How to clean fabric upholstery of a sofa from dust and stains

Any sofa made of fabric upholstery can be cleaned with your own hands using various substances and solutions that the housewife can find. To use them, we first study the basic rules for cleaning such furniture, the features of the upholstery material and the rules for caring for it. So, how to clean a fabric sofa at home?

Sofa cleaning products

You can buy the product for sofas in the same store as the furniture. Upon purchase, you will be offered a range of cleaning compounds, stain removers and upholstery care products. These products can also be found in household chemical stores.

But you can avoid spending money on household chemicals and take care of your sofa using simple household products that can be found in every home. You will save money, and the result will be no worse than using store-bought formulations.

Ready-made chemicals

You can also clean the sofa with chemicals. While studying the sofa cleaning product, we familiarize ourselves with its description and rules of use. The description indicates what type of fabric it is intended for:

"Vanish " The line of this product includes shampoo, antibacterial agent and powder. For coatings that do not tolerate moisture, we use the latter (cleaning using the dry method);
"Marseille Soap" . Contains olive oil and baking soda. Used to clean small stains. Wet the soap, rub the stained area and after 20 minutes rinse with a damp cloth;
"Denkmit" - foam for cleaning carpet and sofa upholstery. We use it for velvet, tapestry and silk coverings;
"Sama " Effectively fights old stains, dirt and bacteria;
Bagi "Shtihonit" . We use it as a stain remover and as a complete cleaning agent;

Advice! Do not let the product dry, otherwise it will leave streaks that are difficult to wash off.

We also recommend that all housewives find out how to wash kitchen towels from old grease stains and odors.

"Pro Brite " An environmentally friendly product, suitable for people with allergies. It has a sprayer that is convenient for applying the product to local areas of the upholstery;
"Dufta" , "Simple Solution" , "Nature's Miracle" . These products effectively combat unpleasant odors and completely eliminate them.

How to clean a sofa

Whatever cleaning product you choose to clean your sofa upholstery, you need to understand how to do the job correctly. To ensure that the result does not disappoint you, follow these recommendations:

Choose a cleaning agent based on the type of upholstery. Remember that leather products cannot be cleaned with the same compounds as fabric ones.
For each type of material you will need different equipment. Sofas made of flock, leather or velor are cleaned with microfiber cloths, suede and nubuck sofas with special rubber brushes, and other types of upholstery should be cleaned with a foam sponge or a soft clothes brush.
Before starting work, take care of the surrounding surfaces. Cover the floor with newspapers and cover the furniture with plastic wrap or old sheets.
Vacuum the upholstery to remove small debris and layers of dust.
Before you start cleaning, test the product you choose on a small area. If no changes have occurred to the fabric, proceed to clean the entire surface.
Start cleaning the sofa from the back, then the armrests, and then start cleaning the seats and lower parts of the furniture.
Apply the product gradually, treating a small area for 30-40 seconds, then move on to the next one.

After completing the job, you can use the vacuum cleaner again to remove any remaining cleaning products and dry the cleaned surface.

Before you start cleaning a fabric upholstered sofa, you need to determine the type of material. If in one case a soap solution is used, then in another it is strictly forbidden to do this, for example, velvet, plush or velor fabric will fade and lose its original color. How to clean sofa upholstery made from different materials?

Household chemicals

Washing a light or white sofa is a rather difficult task, since any wrong tactics can lead to negative consequences. That is why the greatest guarantee of effective and safe cleaning is provided by manufacturers of household chemicals. In the assortment you can find a variety of products:

shampoos for specific materials;
sprays for cleaning chenille, tapestry, matting, silk, cotton and other fabrics;
gels for restoring the color and structure of upholstery;
active foam to remove surface stains and add freshness to a light-colored sofa.

Among active Internet users who happily share their impressions of using a particular tool, the most positive reviews were collected by:

“Vanish” - for carpets and upholstered furniture, as well as active foam and stain removers;
"Shtihonit" from - spray for removing stains and cleaning upholstery of upholstered furniture;
“Grass” - for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture;
"Arnest" for carpets and upholstered furniture "Shine";
for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture "Procarpet".

Important! Before applying the product to the main upholstery, be sure to test its effect on an inconspicuous area of the sofa.

It is advisable to choose any store-bought cleaning product for a light and white sofa based on the type of material and type of contamination.

