How to Clean a Fabric Sofa at Home

How to Clean a Fabric Sofa at Home

Fabric sofas look great and can be especially cozy. They can also be a major nightmare when it comes to cleaning. But spills are bound to happen from time to time and, unless you want to adorn your couch with those beautiful plastic covers, you’re going to need to know how to clean a fabric sofa.

Reclaim your couch’s lounge-worthy status with the help of some handy how-tos.
 

But First…Look Before You Clean

There are a few factors you need to keep in mind when determining how to clean a fabric sofa properly.

1. You need to review your manufacturer’s instructions:

Always, always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before attempting to remove stains from your sofa or freshen up your couch. Failing to do so could void warranties or flat-out ruin your couch.

2. The tags can answer many cleaning questions:

If you can’t find the manufacturer’s instructions, don’t fret. There should be a tag on your sofa cushions that clues you in on important facts, such as whether the material is water soluble. Keep in mind that one side of the tag may address the cleaning of the sofa cover, while the other will provide information for washing the cushions themselves. Make sure you’re looking at the correct tag before you clean.

3. Properly reading a cleaning tag can save you a lot of grief:

Typically, you’ll find one of four letters on the cleaning tag of your sofa. Here’s what each means:

W — You can clean this material using water.

S — No water. You’ll need to purchase a special solvent-based cleaner.

WS — You can use water or a solvent-based cleaner on this sofa.

X — Vacuum only.

4. You should never deviate from the recommended cleaning methods on the tags:

Water may seem innocuous, but if you use it to clean a couch that specifically calls for a solvent-based cleaner and nothing else, you’re going to be in for an unpleasant surprise. Believe it or not, the water will actually leave a stain on your sofa. Don’t risk ruining your furniture. Stick to the tags. They know what’s best for your couch.

How to Clean a Fabric Sofa If It’s Stained

If your sofa tag is marked with an “X,” you should only vacuum it with an attachment. And, as you now know, sofas tagged with “S” require solvent-based cleaners that should be clearly labeled with the directions you need for those particular products. The cleaning instructions below should only be used for sofas with tags marked “W” or “WS.”

You’ll need the following items and ingredients:

A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment

At least three light-colored microfiber cloths that won’t bleed on your sofa

A bucket

Distilled water (The minerals in tap water can leave residue behind. A quick Internet search should yield plenty of DIY instructions on distilling water, or you can find an inexpensive jug at almost any grocery store.)

Liquid dish soap

Distilled white vinegar

Note: You should always spot test homemade solutions on a small, inconspicuous area of the material before you begin cleaning.

Vacuum your couch so you’re not rubbing in dirt or debris while cleaning.

In the bucket, mix about 2 cups of distilled water with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

Dampen a microfiber cloth with your cleaning solution.

Gently blot any stained areas with the cloth. Don’t rub or scrub. This can damage the fibers.

Moisten a fresh microfiber cloth with distilled water (no dishwashing liquid or vinegar this time), and blot the affected area to remove any remaining soap.

With a dry microfiber cloth, blot the area one more time.

Point a fan on the area to make sure it dries completely.

How to Steam Clean Your Couch

If you have a sofa marked “W” or “WS,” you may be able to use an upholstery steam cleaner. Before you get excited, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the steamer to see whether it’s OK to use it on your couch fabric. While, “W” and “WS” sofas may be able to withstand water, they can’t always take the heat.

Additionally, you’ll want to do a spot test on a small out-of-the-way part of the sofa to make sure steaming won’t cause any permanent damage.

When it comes to figuring out how to steam clean a couch, you’re really just going to follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with the upholstery steamer. They should tell you what settings you’ll need to use. There are a few tricks that can make your cleaning more successful, though:

Vacuum your sofa before you start to steam clean. After you have steamed and the sofa has completely dried, vacuum it again.

Pick a nice day to steam clean your couch so that you can open the windows and air out the room.

Some steam cleaners use microfiber cloths to help pick up debris. You’ll want to change these out as you steam so you can pick up all the dirt.

After steaming, point a fan on your couch to help it dry completely.

Wait until the water in the steamer cools before dumping it out.

How to Clean a Fabric Couch That Smells

Like with so many other materials and features around the house, baking soda can help eliminate odors in your couch as well. This miracle substance immediately gets to work capturing odors and loosening stains after it is applied to your couch's fabric. Apply baking soda to your cushions, arms, backrest, and even crevices. You may want to give more attention to stains. Let the baking soda sit for 20 minutes if you are eliminating minor odors. Feel free to leave it for a full hour if you have some serious stench to deal with. Now break out the vacuum and hose everything up. Lastly, it's important to remember that baking soda is not a substitute for actually steam cleaning or blot cleaning your sofa. Those methods are the better way to effectively eliminate stains and dirt hanging onto the fabric fibers. 

Now you know how to clean a fabric sofa so that you can get right back to snuggling and streaming your favorite shows. Have any other stains you need to get rid of? Take a look at these tips on tackling those nasty red wine stains.

Contract Upholstery Care: Seating Fabric Cleaning Cheat Sheet

There are many different types of seating fabric and while most can be easily cleaned with warm water and detergent, stubborn stains will need specific treatment.

Nylon, Polyester and other man-made woven seating fabrics

Nylon and the many other man-made fabrics are strong, lightweight and require relatively little care and maintenance. They are crease and mildew resistant.

Cleaning

Clean spills immediately using warm water and detergent. Stubborn marks can be scrubbed.

Use anti-static spray such as Ambersil Anti-Static to remove dust-attracting static charge.

Dried-on stains can be vacuumed.

