How to Clean Upholstered Furniture: The Right Way
Ready to kick back and relax on the sofa or armchair? Absolutely! To make sure you feel completely comfortable while relaxing, you should clean your upholstered furniture. What is the fastest way to do it, and which appliances or home remedies save the most effort? Here are the best household tips.
Cleaning Upholstered Furniture with Steam Cleaners & Co: The Best Devices
Dirt, mites, pet hair, and more usually sit deep within the cushions of sofas, couches, or armchairs. To get rid of them, your best bet is to rely on powerful household appliances.
Cleaning your sofa with a steam cleaner
Steam cleaners are extra thorough. Thanks to the steam heating up to around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, germs and dust mites are reliably eliminated – making it ideal for allergy sufferers. The steam penetrates deep into the upholstery, removing stubborn, deep-seated dirt as well as unpleasant odors.
Use your steam cleaner with a matching fabric cover. This distributes the steam, prevents scratches, and catches dirt. After cleaning, you can simply toss the cover into the washing machine.
Important: Always check if your upholstered furniture is suitable for steam cleaning before you begin. Check the care instructions and test it on an inconspicuous spot first. Otherwise, fibers or color may bleed from the fabric.
Vacuuming your upholstery
You can easily remove dust, pet hair, or everyday dirt from your couch and armchairs with a vacuum cleaner or handheld vacuum. Doing this regularly will prevent many stains from forming in the first place.
If you want to remove older stains from your sofa, you should opt for a wet/dry vacuum or carpet cleaner. Shampoo the upholstery with cleaner and then vacuum up the residue with a wet/dry vacuum. A carpet cleaner even applies the solution and vacuums it up in a single step.
Cleaning Upholstered Furniture: Household Tips for Easy Cleanliness
You don't need to buy special upholstery cleaners. You can find plenty of great household remedies right in your pantry. Our favorites are:
- Baking Soda: Baking soda cleans, disinfects, and is tough on stains. Sprinkle it onto the upholstery and work it in with a damp cloth. Let it sit overnight and then vacuum it off. Baking powder works the exact same way.
- Shaving Cream: Shaving cream doesn't just ensure a smooth shave, it also keeps your seating clean. Apply a small amount of foam to the stain and gently spread it with a damp cloth. Let the foam sit for about 10 minutes, then brush the fabric with a soft brush. Always brush in one direction only. Never use shaving cream on leather furniture; shaving gel is generally unsuitable.
- Castile Soap: This classic grandma's household favorite is an ideal cleaning aid for leather couches or microfiber upholstered furniture. It is best to use distilled water so you can clean the upholstery without risking water rings.
Cleaning a Couch with a Pot Lid: Does This Life Hack Actually Work?
Cleaning your couch with a pot lid – sounds crazy? It’s actually not. This social media life hack is surprisingly reliable. Here is what you need:
- Bucket + laundry detergent
- Hot water
- Pot lid
- Microfiber cloth
- Gloves
Dissolve the detergent in the bucket of hot water. Use about half of a normal load's worth of detergent. Put on your gloves and dip the cloth into the solution. Wring it out and wrap it around the pot lid. Rub the lid over your couch or armchairs. Repeat the process afterward with clean water.
Cleaning Upholstered Furniture: What You Need to Know
Dirt gone, sofa ruined? Let's avoid that. To keep your upholstered furniture looking great for a long time, keep these important tips in mind:
Dry vs. Wet Cleaning
It is best to use wet cleaning methods for upholstery, such as wet or carpet vacuum cleaners, only for stubborn stains. To clean your upholstered furniture on a daily basis, a regular vacuum cleaner is completely sufficient. In addition, always follow the instructions in the care guide. You will find all information on safe cleaners and cleaning methods on the label.
Type of Stain
Want to clean greasy upholstery or spilled some wine on the couch? Each type of stain requires a specific cleaning method:
- Grease stains: Remove grease stains as quickly as possible using a damp cloth and dish soap.
- Red wine: Sprinkle table salt onto the stain and dab with a cloth moistened with distilled water. Then, clean the area with a solution of distilled, lukewarm water (approx. 86 °F) and mild detergent.
- Ink: Absorb fresh ink with a cotton swab. Then treat the stain with a mixture of distilled water and citric acid (1 tbsp of citric acid to 100 ml of distilled water). For stubborn stains, you can also use color remover if the care instructions allow it.
- Pet urine: Use a specialized cleaner that breaks down odors. The product must be sprayed onto the upholstery several times so it can penetrate deeply.
