How to clean a fabric sofa. How to clean a fabric sofa from grime. How to clean a greasy sofa without streaks
Over time, furniture becomes dirty during use. This makes it significantly worse appearance. There are ways to restore fabric, leather and other surfaces to their former cleanliness. How to wash a sofa at home will be discussed further.
Types of pollution
Sooner or later, all owners face the question of how to wash a sofa at home. Even the most careful owners notice over time that abrasions appear on the upholstery surfaces, dark spots. When sitting on the sofa, a person leaves dust from clothes, sebum, etc. on the sofa. This leads to surface contamination over time.
The situation becomes more complicated if there are children or animals in the house. They can significantly speed up the need for cleaning. Moreover, the pollution in this case can be very diverse. After all, the sofa becomes a favorite resting place for all inhabitants of an apartment or house.
Many owners like to have a snack on the couch. In this case, crumbs, traces of accidentally spilled coffee, tea or fallen food can leave stains that are difficult to remove. In this case, the sooner measures are taken to eliminate contamination, the better the result will be. Old stains are much more difficult to remove.
Dust removal
Periodically, the sofa needs to be cleaned of dust. This should be done at least once a week. If the owners like to have a snack on the sofa in front of the TV, this procedure should be done even more often. It should also be taken into account that furniture easily absorbs soot, which is contained in the exhaust gases of cars (if there is a highway nearby), construction waste(if neighbors are doing renovations), technical particles (if there is a large production nearby), etc.
There are 2 ways to get rid of dust on furniture coverings. The first is to use a vacuum cleaner. The second is more labor-intensive. How to wash a sofa at home if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner? There is a whole technique. Dust needs to be knocked out of the upholstery. You will need to prepare a sheet. It is moistened in water and squeezed out. Then the sofa is covered with fabric. Next you need to prepare a regular plastic beater. Use it to slap the surface. The wet cloth will absorb the dust. If necessary, the procedure is performed twice. The sheet is rinsed between approaches.
Using a vacuum cleaner can clean your sofa faster. To do this, you need to use a crevice nozzle. If it is not there, you just need to use a hose to go through all the folds of the fabric. Use a regular nozzle to vacuum all flat surfaces.
Oily stains
You should pay attention to technology that allows you to understand how to wash a sofa at home from dirt and grease. There are simple but effective folk recipes. When using them, you need to move from the edges to the center of the dirt. Otherwise, streaks will remain, and the stain will simply spread across the surface of the fabric.
It is very important to remove greasy stains from the surface immediately after they occur. This guarantees high quality washing the surface. To remove the stain you will need a piece of white chalk. It needs to be crushed and sprinkled with crumbs on the stained area. You need to leave it for a few minutes. Chalk absorbs grease well. Then the crumbs are swept away with a brush. The procedure is repeated several times.
Instead of chalk, you can use talc. It can be for children or cosmetic. The cleaning technology is the same as in the case of chalk. Table salt also absorbs fat well. You need to sprinkle it liberally onto the stain. It is able to absorb not only fat, but also excess liquid. This universal method cleaning.
Blood stains
When considering how to wash at home, it is necessary to consider the procedure for getting rid of stubborn stains. These may be blood stains. If they have not yet had time to absorb and dry, you need to wet the fabric cold water and cover the stain with it. Under no circumstances should you use hot water, warm. This will cause the blood to clot. It will be extremely difficult to get rid of the stain.
When the fabric lies on the surface for a while, it is removed. The surface is blotted with a dry cloth. Then the procedure is repeated several more times.
If the blood has not been removed from the surface immediately, you need to add salt to the water. It is added to a glass of cold water in the amount of 2 teaspoons. The processing procedure will be the same. You need to alternately moisten and dry the fabric. Hydrogen peroxide can be used for cleaning. Use it to treat a dried stain and blot it with a dry cloth. Do not use ammonia for cleaning. It can ruin the upholstery.
Urine stains
Many young parents ask how to wash a sofa at home. It is not easy to clean furniture from child urine. These are persistent stains that require quick removal. Baby urine will leave an odor on the fabric only if it has time to absorb and dry. If the stain on the sofa was left by a four-legged pet, the situation becomes more complicated. Animal urine has a more pungent, concentrated odor. In this case, drastic measures will need to be taken.