Deep Cleaning

For stubborn stains (ink, cosmetics, wine etc) use water with 20% methylated spirit dissolved in it, followed by detergent and warm water.

To remove nail polish, dab with nail polish remover and use acetone if the stain does not disappear.

To remove oil, sprinkle talcum powder on the spot and leave it to work and brush it away after a few minutes. Then carefully dab it with a benzene or methylated spirit moistened cloth.

To remove chewing-gum or wax, cool with ice or frozen material in a plastic bag and scrape away.

Wool seating fabrics

Wool is warm in the cold, cool in the heat, anti-static and environmentally-friendly. But wool is a thick fabric and penetrating stains can be difficult to remove.

Cleaning

Clean spills as soon as they happen by first soaking up as much of the liquid as possible. Use luke-warm water, sparingly, with detergent (wool can stretch or shrink). Dust can be vacuumed

Deep Cleaning

Wash stubborn stains with luke-warm water and detergent, as above, but be more vigorous.

To remove stains resistant to water, lightly dab a cloth sparingly moistened with acetone, benzene or turpentine.

To remove chewing gum and wax, first cool with ice cubes in a plastic bag, break up the wax and take away the loose pieces. 

Caution:

Hard scrubbing can damage the structure of wool fabrics

Cotton seating fabrics

Cotton is a natural fibre known to be a soft and comfortable with wide-spread use. Cotton is absorbent if not treated with protectants.

Cleaning

Clean spills immediately using warm water and detergent.

Deep Cleaning

To remove tough stains, try applying a cotton specific stain remover such as Vanish Gold Oxi Action Powder – but always first test the product on a hidden area, following the products instructions.

Maintenance

Cotton fabric protectors such as Scotchguard Fabric and Upholstery Protector are available and will make your upholstery less prone to staining.

As always the best way of repairing furniture is to avoid it getting damaged in the first place. Read our 17 common causes of contract furniture damage here. Want more tips about contract upholstery? Read our blog and discover 25 points to consider when ordering that will affect the speed of delivery, lifespan, and overall design and feel of contract upholstery, sofas and soft seating.

Free Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide

Get more from your contract furniture by caring for it properly.
Download our Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide to learn how to make your furniture last longer in a hospitality space.

Practical Tips to Take Care of Different Types of Fabrics

With all of the different types of fabrics found in our clothes and household items, one might even have to take a class on how to handle each one of them. Some fabrics require very little care, while others are so delicate that a single mistake can ruin them. Getting acquainted with the different materials will help you know what to do to clean them safely. You can also create a chart and place it near your washer and dryer so that you remember how to care for your most delicate fabrics.

How to Wash Different Fabrics

Here are some practical tips to help you take care of different types of fabrics.

Acetate is one of the more delicate fabrics. It will wrinkle easily and may melt when exposed to high heat. While washing an item made of acetate, use lukewarm water and don’t wring the water out of it after rinsing it, as wringing can cause the fabric to wrinkle. While drying, you can either lay the item flat on a towel or hang it on a hanger in an open area.

Cotton fabrics should be washed in hot water. Use a mild soap, and make sure to treat any spots or stains as soon as you notice them. In order to prevent wrinkles, tumble dry using warm air. Remove the cloths immediately as soon as the dryer turns off to prevent wrinkling and then hang or fold it. If a cotton item becomes wrinkled while in the closet, toss it in the dryer with a moist rag and allow it to tumble until the rag is dry and the wrinkles are gone.

Linens are rather easy to care for. Wash in cool water and hang on the line to dry. While you can dry them in a dryer, you will have to use the lowest heat setting possible. Linens are another type of fabric that will hold tight to stains. As soon as a stain is noticed, treat and wash immediately. If linens end up wrinkled, you can iron them using a low heat setting.

Polyester is an extremely versatile fabric and is often used in blends for added durability. Polyester and polyester blends can be washed in cool water in a mild setting. Use a mild detergent and stain remover if needed. Polyester fabrics can be air-dried or tumble-dried on a low to medium heat setting. If you air dry a polyester garment or fabric, you will need to either lay it flat or hang it up to prevent wrinkling. While drying polyester fabrics in a dryer may not result in wrinkling, it is still important to hang the items up as soon as they are dry so that they don’t develop an odor.

Silk is one of the most delicate fabrics in use. It is preferable to hand wash silk in cool water, but it can be machine washed on a very mild setting. It is essential to remove silk items from the washer as soon as the rinse cycle is finished to prevent wrinkling. Silk can be tumble-dried on a cool setting or air-dried. It must be hung up immediately after being removed from the dryer to prevent wrinkling.

Wool is one of the most versatile fabrics available, but it is also one of the more difficult ones to clean. Hand washing wool in cool to lukewarm water is preferred. When drying wool, you need to hang it out to dry or lie it flat on a towel. Any amount of heat could cause the fabric to shrink or lose its shape.

Acetate: Hand Wash and Air Dry

Cotton: Hot Water and Warm Tumble Dry

Linen: Cool Water and Air Dry

Polyester: Cool Wash and Tumble Dry or Air Dry

Silk: Hand Wash/Cool and Cool Tumble Dry or Air Dry

Wool: Hand Wash and Air Dry

Caring for your fabrics appropriately is essential if you want them to last. When you have questions about how to take care of certain types of fabrics, contact the experts at Fresh and Clean Laundry in Chula Vista. We are your one-stop shop for all your laundry needs, whether it is laundry or dry cleaning. Visit our website or call us today at 619-691-7626 to learn how we can help you do your laundry and dry cleaning in no time.