How To Clean A Fabric Sofa

A cosy essential for every home, there’s nothing better than having a comfy fabric sofa to sink into. With a wide range of styles, colours, patterns and materials to choose from, there’s a sofa to suit all home aesthetics.

As one of the most used pieces of furniture in your home, your sofa needs to put up with a lot of wear and tear. Without proper care and cleaning, your sofa may start looking quite ragged, and a dirty, stained sofa is not very inviting.

A fabric sofa can sometimes be tricky to clean and keep clean. Spills happen, crumbs can fall into all the nooks and crannies, and dust and hair can accumulate within the fibres. To keep your fabric sofa looking as good as possible for years, regular cleaning is essential.

Check fabric type

If you have a fabric sofa, before you grab a scrubbing brush and start cleaning, you first need to check the specific cleaning instructions for that particular fabric.

Different fabrics may have different cleaning requirements, some fabrics are more sturdy, while others can be sensitive to certain cleaning products. Always check cleaning and care instructions of specific fabrics to prevent causing any damage when you’re trying to clean.

Some fabric sofas may have removable covers that can be machine washed, while others require specific types of cleaning products. Generally, it is not recommended you ever use tap water to clean or even spot clean your fabric sofa, as tap water can contain minerals that could cause fading or leave behind rings.

It’s important to follow any recommended care instructions and ensure the use of safe cleaning products, as you don’t want to permanently damage the fabric of your sofa.

Cleaning codes

If you check the label on your sofa, you will find cleaning codes that will guide you on how to clean the fabric. Once you understand what cleaning codes mean, it can make cleaning your sofa much easier.

W – spot clean fabric with water-based or foam cleaner. Use distilled water, not tap water.

S – must be cleaned with solvents (dry clean only). Do not use water or water-based cleaners.

W/S – a combination of dry cleaning solvents and water-based (not tap water) cleaners can be used.

X – can only be cleaned by vacuuming or light brushing. Fabric is not cleanable with water-based or solvent cleaners.

Vacuum regularly

Something that is easy to do, but can make a big difference to the appearance and cleanliness of your fabric sofa, is to vacuum it regularly.

Before you use any cleaning products, start with vacuuming your sofa to lift off surface debris and make sure to vacuum under cushions. This can help you to see any stains or marks that remain and need to be tackled. Many vacuums come with a specific upholstery attachment suited to using on a sofa.

Regular vacuuming will help prevent dirt and debris from being pushed deeper into the fibres and becoming harder to remove. It’s also good to flip your sofa cushions regularly if possible, to distribute wear more evenly.

As well as vacuuming, you can also use a dry brush to loosen particles, and then vacuum again to ensure you pick up as much debris as possible. Using a dry brush on your sofa will bring dust, dirt and hair to the surface so it’s easier to vacuum up as much debris as possible.

Remove odours

No one wants to snuggle up on a smelly sofa, but as a piece of furniture that gets constantly sat and laid on, and especially if you have pets, it can be inevitable that after a while your sofa develops unpleasant odours.

If you’re wanting to freshen up your fabric sofa, baking soda can be an effective cleaning treatment for removing odours and loosening stains.

A household product that most people have on hand, you simply sprinkle a light coat of baking soda over the surface of your sofa (avoid using too much), and let it sit for around 30 minutes. Once you’ve let the baking soda sit, vacuum it away and your sofa should be smelling nice and fresh.

Remove stains

Some fabrics can be more prone to stains, and if you have a lighter-coloured sofa, they will also be much more visible, leaving your sofa looking less than beautiful.

You should spot-clean any spills straight away to prevent the stain from setting, as the longer, you leave it, the harder it can be to remove. Gently blot the area with an absorbent cloth to try to remove as much of the liquid as possible. And though it may be tempting, never rub at a stain.

If the stain remains, use cleaning products as recommended. Remember to check what cleaning products are safe to use on the material and it’s always best to spot test before using any cleaning product (even those recommended) on the whole sofa, just in case.

If you’re having trouble removing stains from your sofa or just don’t feel confident cleaning it yourself, you can always get professional cleaners to help bring your sofa back to its former glory.

Tackling a stain or dirty mark on your fabric sofa can seem challenging, but by following these best practices you’ll be able to enjoy a great-looking, long-lasting fabric sofa for many years.