How to Clean the Sofa
The sofa at home always invites you to relax, but with daily use, stains also come with time. Some are more persistent than others and, depending on the nature of the material, are more difficult to remove. In most cases, however, you can simply lend a hand yourself to quickly get the furniture clean again. However, before you resort to chemical cleaners, we will show you which home remedies you can use to combat the stains without any problems. We go into the different sofa covers individually so that you know exactly how the individual stains on fabric, microfibre and leather can be removed.
CLEAN SOFA UPHOLSTERY – THE BEST HOME REMEDIES FOR STAINS
When it comes to dirt on the sofa, the simplest home remedies are often enough to quickly remove stains. You already have most of these helpers at home and we will show you which method you can use depending on the sofa cover. However, always treat stains as quickly as possible and always remember when cleaning: do not rub, just dab! Otherwise the stain will only get bigger and you will rub the stain deeper into the material.
GET FABRIC SOFAS CLEAN AGAIN
Of course, if you can remove the sofa covers, it’s a good idea to just throw them in the washing machine. Always pay attention to the care instructions on the label. However, if it is only a small stain, home remedies can usually help without much effort. Soda is a versatile and ecological home remedy that quickly removes stains on your couch. You can choose between a dry and a wet type of cleaning. Application is very simple: apply dry baking soda to the stain and leave it on overnight. The next morning you vacuum up the baking soda and the stain is gone. For wet cleaning, soak a sponge in warm water, put baking soda on it and then very gently rub the baking soda into the couch. After it dries, vacuum it again.
If a stubborn stain is very difficult to remove, mix 3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons water until it forms a paste. Then apply the effective paste to the stain. After this has dried, you can easily remove the remains and the stain is gone! The positive side effect of baking soda: It eliminates unpleasant odors and doesn’t give house dust mites a chance. If you don’t have baking soda on hand, use washing powder instead . The process is similar to cleaning with baking soda. You put the powder on a sponge soaked in lukewarm water and treat the stain with it. After that, you can wash out both the washing powder and the contamination with clean water.
Is there a small, stubborn stain on your sofa that requires precision? Then use baking soda . Due to its fine texture, it is ideal for small stains. To do this, put the powder on the stain, pour lukewarm water on the spot and when it dries, vacuum it off.
CLEAN MICROFIBER SOFAS PROPERLY
The microfibre sofa cover is generally considered to be easy to care for and resistant to dirt. If stains do occur, the following home remedies will help. The gall or curd soap has proven itself for stains on the microfibre couch. To do this, put the soap on a damp sponge and work on the stain. After a short exposure, remove the residues with distilled water and a cloth. Once the red wine has found its way onto the sofa, quickly fetch the shaving cream from the bathroom. Spray a little shaving cream on the stain and wait about 10 minutes. You can then brush out the foam residue with a soft brush. Use clear water and only brush in one direction. For greasy stains, use a window or glass cleaner . Spray the stains and rub the agent into the material with a medium-hard brush. After that, clean the spot with distilled water and if the stain still hasn’t disappeared after drying, repeat the process once or twice.
CLEANING LEATHER SOFAS
Leather sofas add a touch of elegance to any living room. Regular cleaning and care is required to ensure that the shine does not disappear. The leather is very sensitive, which is why you are usually best advised to use special leather care products and distilled water. Use a soft sponge to gently rub the cleaning agent into the couch. Despite the sensitivity of leather, we have a household tip for you here too. For grease stains, potato and corn flour have proven themselves proven as a home remedy. Before you put the flour on the stain, warm the spot. A hot water bottle or a microwave pillow can be used for this. Leave the flour to work overnight and the next day you can vacuum away the residue or use a brush. Caution : Because leather is such a delicate material, avoid using aggressive agents such as chemical detergents, stain removers or shoe polish.
CLEANING FAUX LEATHER SOFAS
As a hard-wearing and easy-care material, you will find imitation leather everywhere in everyday life. That doesn’t mean you should be careless with your faux leather sofa. Most dirt can be removed with a damp cloth and some washing -up liquid or gall soap . To do this, rub the product gently into the material in a circular motion. Too much pressure can damage the seams. Then go over the sofa again with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Apply mild detergent to the imitation leather in a similar way to soap to remove dirt and discolouration. Liquids and dirt are also easy to wipe off with baby wipes eliminated. Before cleaning, test these two home remedies on a small area to see how your sofa reacts to the remedy.
CLEAN THE COUCH WITH CHEMICAL CLEANING AGENTS
Some rely on chemical cleaning agents to quickly remove stains. However, most are put off by the pungent smell. On top of that, the chemical cleaning products from the drugstore often contain chlorine and phosphates, which means that they are not 100% biodegradable. In addition, you can damage the sofa with bleach and surfactants. Before relying on chemicals, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and try the home remedies.
EXPERT CLEANING – WITH THE WET CLEANER & STEAM CLEANER
The technology of steam and wet cleaners looks impressive at first glance, but exercise caution when using them. The high temperature of the steam cleaner can damage the material of the sofa, and due to the high humidity, there is a risk of the sofa getting soaked. That’s why the steam cleaner is more suitable for small, isolated stains. The wet cleaner sprays a cleaning solution onto the upholstery and sucks it straight out of the fabric. This removes deep-seated dirt and discolouration. That’s why you should only use the wet cleaner if you want to clean the entire sofa.
SO YOUR SOFA STAYS BEAUTIFUL FOR LONGER – THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS AT A GLANCE
- Respond quickly to stains
- Dab instead of rubbing.
- Gentle pressure when rubbing in home remedies
- Test cleaning agents on an inconspicuous area beforehand
- Read care instructions
- Regular grooming
- Chemical cleaners only in case of doubt
When caring for it, make sure to use the right home remedy depending on the material of the sofa and the upholstery. Follow our advice and stains and smudges will be a thing of the past with easily accessible home remedies in no time.