If the stain has not yet been absorbed, it must first be blotted with dry wipes. Next you should prepare: Regular vinegar is mixed with warm water in a concentration of 1:3. The composition is applied to the surface and left for 3 hours. Next, you need to pour soda on it. The powder will absorb excess moisture. Then it is swept away with a brush.
The treated area of the upholstery should be wiped with hydrogen peroxide. Then the wet spot is sprinkled with soda again. When the stain dries, brush off the soda with a sponge or stiff brush. Then the sofa needs to be vacuumed. If the animal's urine has dried, only dry cleaning will help get rid of the smell.
Other types of pollution
There are other ways to clean a sofa at home. You can get rid of dirt without streaks. To do this, you need to take into account the type of upholstery and the substance that left the stain. If traces appear on the surface ballpoint pen, alcohol will help remove them. Use a cotton pad to treat the fabric. Do not rub the stain, otherwise streaks will remain. You need to frequently change cotton pads by moistening them with alcohol.
Complex stains include fruit or juice stains. In this case, cotton wool and alcohol are also used. Do not rub the stain. This will lead to divorces.
If tea or coffee was spilled on the sofa, you can use a simple soap solution. You need to leave a piece of soap in warm water. When it becomes limp, treat the stain with water. You can immediately lather up the stain. The solution is then quickly removed with a damp cloth. If you hesitate, stains will appear on the sofa. Quickly apply a soapy solution, followed by a plain damp cloth. Then the surface should be blotted with a dry cloth. The procedure is repeated if necessary.
General rules for sofa care
There are general recommendations how to wash a sofa at home. Experts say that furniture will not lose long time its attractive appearance if the owners use it correctly. If there are small children, animals in the house, or buyers simply like to have a snack while sitting on the sofa, you should not purchase models with velvet, plush upholstery.
Regardless of what type of upholstery was chosen when purchasing, it is important to cover the furniture. You can purchase special covers or bedspreads. They simply need to be machine washed during cleaning.
It is also necessary to carry out periodic preventive cleaning. The sofa is knocked out, animal hair, dust, hair, etc. are removed. You can complete the furniture care procedure wet cleaning. To do this, you need to prepare a damp cloth. It is passed over the surfaces of the sofa. In this case, it is necessary to avoid soaking the fabric with moisture. This is a superficial cleaning.
Leather sofa
There are special recommendations on how to wash leather sofa at home. This is a special material characterized by a porous structure. Small debris, dust, and crumbs get stuck in its folds. Large abrasive particles scratch the surface. Because of this, she quickly loses her original luster.
Caring for leather upholstery is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. It is enough to devote time to cleaning at a certain frequency. First you need to clean the surface from dust. Then the upholstery should be wiped with a damp cloth.
Then you need to take Vaseline or fatty cosmetic cream. The product is applied to a sponge and rubbed onto the surface of the furniture. After this treatment, you need to remove the excess using dry wipes. It is important to thoroughly remove oily shine. After treatment with dry wipes, the sofa should acquire a noble gloss. The surface becomes smooth.
Fabric upholstery
There are also certain recommendations on how to wash a sofa at home, the upholstery of which is made of fabric. These are reliable durable materials. However, if not processed correctly, they can also quickly lose their attractive appearance. Even dense fabrics do not tolerate moisture getting inside the fibers.
Liquid that has soaked the sofa can lead to the destruction of the internal filling. At the same time, an unpleasant smell of mold appears, and fungus begins to develop in the material. This leads to the establishment of an unhealthy atmosphere indoors. Therefore, you can’t get the sofa wet. If any substance is spilled, it must be removed from the surface immediately.
To avoid causing damage to the upholstery, you must first test the cleaning product you choose. It is applied to an inconspicuous area of fabric. If the material does not lose color, then the product is used to remove stains. Do not use wet cloths for cleaning. They should be slightly damp.
Purchased funds
When considering what you can use to wash your sofa at home, you should pay attention to store-bought formulations. Many housewives use products not intended for cleaning (for example, dishwashing detergents, stove detergents, even shower gels, etc.). This should under no circumstances be done. Cleaning is carried out only with special products for cleaning upholstery, for example, special lines “Vanish”, “Faberlic”, etc.
Proper cleaning of sofas is a science. Taking into account the advice of experts, you can preserve the beauty of the upholstery for a long time.
