Sofa Care: 7 Easy Tips

Depending on how we use the couch, it can take a lot, from dinner TV to watching a movie with your pet snuggled up to you. The couch can pick up body oils, cooking odours, dust mites and other allergens that lurk there and cause allergies and general respiratory irritation. Eating on the couch really is not ideal - leftover food, sticky fingerprints and spilled drinks can all come from a meal on the couch. Eat at the table instead. If you like to eat on your sofa, you need to keep it clean or at least cover it with a washable blanket.

Vacuum the sofa weekly and invest in a good upholstery cleaner or leather cleaner. When vacuuming, take off all the cushions and reach every part of the sofa. Remove cushion covers when you can and wash them as often as possible.
Always replenish your sofa cushions before bed - sofas can easily lose their shape, and a messy-looking sofa can ruin the effect of your whole room.

1. Brush the couch.

Prep the couch by brushing it with a clean white hand towel or a stiff brush. This will loosen anything that has dried onto the couch.

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2. Apply baking soda.

Sprinkle the entire couch with baking soda, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. (You can leave it there for up to an hour.) Using a brush attachment, vacuum the couch to remove the baking soda.

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3. Make an all-purpose couch cleaner.

While the baking soda sits on the couch, make this simple cleaner to tackle any remaining stains. Combine 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid, 1 Tbsp. white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water in a small spray bottle. Next, add 1 tsp. baking soda and quickly screw the top onto the spray bottle.

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4. Wipe down couch.

Spray a white cloth with the cleaning solution, and gently dab and rub any stains on the fabric. Alternatively, wipe down the entire couch with the solution for a good deep clean.

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5. Let the fabric dry.

Do not sit or place objects on the couch for a few hours, or until the couch has dried completely.

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6. Cleaning with water, vinegar and dish soap – Spot-cleaning

Grab yourself a bowl, half-full of warm water and mix in 3 tbsp of white vinegar and 1 tbsp of mild dish soap (the amount can vary). Dab in it with a clean cloth or a sponge and spot-treat stains one by one. Try not to soak the furniture. Work gently because you don’t want to rub the stain in the fabric. Wipe away with a clean cloth and inspect if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process. Let it air-dry. No need to use blow-driers or heaters, as they can do more damage than good.

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7. To preserve your sofa’s fresh and vibrant colours, choose a place for it out of the sun and away from any heat source.

Sun and heat can not only discolour your furniture but also damage it beyond repair.

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