Our sofas have to be able to withstand a lot of daily use and abuse, from kids using them as climbing frames, pets as beds, and many of us will have our dinner on our laps while we watch TV, leading to inevitable spills and crumbs. It can be a tough job to keep the sofa looking good.
While there are many different tips for cleaning up spills and stains on sofas, we wanted to have a look at some tips for cleaning the sofa as a whole.
How to clean a sofa
Unfortunately, there is no ‘one rule fits all’ cleaning solution for sofas, as it can depend on the material, and whether the covers are loose or fitted. First, you must check the manufactures recommendations for cleaning products to ensure you are using one that is safe to use, as well as the preferred cleaning methods.
Generally, sofa covers will state ‘dry clean only’, but some people swear by putting covers in the washing machine on a wool setting.
The key to keeping your sofa clean is regular maintenance. Brushing or vacuuming the sofa weekly will help keep it looking its best, and prevent dirt from accumulating and dulling the colour or wearing the fabric. It is also important to deal with spills immediately and dab them with a soft cloth or paper towel to soak them up rather than rubbing them in and pushing the spill deeper into the fabric.
Start by vacuuming and brushing your sofa. For leather sofas, wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth to remove dust, before using a specialist leather cleaner to clean and condition your sofa, which should be done twice a year.
For fabric sofas, check labels to determine the best method for cleaning them. W means you can use a water-based cleaner, while S or P means solvents are needed and they are dry clean only. SW or WS means either water or solvent-based methods are appropriate. However, X means it needs to be professionally cleaned.
If you’re looking for professional cleaning services in North West London, get in touch today.