Sofa cleaning – What You Need To Know

Sofas and chairs are not only prone to surface stains, dirt and dust but the grime can also be deeply embedded in to the fibers. Even though the dirt is not visible, it is hidden deep in the fibers so for hygiene and cleanliness sake you should clean the upholstery regularly.
Cleaning upholstery does not have to be a difficult task, if your chairs and sofas have removable covers, cleaning them will be very simple. Just remove the covers and put them in a washing machine or send to the dry cleaner. However, if the covers are not removable, you will need to use special upholstery cleaning products and method to remove the stains and dirt. Here is a step by step guide on how to effectively and quickly clean upholstery.

The best Upholstery Cleaning Products to Use 
– You can get most of the sofa cleaning products in stores near you while some products you have in your home.
– Warm water and a mild laundry detergent; mix the two well to create suds.
– White vinegar; this helps to remove surface stains but you have to use soapy solution after using vinegar to make the area sparkles clean. You also have to air the sofa after cleaning by either placing it outside or simply opening the windows to help get rid of the vinegar smell.
– Baby wipes are perfect for spot cleaning. They are gentle and can be used on any material without damaging it. Also they are relatively dry, therefore, they will not over saturate the sofa.

How to Clean Upholstery in 4 Steps 
– Sofa cleaning is not a complicated process but you should try out different techniques to determine which one will work best for you. Here is a step by step guide on how to clean sofas.
– Before you begin using the cleaning products, vacuum up as much of the large particle from the sofa as possible. Ensure that you correct the attachments so that you do not damage the material; you can use a hose or a dust buster attachment.
– Vacuum all the surfaces of the sofa remove the cushions to vacuum the base of the sofa and use a long and narrow attachment to reach the crevices.

· Use a bristle brush
– If there is an area with dirt or dust caked in, use a bristle brush to break the spots then vacuum the released dirt. However, do not rub in hard as it can damage the fabric.

· Remove fur and lint
– Though most vacuum cleaners are made for homes with pets, some models are not able to remove pet fur and hair. You can use a lint roller to remove any pet hair that might have been left behind after vacuuming.
– Work on the entire sofa surface ensuring that you do not leave any pet hair.

· Spot clean
– Using vinegar poured on a fiber cloth or baby wipes, wipe the pronounced stains gently until it clears. However, before you use the product on the sofa, you should first test it on an unseen area.

· Overall clean
– Mix the water based detergent with water in a container and pour the solution in your vacuum cleaner. Attach the hose and the attachment you intend on using then apply the shampoo on the sofa. Now move across the entire surface of the sofa ensuring that there is even distribution of the shampoo without necessarily saturating the material.

· Remove excess detergent
– Release the button for applying shampoo and move the nozzle across the sofa surface sucking up the excess detergent.
– If you notice an spots that require extra vacuuming, spot clean them with the vacuum taking care not to over vacuum an area as it can lead to permanent discoloration.

Allow the sofa to dry
– You can use a hair dyer to quickly dry the sofa by allowing it to dry naturally is the best way. Just open the windows to allow breeze help with the drying process. Allowing the sofa to dry naturally is the best option but you can speed up the process by using a hair dryer

Leather Sofa Cleaning
– If you have leather upholstery, you will use a different cleaning method.
– Begin by buying a gentle leather cleaner that will not damage or discolour the leather.
– If not, you can make a cleaning solution of white vinegar by mixing equal amounts of white vinegar and water and a bowl.
– Apply the cleaning solution on a fabric and wipe over the entire surface of the sofa ensuring that you do not miss any spot.
– Using another cloth, wipe the leather to remove the cleaning product that you have applied.

· Condition the sofa overnight
– Make a solution of two parts flax or linseed oil and one part white vinegar and using a clean cloth, rub it on the sofa in a grid pattern. Allow the solution to stay overnight or for about 8 hours then rub it down with another cloth in the morning. This makes the sofa to look as good as new.

Daily sofa cleaning and maintenance tips
– Sofa maintenance and upkeep means that you do not clean it as frequently. Here is how you can prevent dust and dirt from building up.
– Clean any stains as soon as possible
– Fresh stains are easier to clean and it prevents deep cleaning once the stains get stuck.
– Vacuum the sofa at least once a week
– This prevents grime from being ground in after a long use and keeps dirt and dust at minimum.
– If your sofa has removable covers, ensure that you wash and replace them regularly

Tips when cleaning your sofa
· When cleaning your sofa and chairs not saturate the fabric, only use a small amount of a mild solution and always remember to test the solution on an unseen area.
– Baby wipes are ideal for wiping stains and spills without having to saturate the entire material.
– If you can, allow the sofa to dry naturally after cleaning it.
– Sofa cleaning does not have to a daunting task, if you follow the above guide and put in a little effort, you will certainly have bright and fresh smelling sofas.