Dry cleaning the sofa

When cleaning the sofa with your own hands, do not overuse the amount of water, otherwise the covering and “filling” will become damp, which will lead to the formation of fungus and the appearance of a rotten smell. If the furniture is not heavily soiled and the furniture is upholstered in fabric (this method cannot be used for leather and suede), it is enough to vacuum it. The work needs to be done as follows:

Prepare a concentrated saline solution and add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar.
Soak gauze in the resulting product.
Attach the cloth to the vacuum cleaner attachment and get to work.

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Cleaning is carried out until the gauze becomes dry. If the coating is not sufficiently cleaned, wet the cloth again in the vinegar-salt solution and repeat the treatment. In this way, you will not only rid the soft “corner” of dust, but also refresh the material.

How to clean a sofa from dust

Dust is the main enemy of housewives. It settles on all surfaces, eats into curtains, carpets and furniture. To remove dust from the sofa, you can take a vacuum cleaner or cleaning compounds, but you shouldn’t forget about “grandmother’s” methods - simple, cheap and effective.

Soak an old sheet in cold water, wring it out and cover the sofa. Then take a carpet beater and run it over the surface. You will get rid of dust, and the sheet will “delay” its spread to other furniture. Remember that this method is only suitable for sofas upholstered in fabric; such exposure can destroy leather and suede.

Cleaning the sofa with a steam cleaner or steam cleaner

Many housewives prefer to clean sofas using a steamer. The advantages of this method are obvious: this useful device helps eliminate bacteria, insects, and also removes stains from the surface. In addition, this way you can refresh the upholstery and return it to its original elasticity. If you have a vertical steamer in your home, you can safely start cleaning, following the following sequence of actions:

Remove debris and dust from the sofa using a vacuum cleaner.
Go over the surface with a steamer, giving each section an equal amount of time to process. It is not recommended to stay in one place for too long, as you may damage the upholstery.
Then open the windows in the room, the flow of fresh air will help the surface dry faster after steam treatment.

To ensure that the procedure does not take much time and you see the desired result, perform it in a timely manner, avoiding heavy contamination.

Features of cleaning furniture with different coatings

In addition to knowing how to wash sofa upholstery using cleaning products, you should definitely know the type of fabric.

Attention! Owners are especially interested in how to clean a suede sofa. This material requires a special approach. The fabric will not tolerate aggressive cleaning. Use liquids suitable for velor or wool.

Made from natural wool

Any natural material requires careful handling. Mistakes when cleaning sofa upholstery at home lead to damage to the delicate fibers.

Tools:

soft side of the sponge;
woven rag.

Suitable means:

mild water-based cleaning fluids;
vinegar essence solution;
ammonia (light solution);
cleaning products for wool products.

Not recommended:

alcohol liquids;
oil-based products;
highly chemical and aggressive agents;
washing powder.

Silk

Silk is a very delicate fabric and does not forgive mistakes. Recommended Tools:

soft non-staining sponge or brush;
napkins;
microfiber cloth.

For cleaning use:

alcohol;
vinegar (light solution);
soap and water solution;
water-based detergents;
special purchased products marked “for silk”.

Products prohibited for use:

solvents;
acetone agents;
washing powder;
oil-based products;
bleaches.

Expert opinion

Sofia Kovalevskaya

Experienced housewife.

Ask me a question

The material should be cleaned with gentle movements. First, test any product or tool on an inconspicuous area or on a fabric sampler that the manufacturer includes with the furniture.

Synthetic

Tools:

soft side of the sponge;
not a hard brush (a toothbrush will do);
microfiber cloth.

Cleaning products:

water-based liquids;
soap solution;
citric acid solution;
water-based products with the addition of table vinegar or ammonia.

Not recommended:

oil-based liquids;
gasoline solutions;
acetone;
washing powder.

Leather

Natural or artificial leather is a demanding material, despite its apparent wear resistance. Cleaning Tools:

paper napkin;
eraser;
microfiber cloth;
old toothbrush;
cotton fabric.

Suitable means:

water-based solution;
mixture with added soap;
a weak solution of ammonia or vinegar;
special products suitable for cleaning leather products.

Prohibited methods and means:

exposure to high temperatures;
bleach;
bleach;
washing powder;
concentrated alcohol.

Velor sofa

Velor is a popular type of upholstery, so owners should know how to clean a velor sofa at home.

Tools:

eraser;
soft brush;
a special rubber brush for suede (you can buy it at a shoe store).

How to clean a velor sofa:

ten percent alcohol solution;
vinegar solution (weak);
ammonia solution (weak);
soap-based liquids.

Products that should not be used:

acetone-based liquids;
any aggressive means;
bleach;
oily liquids.

Velor sofa

To clean a sofa with velor upholstery, use microfiber cloths and a vinegar solution (1 teaspoon per liter of water).

