The sofa in your living room represents your home.All use this furniture piece to relax after spending the whole day working or maybe for watching some movies at night.
For any person living in Australia, this sofa must be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions. That is, it should resist high humidity levels experienced during summer time, sand particles brought in from beaches during sunny days and rain water brought by mud paws from the winter.
It should also be able to resist the spills resulting from late night snacking and partying activities. As a result of constant usage, the fabric sofa ends up increasing dust, soil and other particles in the shortest possible time than any other furniture in your entire home.
Cleaning the sofas that they have made out of cloth may be such a daunting task to the extent that it scares some people off for fear that they will damage the furniture using stains or water. However, sofa maintenance does not have to be a hard task if people just knew how to go about it. This complete guide will show you how to do it all.
The Tools You Will Need Before You Start
It is important to get some preparations prior to the start of the stain removal or cleaning process. This will save you a lot of time and make you more confident.
- Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment: Vacuum cleaners that come with an upholstery attachment are highly recommended since these devices can suck out any dirt particles from the fabric without causing any damage to it.
- Microfiber cloths: Microfiber cloths are mandatory; however, you need to avoid using colored towels for cleaning purposes since colors may be extracted during the cleaning process.
- Distilled water: Regular tap water contains a large amount of minerals, therefore it is advisable to use distilled water that is inexpensive and harmless.
- White vinegar: This is a natural compound that is able to remove any stains quickly.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is a powdery substance that absorbs moisture.
- Dish soap: Dish soap is useful in removing stains.
- Soft bristle brush: This tool is useful when dealing with hard stains.
Understanding Your Sofa's Cleaning Codes
You can’t just assume how to wash your fabric couch. Each couch is designed with unique tags that show the universal codes for washing your sofa. These tags are placed somewhere in the sofa’s frame or underneath its cushions. Failure to consider the codes will result in staining and shrinking of the material.
- W – Water-Based Cleaners
The easiest fabric is one that allows you to clean it using water-based cleaners. You can use water and soap, as well as upholstery sprays and steam cleaners.
- S – Solvent-Based Cleaners
This means that the fabric should be washed using solvent-based cleaners only. Using any other type of cleaner on this couch will leave large stains, which are almost impossible to remove. You will need to buy specific solvents from stores and make sure you have the windows open when cleaning because of the fumes.
- WS (Water/Solvent)
The use of liquid cleaners of both types is applicable for cleaning this specific kind of material. Both types are very adaptable. Nevertheless, as always, it is recommended to carry out a test on a small part of the fabric beforehand.
- X (Vacuum Only)
Although this is an extremely uncommon code, it denotes that the fabric is unable to be cleaned with any solvent or liquid cleanser. It may only be vacuumed.
Cleaning: The Weekly Process
Even though there is no need for cleaning the sofa on a daily basis, cleaning once a week will prevent the dust from becoming ingrained in the fabric of the furniture.
- Method One: The Dry Brush
Find a brush that has soft bristles, and start brushing the surfaces of the couch with it. As a result, you will be able to remove all the dirt and pet crumbs.
- Method Two: The Vacuum Cleaner
Place the upholstery brush on the vacuum cleaner. Make sure you clean all the corners, especially the sitting area and the arm rests since they collect the most dust and dead skin cells. Also, take off all the cushions and use the crevice brush of the vacuum cleaner in order to clean between them.
- Method Three: Fluff and Turn
While removing the cushions, gently fluff them to inflate them with air. If the cushions are identical on both sides, turn them over before putting them back in place. Regularly turning the cushions every week ensures that one side does not wear out faster than the rest of the sofa.
How to Tackle Fresh Spills Immediately
Should a person drop an item of food or spill a glass of liquid, immediate action is necessary. Liquid stains can only penetrate into fabric faster the longer they are left on the material.
Do Not Rub
Should you spill a red wine or coffee stain, your natural reaction would be to take out a clean towel and start rubbing the stain away. Resist the temptation. Rubbing simply forces liquid further down into the fiber structure of the material and expands the size of the stain.
Blotting Instead
What should you actually do? Take a fresh dry white paper towel or a microfiber cloth. Place it firmly and steadily on top of the stain.
