There have been many times when a good piece of furniture has been ruined by poor cleaning. The only way is to know what your sofa is made of, how it is constructed, and how to clean it regularly. Here are some tips on how to clean your sofa.
Sofas and couches are pieces of furniture that get a lot of wear and tear. Sitting on them, jumping on them, piling on clothes, toys and knick-knacks can make even the best sofa look worn and tired in no time.
Sofas are available in a wide range of materials, fabrics, and designs. From cotton and linen upholstery to pure leather and faux leather, the range of materials is wide, and the maintenance also varies and requires special care. Conventional household cleaners are not suitable for “one size fits all” sofas. Since there are many dry cleaning products on the market today, you don’t necessarily need to hire a professional to do a good job at an exorbitant price.
The material of the sofa
Before you even decide on a sofa in the showroom, know what it is made of. With used furniture, it can be difficult to judge. When in doubt, look at the sofa’s label to see what it’s made of. Brand name sofas may have a letter code that gives cleaning instructions.
“W” indicates that the sofa requires washing with only water-based detergents. “S” indicates that the sofa requires only dry cleaning. “WS” indicates that the sofa requires washing with only water-based detergents. “X” indicates that the sofa requires only vacuuming. “O” indicates that the sofa is made of organic material and, since it is made of natural fibers, it should be cleaned with cold water.
If your sofa does not have these letter labels, you must take care of it. Leather sofas are irreversible. If they get wet. And fabric sofas require strong detergents to remove stains and dirt. Be careful when cleaning your sofas in Cronulla.
Sofa Cleaner
Choose the right sofa cleaner for your sofa. Leather cleaners and conditioners and water-based solutions are not the same. And used with caution. They are expensive, so it makes sense to choose them carefully.
Tips for cleaning your sofa
Detergents and cleaners are only suitable for removing deep stains. Before using them, it’s important to remove any dirt, grime, and dust that may have settled on them. Scrub the seats, corners, back, and arms of the sofa with a staple brush. Removing the dust will make it easier to reach deeper stains.
Surface Debris
Pet hair, food scraps, and heavy liquids are surface debris and must be vacuumed thoroughly or they will hinder the deep cleaning process. Remove cushions and thoroughly clean or vacuum the seat. Remove crumbs and dirt from corners and turn the sofa over to clean the underside.
Cleaning the sofa or couch should not be a regular family event. Sofa dust and dirt are major causes of stubborn allergies, especially in young children, such as rhinitis and bronchitis. Cleaning your sofa regularly can help prevent these illnesses and improve your quality of life.
Sofa upholstery fabrics and cleaning tips
- Leather: Leather not only gives your home an elegant and stylish look. But it also has very little dirt. It only needs vacuuming every other day to clean. However, if there is a need for deep clean, simply wipe the area with a cloth, mild detergent, and water. Immediately wipe the stain with a damp cloth, making sure the cloth is well moistened.
- Cotton: the most commonly used upholstery fabric. Cotton fabrics only need to wash once a month, as long as they require dusting regularly. And cotton tends to fade, so each fabric should be washed separately. Dry in the shade, as direct sunlight can cause discoloration.
- Velvet: This plump, luxurious velvet adds a royal touch to interiors and is suitable for light ruffling and cleaning. For stains, use a solvent with the cleaning code “S”. Try to cover as wide an area as possible to avoid a “clean circle.”
- Linen: Cleaning does not affect the quality of this fabric. Linen upholstery should be hand washed and shade dried.
- Suede: This fabric is resistant to dirt and stains. Suede fabrics should be vacuumed regularly. For stubborn stains, use a sponge with a mild detergent and wipe with a paper towel.
Common stains on upholstered furniture
Here are some of the most common stains and how to remove them.
- Milk, coffee, and tea: Soak the fabric in cold water. If the fabric indicates “dry clean only”, use a paper towel as a blotter and contact your dry cleaner.
- Grease: The sooner you take care of it, the better. Use an appropriate detergent and let it sit for a while. Always use hot water so that the detergent can work immediately.
- Alcohol/tomato paste: wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth. Soak in cold water and mild detergent for 30 minutes.
- Stains: let soak for a while. The stain can easily remove after drying. Scrape the stain out carefully with a soft plastic spatula. Apply liquid detergent to the stain and rub gently between your fingers.
- Lipstick: Gently wipe the stain with paper towels. Do not wipe as this may remove the stain. Lipstick stains are the best remove with household ammonia. If necessary, wash as directed with a mild detergent.
Tips to keep in mind for Cleaning Upholstery Fabrics
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning couches in Cronulla.
- The sooner you remove the stain, the easier it is to clean.
- Prepare a stain remover to make the job easier.
- Do not tumble dry or iron until the stain removes.