Pre-vacuum the coating and then wipe it with a cloth soaked in the cleaning solution. Do not press on the lint under any circumstances; act gently, applying the composition strictly in the direction of the lint.

If stubborn stains (blood, wine, ink, etc.) appear on the velor surface, it is better not to try to remove them yourself; you risk ruining the upholstery. Contact a special service, and professional workers will deal with the problem quickly and efficiently.

Laundry soap

You can clean the sofa with it like this:

Laundry soap

1 bar of soap grated on a grater.
The finished shavings are dissolved in 5 liters of well-warm water until foam forms.
Use a clean sponge to scoop up foam and apply it to greasy spots, lightly rubbing it in. Leave the product on the upholstery for 3-5 minutes.
All that remains is to rinse off the detergent composition with clean water, knock out the remaining moisture through a dry, clean cloth and dry the sofa.

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Faux suede sofa

Suede is a capricious material that does not tolerate rough impact and large amounts of moisture. To clean this upholstery, you will need a special brush with delicate bristles and a suede cleaner.

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Before starting work, use a vacuum cleaner to remove most of the dust from the surface, and then begin cleaning with the product, strictly following the instructions.

If there are greasy marks on the surface, a stationery eraser or a solution of water and alcohol prepared in a 1:1 ratio will help remove them. After cleaning, it is recommended to apply a special composition to the material that has dirt-repellent properties.

How to clean a flock sofa

When upholstering sofas, flock is often used - this fabric is practical and pleasant to the touch, and to remove stains it is not necessary to use expensive compounds; stains can be eliminated using improvised means.

How to clean a flock sofa? If you need to rid a soft “corner” of dust, using a vacuum cleaner will not have much effect. Use this method:

During the cleaning process, make sure that excess moisture does not get on the fabric, this is detrimental to the material. When contaminants are present on the surface, they can be removed without the use of expensive chemicals. If you are dealing with greasy stains, treat them with hot water, after dissolving alkaline soap or dish gel in the liquid.

Traces from felt-tip pens, pencils, pens or cosmetics are removed with an alcohol solution (10%). Soak a cotton pad in the mixture and wipe the stain, repeating these manipulations several times if necessary.

As a universal remedy, you can use lemon juice by dissolving 7-10 drops in 200 ml of water. Treat the stain with the mixture and leave for 10-15 minutes, and then remove it with a damp cloth.

Flock

Features of cleaning a light leather sofa

A light leather sofa requires delicate cleaning. Do not rub it, moisten it abundantly, or frequently use aggressive chemicals. Therefore, even if you have special skin products, do not rush to use them in case of any contamination. Chemical treatment can be carried out once every six months, and for regular maintenance a vacuum cleaner and some available tools are sufficient. For example, a mixture of milk and egg white is often used to remove dirt from a leather surface. Use a sponge dipped in this liquid to wipe all contaminated areas, then do not wash it off, but wipe the upholstery dry with a piece of flannel.

Another home remedy that continues to be popular is a warm soapy solution based on laundry soap. Its use guarantees the disappearance of all types of dirt, but it is important to remember the following rules:

Do not get the upholstery too wet.
After treating and drying the sofa, you need to restore the protective layer of the skin with a stearic sponge or castor oil.

How to clean a Vanish sofa

“Vanish” is popular among housewives as a means for cleaning rugs and upholstered furniture; it washes away dirt of various origins.

Vanish comes in liquid and powder form. They are the same in terms of efficiency and the final choice depends on personal preference. Use Vanish in the following way:

Remove dust from the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
Prepare the solution according to the instructions and whip up a rich foam.
Apply the product to the stains, wait until it is absorbed and repeat the procedure twice more.
Use a clothing or toothbrush to gently clean the stained areas.
Remove dirty foam with a vacuum cleaner and continue cleaning. This must be done until the foaming composition is completely removed from the surface.

Please note that using Vanish you can only clean relatively fresh stains. This product is practically powerless against old and stubborn stains; professional cleaning will be required.

How to clean a sofa with baking soda and vinegar

The easiest and cheapest method to clean a sofa yourself is to use a mixture of vinegar and soda. Prepare a solution in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and soda per liter of water. Add a teaspoon of dish gel to this mixture and thoroughly beat the foam.

Using a sponge, apply the product to the furniture and gently clean it with a clothes brush. The main thing is not to exceed the recommended dose of the foaming substance, otherwise it will be almost impossible to “wash” it out of the sofa later.

Another tip: use this method only on fabric upholstery, with the exception of velor, as this will ruin the material.

