The sofa is the very symbol of cocooning and conviviality. It’s the most important piece of furniture in a living room.
However, intensive daily use can make it difficult to keep clean. This is especially true when you have children or pets at home.
The only way to keep your sofa looking its best is to clean it regularly and meticulously. The good news is that it’s possible to maintain a sofa properly with products you probably already have in your cupboard.
If the sofa is slipcovered, it’s true that maintenance is easier to achieve, but if this isn’t the case, then here’s a complete guide to successfully deep-cleaning your sofa.
How do I care for a fabric sofa?
The first thing to do to care for a fabric sofa is to vacuum it regularly using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. This provides a thorough dusting and removes as many hairs, hairs, dust, crumbs, dirt, etc. as possible. that may be deposited there. This dry-cleaning process prevents dirt from becoming embedded in the fiber during wet-cleaning.
To continue the cleaning process, it’s time to move on to more specific methods that will help to treat embedded stains and clean the fabric fiber.
Here are some tips for restoring the shine of fabric sofas.
Please note: before wet-cleaning a sofa, it is important to carry out a test to ensure that the fabric is not altered by contact with water and the products listed below. This can be done using a cotton swab on an inconspicuous part of the sofa.
Shaving foam
Yes, using shaving foam to clean a fabric sofa is an excellent tip. To put it into practice, simply apply foam directly to stubborn stains and leave for 1 hour.
Then rub the affected areas with a damp sponge and wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a product that can be used in a variety of ways for cleaning. So it’s perfectly possible to use it to clean a fabric sofa.
Before you start, however, you need to take care to protect yourself when handling ammonia, which is a relatively harmful product. Wearing gloves and a mask is highly recommended. In addition, sofa cleaning should be carried out in a well-ventilated room. Finally, no incandescent sources such as cigarettes should be in the vicinity.
To put this tip into practice, mix a few drops of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of washing-up liquid and lukewarm water in a container. This combo makes a powerful stain remover. Use a sponge moistened with the solution and apply directly to the stains on the sofa.
Spirit vinegar
Spirit vinegar is an excellent household product that can be used to clean fabric sofas. To do this, prepare a stain-removing solution by mixing :
- 1/2 liter household spirit vinegar
- 20 cl warm water
- 1 tablespoon washing-up liquid
Apply the product using a clean cloth dampened with the mixture. After rubbing in the stains, rinse with a cloth dampened with clean water. Finally, wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a highly effective dry-cleaning agent. In addition to sanitizing and stain removal, baking soda is also ideal for deodorizing textiles.
To use, simply sprinkle the product all over the sofa and leave for around 1 hour. Once this time has elapsed, simply vacuum up the bicarbonate with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
Not only will the sofa regain its original color, it will also be fresh and deodorized.
Sommières earth
Terre de Sommières can also be used for dry-cleaning fabric sofas. With this option, you’re guaranteed to find your sofa intact after cleaning, as the material is non-aggressive.
Terre de Sommières is used in the same way as bicarbonate, i.e. sprinkle it on, leave for a few hours, then vacuum up the remains.
Soda crystals
Soda crystals are widely used in cleaning for their formidable effectiveness against stains. To optimize their effectiveness, soda crystals can also be combined with white vinegar and washing-up liquid. The mixture should be diluted in lukewarm water.
To apply the solution, dampen a clean cloth and dab a small amount onto the surface of the sofa.
Rinse with a clean, damp glove.
Tips for cleaning specific stains
In everyday life, a little accident can happen very quickly. Here’s how to quickly remove stains such as :
- Chocolate stain: clean with warm glycerine or white vinegar.
- Beer stains: clean with rubbing alcohol diluted in water.
- Miscellaneous stains: clean with a cloth soaked in lemon juice.
- Old stains: scrape off, cover with blotting paper and iron before applying a stain-removing solution.
Cleaning a sofa: mistakes to avoid
To avoid damaging a fabric sofa, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes. Here are a few tips to follow when cleaning a sofa:
Never over-wet the sofa. Moisten without over-wetting, to avoid stretching the fabric. If the fabric is too wet, don’t hesitate to use a hair dryer to remedy the situation.
Forget to test a product on an inconspicuous area. Discoloration, shrinkage, pilling, etc. Unexpected reactions can be numerous.
What’s more, to avoid unsightly stains, it’s advisable to clean the sofa thoroughly.
