A guide to cleaning your sofas

Your sofa is your source of comfort, it is the place you go to when you need to unwind after a long day. So, knowing how to clean and take proper care of your sofa is essential. Proper cleaning and maintenance can increase the lifespan of your sofa. Cleaning your sofas daily is a habit that will ensure your sofa remains in optimal condition and makes the process of deep cleaning your sofa easier. Depending on the type of material your sofa, is made from such as leather or fabric, the cleaning process may differ slightly. In addition to this, different materials require different care routines. These simple and easy steps will help you to keep your sofa looking and feeling as good as new.

Steps to take when cleaning a fabric sofa:

1. The first, most vital step, is to check the cleaning suggestions that are provided by the manufacturer. This is important because some materials are very delicate and using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your sofa can damage it. Some materials may only be suitable for dry cleaning. Additionally, some fabric sofas are sold or available with the option to masterguard them, which protects the sofa from stains.
2. The next step will be to brush off or vacuum your sofa, this will help to remove any dust and dirt that has settled onto the couch. Ensure that you vacuum in between the sofa seats and backrests and if you have loose sofa cushions then you should vacuum underneath them as well. When vacuuming your sofa be sure to equip the right tools, such as the upholstery tool, onto your vacuum, to avoid doing damage to your sofa.
3. When cleaning stains off of your fabric sofa it is essential to begin working on removing the stain immediately as it will be harder to remove a stain once it has dried up and settled into the fabric of your sofa.
4. Use a suitable fabric stain remover, preferably one that has been recommended by the manufacturer of the sofa. However, before you begin working on the whole sofa you should do a patch test – on a barely visible area of the sofa, to ensure that the cleaning product is not harmful to the fabric and does not cause its colour to fade.
5. Make sure to blot stains and not rub them away, as rubbing the stain can worsen it. Apply the fabric cleaner onto a cloth and blot the stain carefully, working from the outside in. Once the stain is removed, dab the area with another damp cloth to rinse thoroughly and blot dry.
6. An additional cleaning method would be to steam clean your sofa after you’ve completed these steps. Once you’ve steam cleaned the sofa leave it to air dry, steam cleaning your sofa can reduce the risk of and prevent dust mites.

While cleaning your leather sofa may sound like a difficult task it is much simpler than it seems.

How to clean your leather sofa:

1. Wipe down the leather sofa using a microfiber cloth to get rid of any build-up of dust, dirt or food crumbs.
2. Vacuum the leather sofa using the crevice tool of your vacuum. Go along its seams and around any buttons on it.
3. Vacuum the couch using the crevice tool to go along seams, around any buttons and along it.
4. Using a suitable leather cleaner or one that has been recommended by the manufacturer of the sofa, conduct a spot test on a barely visible spot of your leather sofa.
5. After you’ve done a spot test and if it is fine, work the leather cleaner into the leather sofa with a damp cloth, one small area at a time.
6. After you have used the cleaner on your leather sofa use a clean, soft damp cloth to wipe down and remove all the remaining cleaner from your sofa. If it is required you can repeat this step multiple times.
7. Once you have removed this cleaner you can begin to apply a suitable leather conditioner to your sofa to protect it and keep it moisturised.