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Getting rid of odors and refreshing the color of the upholstery

This is a gentle method of cleaning upholstery from dust and odor, which will additionally restore its color. We use it to clean all types of fabric. Mix 1 liter of water, 1 tsp. vinegar and 2 tsp. salt. Wet the sponge with the mixture and squeeze it well. Wipe the surface with light movements in the direction of the pile. Rinse the sponge as soon as it becomes dirty.

How to clean a greasy sofa

During use, shiny spots appear on the sofa. Most often this happens in those areas where the upholstery comes into contact with human skin and the settling dust mixes with sweat and fat secretions, forming shiny “islands”.

If the sofa is upholstered in leather or dermantine, dish gel or a soap-soda solution will help solve the problem. Clean the sofa with one of the products and it will look as good as new again.

Cleaning fabric sofas is a little more difficult; here you need to take into account the type and texture of the material. How to remove stains and wash shiny “islands”? Let's look at how to tidy up different types of upholstery fabrics.

Velvet

This material is purified by “knocking out”. The work should be carried out in this order:

Vacuum the covering.
Prepare a vinegar-salt composition in the proportion of 2 tablespoons of each substance per liter of water.
Soak a large piece of gauze or cotton cloth in a homemade “cleaner” and cover the furniture with it.
Remove dust using a beater.
As the fabric becomes dirty, rinse it and continue working until the dust stops coming out.

Thanks to these simple manipulations, you will not only clean the sofa from dust, crumbs and animal hair, but also eliminate unpleasant odors.

Lint-free fabric upholstery

To clean fabric upholstery, you will need a warm soap solution and a piece of thick fabric (you can take a terry towel).

Vacuum the sofa and then apply the product to the surface, moving in one direction. If necessary, use a clothes brush, and after cleaning, remove any remaining product with a vacuum cleaner.

Materials with pile

For such fabrics it is better to use “Fairy” or “Vanish”. Dissolve the product in water, whip up foam and clean the surface using a foam sponge.

Do not let the furniture, especially light-colored ones, get wet, otherwise after drying it will be “decorated” with abundant stains.

Different approaches to stains of different origins

Stains of different origins require special cleaning

Juice

Removed with ammonia and vinegar in equal quantities. Apply directly to the stain and wipe with a damp cloth.

Tea and coffee

A piece of laundry soap can be used to deal with such contamination by rubbing the problem area. Wipe with a damp cloth, you can also use a soap solution.

Blood

Easily removed with an aqueous solution. After removal, the surface must be thoroughly dried.

Fat

To remove grease stains, it is better to treat problem areas with baking soda. After treatment, remove with a soft sponge.

Chewing gum

To remove it, you need to apply ice, remove the gum with a plastic spatula, and then treat it with an alcohol solution.

Urine from pets or children

The most difficult contamination, which, although not always noticeable, emits an unpleasant odor. Dealing with it is not always easy. First of all, after detection, it is necessary to moisten the contaminated area with an absorbent cloth so that the urine is absorbed. Next, the area must be dried and treated with a solution of vinegar or potassium permanganate.

Attention! You can also resort to organic compounds - a solution that contains lemon juice. After an hour, the area is washed with soapy water and clean water and dried.

How to remove various stains from sofa upholstery

If stains appear on the furniture as a result of cleaning, the reason is the abundance of moisture or the excess dosage of foaming agents. In this case, the process will have to be repeated, following the operating rules and not allowing the fabric to get too wet.

If there are stains on the surface of the sofa, to effectively remove them you need to find out what exactly stained it. How to remove stains from a sofa? Depending on the type of contamination, the cleaning agent is selected:

If you do not trust folk remedies, you can use a purchased composition selected according to the type of fabric with which the furniture is upholstered.

How to clean sofa armrests

Armrests are the part of upholstered furniture that gets dirty the fastest. Cleaning them is not as difficult as it might seem. Use one of these remedies:

strong solution of laundry soap;
"Vanish";
composition for cleaning car covers.

Before use, test the substance on a small area of the coating and only then proceed with the main cleaning.

By properly caring for your upholstered furniture, you will achieve a flawless upholstery look and eliminate the need to think about reupholstering your sofa.

Using a washing vacuum cleaner

The washing vacuum cleaner can be filled with water with the addition of a chemical product for caring for the upholstery.

It is important to set the minimum power of the equipment , which will help avoid damage to the material.

It is optimal to select a nozzle designed for caring for upholstered furniture. They do not allow moisture to penetrate into the sofa filler.

The fabric must be cleaned evenly, without skipping individual sections . After wet cleaning, upholstered furniture should dry.