We may earn gross from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Couches are designed as a well-situated spot to sit and slow down day in , daytime out . regrettably , this mean maintain a couch unobjectionable can feel like a near - impossible task . Whether your challenges admit little one who wedge crumbs everywhere they go , house members by chance slop drinking on the sofa , or a well - worn upholstery that ’s been in use for many long time , it ’s probably time to give your couch a good cleaning .
As withcleaning the rest of your furniture , the best way to clean a couch can variegate more or less base on its textile . No matter if yours has fabric , leather , or suede upholstery , interpret on to detect out how to clean your couch so it reckon its good and is ready for another relaxing evening .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchase made through these link .
Before You Begin
Beforecleaning upholsteryon a couch , it is all-important to consider its cloth and check for specific manufacturing business program line on cleaning . The below steps cover how to generally clean material , leather , and suede couches , but you should always defer to your lounge ’s producer when it comes to the type of dry cleaners and tools it can handle .
Step 1: Vacuum the upholstery.
When it comes to how to cryptic clean a sofa , the first step is vacuuming the upholstery . Vacuuming removes loose shit , crumbs , best-loved hair , and other rubble . When vacuuming , be sure to employ the right vacuum attachment , clean both side of the cushions ( if they ’re removable ) , and pass on crevices where skunk and debris can hide .
Vacuum every side of your sofa , even the back if it is up against the bulwark . Either ahandheld couch vacuumor an upright vacuum ’s upholstery tools will help with this step .
Step 2: Wipe down the couch legs.
After removing idle rubble with the vacuum , turn your attention to the non - fabric parts of the lounge , such as the feet . To clean these division , prepare a cleansing root with lovesome water and a few drops of meek liquid dish soap .
apply a microfiber fabric or cellulose sponge to pass over down these areas using the water and dish soap root . After cleaning the non - fabric control surface , dry them using a clean microfiber fabric .
Step 3: Remove stains with an appropriate cleaning solution.
Always quiz the stain remover solution on an inconspicuous spot — such as underneath the lounge or on the back of a shock absorber — before seek to remove dirt with it .
Fabric Couch
If you ’re looking for how to pick couch fabric with a W recording label , begin by combining a mixture of ½ loving cup ardent water , ½ cup distilled white acetum , and 1 teaspoonful of Castile soap or mild dish grievous bodily harm in a nebulizer bottle . Spray the stain with the resolution and use a sponge to blot it . Take guardianship not to rub the stain , as it could have it to circulate .
After blotting , dampen a microfiber towel with spare water and blot the arena again to remove the soapy rest . Rinse and repeat as necessary , then blot the spot dry with a clean microfiber textile .
Leather Couch
The steps forhow to strip a leather couchare similar to those for clean a fabric couch . However , take care to make trusted the leather does not become saturate with water .
Begin by combining equal parts distilled white acetum and water ( close to ½ cup of each ) in a small bucket . Then , douse the corner of a clean microfiber textile in the bucket and wring out the excess water . Use the cloth to softly pass over any varnished areas . Stop frequently to rinse the cloth and avoid spreading filth around . Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry out all of the areas that you scavenge .
Suede Couch
Because of its very fine fibers , cleaning a suede cloth couchcan be challenging . Whenever possible , it ’s best to act chop-chop when houseclean up mass and release as liquids bead up on the Earth’s surface of the tight weave before they plume in . Cornstarch can help immerse oily balance left on suede couch . After removing the brand residue from a suede couch , practice a suede brush to restore the fabric ’s finish .
Step 4: Allow the couch to dry completely.
After cleaning and removing stains from a sofa , it is essential to let it dry out full ( if applicable ) . If there is any excess water system or clean on the sofa , use a dry microfiber textile to fleece it up . Then , give the couch plenty of prison term to air dry . When cushions stay wet for too long , it can cause mildew to form .
If you survive in a humid clime , consider turn on the ceiling fan or pointing a storey sports fan directly at the sofa to help it dry more quickly .
Other Helpful Tools for Cleaning a Couch
There are extra tools that can help with couch cleanup . Investing in some of these ware can pelt along up the process of clean your sofa or give it a more thorough cleaning than may otherwise be potential .
Lint Roller
Lint rollers can be very useful when cleaning a fabric , microfiber , or dry - uncontaminating - only couch , especially in abode with canine or felid Quaker . Rolling a lint rolling wave tool back and onward over a lounge can serve peck up loose preferred hair and other pocket-size debris .
Our testimonial : Scotch - Brite Lint Roller Value Pack on Amazon for $ 26.85 . The five lint rollers in this face pack effectively remove lint , fuzz , hair , and best-loved pelt from a variety of fabrics .
Upholstery Cleaning Solution
An upholstery cleaning resolution or spray makes for a proficient couch cleanser with worthy fabric types . Spraying these solutions onto the open of the lounge works to pull filth to the aerofoil , earmark you to pass over it off using a microfiber cloth .
Our Recommendation : ForceField Professional Strength Fabric Cleaner on Amazon for $ 9.99 . This cleanup solution removes a variety of odor and stains — including shit and fluid — from framework upholstery .
Upholstery Cleaner
Anupholstery cleaner — which uses water , a cleanup solution , and sucking — to remove grunge and detritus , can also come in handy when cleaning a couch . Many of these machine include a sinewy scrubbing copse with suction to help oneself loosen and take away stains . If you do n’t want to buy a machine , you’re able to also look into upholstery cleaner rental option in your area .
Our Recommendation : Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaner on Amazon for $ 123.59 . This compact upholstery dry cleaner is lightweight , yet powerful enough to effectively root for stains and debris out of a couch ’s upholstery .
Upholstery Steam Cleaner
Anupholstery steam cleaneruses pressurise steam to remove filth and stains . Using a steam dry cleaner is also a upright option if you ’re see for how to disinfect a lounge , as the blistering steam works to pour down bacterium and germs . Only expend a steam cleanser when water - base cleaners are commend .
Our Recommendation : Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner on Amazon for $ 174.89With its 17 - patch add-on outfit , this steam cleaner can sanitize a cough with ease , as well as flooring , appliance , grout , lavatory , and more .
Leather Conditioner
An authoritative step of leather lounge cleaning is to apply aleather conditionerafter treat and removing smear . Cleaning with weewee can take some of the instinctive oils from the leather , leave it prostrate to drying out and cracking . A leather conditioner will serve restore the moisture of the leather , leaving it soft and lithesome .
Our good word : Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner on Amazon for $ 16.99This leather conditioner ’s wax - free formula will help keep leather couches moisturise and liberal of work up - up .
Final Thoughts
As one of the most comfy home to sit in a home , couch inevitably become marked-up or collect stained over clip . However , with the right tools and techniques , it ’s easy to remove debris and stains to keep a sofa uncontaminating . Before seek to clean your lounge , though , remember to check the label for the cleaning code to make indisputable you use an approved cleaning solution .
The price listed here are accurate as of October 10 , 2024 .
This Is the twelvemonth for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . check why we consider this redevelopment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: iStock Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: Amazon Photo:Amazon.com
Photo: Amazon Photo:Amazon.com
Photo: Amazon Photo:Amazon.com
Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon.com
Photo: iStock Photo: istockphoto.com
