instructions on pack. Rinse away any residual soap with a damp cloth once you’re finished.
For especially stubborn stains, you could make use of a spot cleaner, too, or a carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment. Just check it’s suitable for use on upholstery and test in an inconspicuous area first. Give your sofa sufficient time to dry afterwards. The runner-up in our spot cleaner test, the Vax SpotWash Home Duo Spot Cleaner, was particularly effective on upholstery. You can purchase the Vax SpotWash Solution for added cleaning power.
5. Refresh with a steamer
Steam is brilliant for refreshing a fabric sofa. Look out for steam cleaners and clothes steamers with upholstery attachments for this very purpose. Although you should always check the care label to confirm that steam cleaning is suitable before proceeding and test in an inconspicuous area first.
Again, look for a ‘W’ symbol on the care label to check steam cleaning is suitable. If you’re unsure, check with the brand.
Work your way from top to bottom in strips as you steam your fabric sofa, ensuring full coverage, but avoid saturating the sofa, otherwise you could encourage mould. Leave the sofa to dry fully before using again. Pull it away from the wall and open up windows and doors to help with this. You could also place a dehumidifier nearby.
For a deep clean, you could also apply an upholstery cleaner by hand (or by carpet cleaning machine if allowed), such as HG Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Follow the instructions on pack, including the dilution recommendations.
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6. Deal with smells
If any smells linger after you’ve removed the stains, bicarb can come to the rescue. Just sprinkle it directly on top of the source of the smell, leave overnight, and vacuum it away in the morning. Repeat as necessary.
Good tips for future care
Rotate any cushions and seat covers as you replace them to even out the wear and plump them up.
If pets are prone to leave stains and hair on your fabric sofa, protect it with a throw or blanket.
Don’t allow food or items that are liable to stain on the couch unless protected. To this day I remember covering a biro mark with a pillow and hoping my mum wouldn’t notice!
Keep your fabric sofa out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Watch what you wear before you sit – non-colourfast clothing can easily transfer on to light fabrics. Denim is a major culprit here.
FAQs
What is the best thing to use to clean my fabric sofa?
This really depends on the type of cleaner your care label allows you to use. Generally speaking, for those materials that allow water-based cleaners, Dr. Beckmann’s Upholstery Stain Remover or a spot cleaning machine are great for targeted stain removal. But if you’re just looking to refresh your sofa on a regular basis, a steam cleaner or clothes steamer with an upholstery attachment is a good solution.
How do you clean a fabric sofa without leaving water marks?
The answer to this lies in only applying as much water as you need, as well as in an even application. That’s why steam is best to use for refreshing your sofa. But even spot cleaning machines will vacuum the water back up as it applies to prevent saturation. If you’re concerned about water marks, always test in an inconspicuous area first.
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