Fabric sofas are warmer to sit in than leather. They come in an array of colors and can be easily accessorized to compliment the current décor of any room. In short, they are potentially a much better investment than a leather sofa.
However, the biggest issue with a fabric sofa is that it shows the dirt up and is more difficult to clean than a leather sofa. After all, most spills on a leather sofa can be simply wiped away.
The good news is there are reputable couch cleaning businesses waiting to help your sofa look like new. While you can, and should, regularly clean the sofa yourself, getting the professionals to do a regular deep clean will help. With their equipment and knowledge, they can extend the lifespan of your sofa.
Of course, you still need to know how to clean a fabric sofa at home. Doing this yourself enhances the service the professionals provide.
Find The Instructions
Most sofas will have a label attached to them that details what cleaning products and techniques are permissible. It’s a very good idea to locate this label and read it.
There are two reasons for this, the first is that failing to follow the guidelines can ruin your sofa. The second is that if you don’t pay attention to the instructions you can invalidate any warranty.
The main points of interest will be whether the fabric is water-soluble, this dictates how wet you can make the sofa when washing it. You should note that most sofas have two sets of instructions, one for the cushions and one for the rest of the sofa. Make sure you read both and apply the information to the correct piece of the sofa.
A general guide to tag keys is:
- W – you can use water to clean the sofa
- S – no water, specialized products only
- X – the sofa can only be vacuumed
- WS – water or solvent cleaners are fine
Choose Your Product
Having established whether you can use water or not you can choose your product. This means purchasing a special solvent for your fabric sofa or a cleaner that can be added to the water.
Your product should be chosen based on reputation and experience. If you don’t have any experience with a specific product ask around or check social media.
Test First
Before cleaning your sofa test the product on a small area, where it won’t be noticed. You should do this every time, you never know when they will change the product.
Dab
It is never a good idea to scrub your sofa, this flattens and damages the fabric. Instead, you need to dab the fabric, carefully, following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer and the cleaning product.
Take your time and, providing you’ve followed the instructions, your sofa will look fantastic. It’s still a good idea to have a professional deep clean undertaken regularly, but regular cleaning of your sofa will help to maintain its look and comfort.