Owning a fabric couch surely has its advantages. Unlike a leather sofa, it won’t get too cold during the winter, or stick to your behind and back during those sweaty summer days. However, cleaning it is much more complicated since you cannot just wipe it down and be done with it. If you own pets or have kids, there is a good chance that your couch doesn’t look like its old self anymore. Buying a new one can be an issue, especially with inflation and these prices today. Luckily, there are some amazing ways you can clean your old sofa and return it to its previous state. Forget about nasty stains and dirty cushions, just follow these tips, and your couch will look brand new.
Grab your vacuum cleaner and a brush
Before you get to the actual stain-removing part, you need to clean the surface of your couch and remove all those crumbs, dirt, or pet hair. It is advised to use the brush attachment so you can really get all that filth out. If you don’t have one, use a stiff brush to loosen the dirt so your vacuum can remove it easily.
Sprinkle some baking soda
It has become really clear that baking soda is not just for baking. This powder has some amazing qualities and you can use it for anything from cleaning your oven to removing grime from your counters. It also comes in handy when you need to clean your old couch. If it has become a bit smelly from your dog or cat, you can remove the smell by sprinkling some baking soda over the sofa cushions. Just let the baking soda sit for half an hour (or a bit longer) and then vacuum it. Doing this every month or so is the trick to keeping your couch fresh.
Make a solution with baking soda
Yes, baking soda is not just for removing that nasty smell, it can also help you get rid of horrid stains. However, before you move on to this step, please check the tag on your sofa. Furniture manufacturers often tell their customers how to clean a fabric couch via the tag. Look for the white tag on the platform or under the footrests. If it has a code “W” on it, you can clean it with water-based cleaning agents. In this case, mix some baking soda with warm water and create a paste. Dab the paste on the stain, rub it in gently, and leave it there for half an hour. Then just vacuum the spot and you are done. If you have spilled something on your sofa, blot the stain with a clean cloth and immediately place some baking soda on that spot. Again, wait half an hour and then vacuum the sofa.
Vinegar to the rescue
If your couch tag has the code “W” on it, you can also use another item you have in your kitchen to clean it – vinegar. Use half a cup of vinegar, a cup of distilled water, and a few drops of your dish soap to create a powerful cleaning spray. Put the mixture in your spray bottle and then spray the sport, blot the stain, and let the sofa air dry. Vinegar is known for its dirt-loosening ability, so give it a go.
Use rubbing alcohol
When a sofa has the “S” code, you are not supposed to clean it with water. Instead, you should use a dry-cleaning solvent. Rubbing alcohol will do the trick in this case. Mix one cup of alcohol with half a cup of water, dip a clean cloth into the mixture, and blot the stain with it. Let the couch air dry and all that nasty alcohol smell will disappear, along with the stain.
Throw the covers into your washing machine
If your couch has a “W” cleaning code and features removable covers, make your life easier and put them in the washing machine. Use a dye-free liquid detergent and wash the covers in a cold water cycle with the zippers closed.
Fabric couches may seem tricky to clean, but when you have the right tools and instructions, all those annoying stains will become easy to manage.
