Whether you’ve got kids, pets, clumsy family members (or just bad luck), you’ve probably already sunk a good amount of time into sofa cleaning.
But if you haven’t tried the 7 amazing sofa cleaning tips on our list, you’re missing out on expediting the process – and doing a seriously thorough job.
Keep reading to check them out!
Sofa Cleaning Tip 1: Get Rid of Lingering Pet Odors With A Hepa Vacuum
With about 75 million American families owning dogs, and roughly 90 million owning cats, the chances that your furry friend has dirtied your sofa are pretty high.
If you’ve been able to get rid of the stain of pet urine, but can’t quite seem to conquer that pesky “wet dog” smell, try a HEPA vacuum. These high-intensity vacuums trap miniscule particles others will likely miss. In fact, they can get rid of over 99% of odor-causing micron particles.
After the vacuuming, look into soaking the spot with an odor removal formula specifically for pets. One thing to avoid in this sofa cleaning process? Steam cleaners, which can actually further trap odors into your sofa.
Sofa Cleaning Tip 2: Tackle Specific Stains
Not all spills leave scents – but equally bad can be the proof of an accident thanks to stains that just won’t seem to disappear. Check out our quick list of major stain remedies in this section of our sofa cleaning tips:
- Coffee, Red Wine, or Tea: Blot as soon as possible after the stain with cold water on a paper towel – and leave the water soaking for about half an hour. Put the coverlet in the laundry afterward.
- Ink: Pour pharmacy-grade alcohol or ethanol on the spot, then press with tissue paper until fading.
- Blood: Especially if you have boo-boo prone kids, this can be frustrating to get out of your white sofa. Try hydrogen peroxide – but never use hot water.
Sofa Cleaning Tip 3: Get Preventative
The best sofa cleaning tip we can offer? Make sure you’re caring for it regularly. But you don’t have to resort to sheer plastic slipcovers to keep your sofa nice and clean.
We recommend vacuuming it (making sure the vacuum is clean) at least once a week to get rid of minor dirt and stains that could easily get rubbed in and become tough to remove. Even run a lint roller over it to catch pesky dust!
Sofa Cleaning Tip 4: Two Words: Vinegar And Hydrogen Peroxide
This dymanic duo is a must-do for effective sofa cleaning – but FYI, this only works on light colored sofas (the hydrogen peroxide can mess with darker colors.)
Mix 4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a bottle that’s half water and half vinegar, shake it up, and spray directly onto the stain. Blot it until it’s dried – don’t leave it to dry on its own.
Sofa Cleaning Tip 5: How To Care For Leather Sofas
When it comes to sofa cleaning tips for leather furniture, you need to take a different approach. Luckily, sometimes it can be easier than upholstered options.
Start by simply taking a wet rag to your leather couch, and if stains and odors persist, try a leather cleaner (just make sure to test it on a patch of leather on the back of the couch).
Keep things mild when selecting a leather cleaner – otherwise, you risk drying out the natural oils, which can fade color and lead to cracking.
Sofa Cleaning Tip 6: Try Applying A Little Baking Soda
The average reupholstery job can cost close to $700. While that’s not necessarily an astronomical sum, it’s frustrating to have to pay it because you weren’t able to find the right sofa cleaning solution.
Plus, if you have to go with different fabric, you could be looking at a bigger re-decorating job than you anticipated.
If your sofa isn’t only stained but is also rapidly gathering dust, applying some baking soda can help. Sprinkle a little baking soda on your sofa (pretend like you’re decorating some sugar cookies) and let it sit for about an hour. Then, vacuum the baking soda off.
As an added bonus, in addition to getting rid of your dust build-up, the baking soda will also work to help eliminate odors that, if left unchecked, even your favorite scented candle can’t cover after a while.
Pro Sofa Cleaning Bonus Tip: You can also make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of tougher stains. Mix almost equal parts vinegar and baking soda (you won’t need a lot) and wait for the fizzing and foam to stop.
Apply a pretty heavy amount of the paste and let it sit on the stain for a minimum of 3-4 hours. For tougher stains, go ahead and let it soak overnight. If the stain is gone, you can just vacuum up the mixture. If not, just try the process one more time.
Sofa Cleaning Tip 7: Read The Labels!
A lot of sofa cleaning goes wrong when, during the cleaning process, you’re not fully familiar with the fabric you’re using. Remember – different rules apply to different fabrics. What works for one sofa may totally ruin another.
Check your tags, do a little online research, and don’t leave anything up to chance – especially when the solution is right underneath your couch cushions.
If you’re unsure about how to properly care for your sofa, it may be a safe bet to call in a professional to prevent making a bad stain or mess ten times worse. In the end, the money you spend on hiring the right services will still be cheaper than buying an entirely new one.
Tackle Any Mess – No Matter How Big Or Small
Thanks to these awesome sofa cleaning tips and tricks, you’ll never have to flip the cushion or rely on a well-placed accent pillow to cover a mess again.
If you’re looking for more advice on how to keep your home spotless – no matter the furniture or material – check out our blog or get in touch with us to learn more about our services.