The dry towel will soak up all the liquid. Then lift it and press it back onto the stain. Always from outside to inside to avoid spreading the stain wider and wider.
How to Do Deep Cleaning of Your Fabric Couch at Home
In case your sofa has "W" or "WS" codes, you may do it by yourself. This procedure should be carried out twice a year for removing body oil, sweat caused by the heat, and other living-room smells.
Step 1: Freshening with the Help of Baking Soda
To begin with, you have to make sure that your sofa is clean and dry. Pour a box of baking soda onto your seat cushions, backrests, and armrests. You should know that baking soda absorbs smells.
Thus, this ingredient will help you to get rid of the foul smell in an environmentally friendly way, as it does not contain any artificial fragrances. Let the powder stay on your couch for 30 minutes, but if your sofa smells like a wet dog or moldy foods, give it some extra time – wait until one hour. Then, vacuum it all up.
Step 2: Preparation of the Mixture
Pour one glass of distilled water, a teaspoon of white vinegar, and a tiny bit of clear liquid dish soap into the sprayer. Gently shake it.
Step 3: Hidden Spot Testing
Be careful not to use the cleaning solution directly on the middle of your sofa. Instead, place the solution drop at the bottom part of your sofa in the back area. Scrub it using a clean white rag. If you notice that your white rag gets stained with the color of your sofa, stop the application process right away.
Step 4: The Wiping
It is important to note that the cleaning process should neither wet nor ruin your furniture. Spray the cleaning solution onto the microfiber cloth but do not spray it directly to your sofa. Swipe the slightly damp cloth across the sofa. This will remove any layer of dust and body oils on the surface.
Step 5: Drying Time
The warm weather in Australia provides the best environment for drying your furniture. You can open the window of your living room to let the breeze blow in.
You can turn on your ceiling fan as well. It is necessary to dry your furniture completely before you sit back on your sofa. Wetting your sofa fabric will make it stretch.
Dealing With Difficult Stains (Wine, Grease, Ink, Pet-related):
There are occasions when wiping alone will not be sufficient. The solution is specific to each stain.
- Difficult Grease Or Oil Spills (Pizza, Butter, Lotion Etc):
A stain caused by grease cannot be removed simply by running water over it. Should you happen to spill greasy things, sprinkle them with loads of baking soda / corn starch immediately.
Leave it to stay there for twenty minutes as the powder will extract all grease from the stain. Then vacuum it. Should anything remain, apply it with the help of a piece of cloth which had been soaked in detergent solution.
- Red Wine Or Blackberry:
Start with blotting it out. Now, make a paste of baking soda with water in an equal ratio. Put it on the red stain. Let it dry before removing the paste with the help of a vacuum cleaner.
- Stains Due To Inks In Pens:
Moisten a cotton ball using rubbing alcohol. Put the cotton ball containing rubbing alcohol on the ink stain without rubbing.
Consequently, the stain due to ink will not disperse to other areas. Alcohol is able to dissolve ink stains quickly. The stain can be easily removed using the aid of paper towels.
- Urine Stains From Animals:
Pets tend to be quite stubborn at times. Nevertheless, if there is some urine stain that is giving off an odor, the pets would go back to it. Firstly, you have to dry the urine stain, and then use an equal mixture of vinegar and water on it.
How to Wash Removable Sofa Covers
For sofas that allow their covers to be removed via zippers, the task of cleaning is made easy. However, washing them wrongly may render them unusable.
- The first step would be looking for instructions inside the sofa cover itself. Some washable covers require professional dry cleaning despite being washable.
- If the sofa cover tag indicates it can be washed in a machine, remove the cover and zip it shut to prevent the sharp edges of the zipper from damaging the fabric.
- The cover should be cleaned in cold water on a delicate cycle.
- Golden Rule of Sofa Cover Drying:Do not use the hot tumble dryer to dry your sofa covers because the heat will cause the covers to shrink, making it impossible for you to stretch them again over the foam cushions. After washing your sofa covers, hang them out to dry under a tree or somewhere in the shade.
