Some household items are easier to clean than others. For instance, when your dishes are dirty, you put them in the dishwasher and allow the machine to do the rest. Likewise, when your laundry is smelly, you simply stick it in the washer. Couches, on the other hand, are a nightmare when it comes to cleaning. While a couch is a perfect place to unwind after a long day at work, it often attracts dirt and food crumbs from night snacks and foul smell from stinky feet. This happens gradually, and most people tend to forget that their sofas need cleaning after every few months. Unless you want to keep your couch adorned with delightful plastic covers, you will need the following tips on how to clean it.
Identify its Fabric
The first step in couch cleaning is identifying their fabric. Couches come in different materials, with some of them having washable and removable cushions. Some are made with materials like linen or cotton-blend that are easy to clean with natural home ingredients, while others like microfiber present a daunting task. You need to look for the fabric tag to determine what your couch is made of and how to clean it.
A significant number of manufacturers use letter codes to indicate what the fabric should be cleaned with. For instance, the letter “S” indicates that your couch requires dry cleaning or should only be cleaned with water-free detergent. The letter “W” means that you can clean your couch with water-based detergent while “X” indicates that it should only be vacuumed. Similarly, the letter “O” specifies that the material of your couch is made from natural fibers and should only be cleaned with cold water while “WS” means that you can either dry clean them or use water-based cleansers. This information is vital as it can help you avoid damaging your couch in your quest to restore its freshness.
Ready the Couch for Grooming
You can prepare your couch for the cleaning job using a dry white washcloth to brush its entire surface. In doing so, you will break any dried-on spots and remove any particles that may be stuck in your sofa’s nooks and crannies. You can also utilize a stiff brush for the grooming but if you opt for a towel or washcloth, avoid colored ones as their dye can alter the color of your couch. Also, take note of the driest areas of your couch such as the arm and head rests as they may need more attention.
Vacuuming to Remove Surface Debris
To remove surface debris such food crumbs, pet hair, dust and dirt from your couch, you will need to use a handhold vacuum cleaner or Dustbuster. You might also need to remove the cushions to vacuum the seat thoroughly. Remember to turn the couch over and vacuum the bottom side.
Odor Removal
Sofas often get smelly odors from food crumbs or dirty feet. Among the commonest and most effective ways of getting rid of the couch odor is sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda. Allow the baking soda to sit for at least twenty minutes or an hour before vacuuming the entire surface of your couch. If you feel that the baking soda did not completely eradicate the smell, you can mix it with dry carpet cleaner and leave it to sit for 20 minutes before vacuuming it.
Removing Stains
Couch stains can be removed by use of chemical products or homemade solutions. The latter can be made by mixing white vinegar, warm water, and baking soda. Whichever solution you opt for, be sure to test it on a small part on a hidden section of the fabric to ensure that it does not alter the color or damage the material of your sofa. Testing is especially critical for vintage antique pieces as they do not have cleaning codes.
Final Words
While most responsible furniture owner’s clean spills from their couches immediately after they happen, there still comes a time when a thorough cleaning job is required. Couches come in different materials, which call for different levels of care especially when employing DIY cleaning methods. Ensure to perform a little test before using any cleaning solutions on your couch.
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