- While they are still 90% wet and a little damp to the touch, stretch them over the cushion inserts. As they continue to dry on top of the cushion, they will shrink a little, hugging the foam with perfection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Fabric
The following are some of the common errors that will result in damage to your sofa:
- Over-Watering:
You can easily ruin your sofa when you apply lots of water on the stains because the water gets absorbed deep inside the foam core of your sofa. The foam takes a long to dry, and when it dries in a soaked condition, molds and mildews start growing inside the furniture, and nothing will be usable anymore. Don’t use buckets of water; rather, use damp towels.
- Aggressive Brushing:
The fabric is fragile, and brushing the stains aggressively using rough brushes will shred the fabric threads. In the end, you will only be left with an uncovered and ruined upholstery.
- Using Chemicals:
Avoid cleaning your sofa with harsh chemical products such as those used in bathrooms. They will take off all colors from your sofa, leaving large areas of bleached upholstery.
Prevention of Damaging Your Sofa
Now that you have cleaned your sofa, the next important aspect would be ensuring the protection of your freshly cleaned sofa to keep it hygienic for a prolonged period.
- Protective Spray for Your Couch:
It is always advisable to invest in a reliable stain guard for your fabric and then spray all over the fabric. This way, if any liquid spills over it, then it will remain on top without getting soaked in your couch fabric. You can simply wipe away the dirt or stains with the help of a cloth.
- Cover Up for Your Pet Dogs:
For dog owners who have pets and who prefer sleeping on the couch, it is recommended that they place an easy to wash blanket on their designated area. It is far easier to wash a blanket than a couch.
- Sunlight Prevention:
The sun rays tend to bleach away the darker colors within days. Make sure that your couch is not exposed to direct sunlight.
When to Call in a Professional Cleaner
While it might be possible for you to deal with most of the dust, spills, and odors in your home, there comes a time when you should let professionals take care of the upholstery.
If your couch is made using a very delicate fabric such as real silk, velvet, or 100% linen, it could end up bearing marks permanently due to moisture. Moreover, if your sofa tag has the letter “X” on it, then you should not attempt to clean it. If the piece of furniture is a vintage and valuable antique, then you should also avoid cleaning it.
A professional cleaner has access to high-powered extraction machines. The machine shoots the required amount of chemicals into the fibers and pulls everything out instantly with years' worth of grime. Every few years, it is wise to have your costly furniture cleaned professionally.
Find Your Perfect Fabric Sofa at Cassa Vida
There is no better way of making your living room space feel clean and cozy than by having a sofa that smells fresh after cleaning. Knowing your fabric code, taking care of stains promptly using the correct cleaning technique and regularly vacuuming the piece of furniture once a week are some ways of ensuring that your sofa remains in excellent condition even under the most adverse conditions posed by the Australian climate and hectic lifestyle.
If you wish to add new furniture to your living room, then you have come to the right place. One of the leading online furniture stores in Australia, Cassa Vida provides an excellent selection of high-end fabric sofas that can transform your living room into a cozy haven. Browse through our wide range of Fabric Sofa Collections.
FAQs
1. Can the fabric sofa be cleaned using steam?
Steam cleaning is only possible for a sofa marked with "W" cleaning code. It requires very high heat and moisture levels that would dissolve the material of artificial sofas and shrink the fabric of natural sofas in the absence of water resistance.
2. How often does the sofa need deep cleaning?
The sofa should be vacuumed once a week and cleaned twice a year with baking soda and wipes. In families with several pets or young children, frequent spot cleaning might be necessary.
3. Will the use of baking soda result in a white stain on the dark sofa?
Only when the sofa fabric is wet. Apply baking soda only to dry fabric. If you put it on wet fabric, it forms a paste that’s difficult to remove. On dry sofa fabric, however, it stays loose, so you can easily vacuum it away.
4. Is it alright to use baby wipes to remove small stains?
In any scenario, it is wise not to use baby wipes because they will likely have an oil-based solution that may cause oil stains to the fabric. It would be much better to use a damp microfiber cloth with dish soap solution rather than baby wipes.
5. How should I handle the ring effect when cleaning up the stain?
A ring effect simply means that the drying process has been uneven in the particular section. It is always prudent in this situation to spray the distilled water evenly across the cushion.