There are all sorts of cases in life when a sofa becomes dirty and, as a result, acquires an unattractive appearance. Even bedspreads and blankets do not always save the main upholstery. If your upholstered furniture has suffered an unpleasant fate - a stain or old dirt has formed on it, this article contains instructions on how to clean a sofa without involving professionals.
What types of pollution are there?
A sofa or other upholstered furniture can become dirty in different ways. Upholstery is especially at risk in homes with small children and pets. Pollution can be divided into two types:
- Stains from food, urea, blood, drinks, stationery, varnish, etc.
- Old, greasy marks formed by contact and constant use.
Depending on the type of pollution, there are different methods on their removal. In order to effectively remove the stain that has formed, it is necessary to take measures to clean the furniture as early as possible.
Why do you need to clean your sofa?
Most dry cleaners recommend cleaning sofas to prevent the appearance of harmful mites - saprophytes. Microorganisms do not allow a person to fully rest and sleep at night. You can prevent their reproduction and clean your sofa at home.
Other reasons positive aspects cleanings are:
- Attractive appearance of furniture;
- Prevention of respiratory diseases, including allergies due to dust;
- Purity.
Ways to clean a sofa
Dust can be removed using a vacuum cleaner or by knocking out the upholstery. In the second case, an old sheet and a dust blower are used.
The fabric is soaked in a soapy solution, wrung out and laid out around the entire perimeter of the furniture. Then the sofa is slammed. The dust that has accumulated in the upholstery does not enter the air, but remains on the sheet.
To clean with a vacuum cleaner, use a special attachment with a brush.
To get rid of stains you need to:
- Take 2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar and 1 liter of water or dissolve the shampoo in warm water.
- Lather the soap composition and apply it to the contaminated area. Leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove excess moisture with a clean rag.
Instead of a soap solution, you can use other cleaning products (Selena Carpet, Antipyatin, Vanish).
There are other ways to clean a sofa with your own hands. Grease stains are removed with salt. To do this, pour it onto the stained area and wait 5 minutes. Then soak with foam cleaner for 15 minutes and finally rinse and dry thoroughly.
Wine stains are removed in the same way, only ethyl alcohol is used instead of a cleaning agent.
Cleaning Tricks
To clean the sofa from traces of a ballpoint pen or varnish, you need to wipe the area with acetone.
Traces of juice can be easily removed with a solution of vinegar and ammonia.
If blood gets on the upholstery, under no circumstances should it be washed. hot water. This will only cause the stain to become more ingrained into the fabric, and it will be almost impossible to remove it. To remove such contamination it is necessary to use cold water. Rinse until the stain disappears. Old marks can be easily removed with vinegar.
To clean the sofa from dust and odors, you need to completely clean the upholstery. To do this, sprinkle baking soda along the entire perimeter of the furniture and leave for an hour. The product removes unpleasant odor. Dust is removed using a vacuum cleaner or wet cleaning.
Urine odor can be eliminated with citric acid. To do this, you need to dissolve it in a liter of water (10 g), soak the upholstery and leave for an hour. The area is then washed and dried.
Any odor can be eliminated by adding fabric softener to the cleaning solution.
Blow drying may leave streaks. It is best to leave furniture to dry naturally.
In addition to citric acid and vinegar, housewives add a few drops of iodine or hydrogen peroxide to the solutions.
Conclusion
Thus, cleaning at home allows practical housewives to save money and keep their home in unsurpassed condition in any conditions. Household cleaning can also help preserve the lifespan of your sofa for years to come.
A white sofa can fit into any interior; such furniture will always look advantageous and stylish, but only if it is impeccably clean, otherwise visual effect will be exactly the opposite. It is not always possible to maintain snow-white upholstery for a long time; light-colored fabrics require cleaning and care much more often. You can clean your sofa not only with the help of specialized companies; stains can also be removed at home, you just need to know how to do it correctly.
Highlights
First, you need to decide which category of product you want to use when cleaning. Specialized household chemicals will make it faster and easier to remove stains on light-colored fabric at home, however, such products are more expensive and can be hazardous to health if used incorrectly. Folk recipes safe and economical, but will require patience and skill from the hostess.
It is also necessary to consider whether it is possible to easily remove the upholstery from the sofa; some models allow you to do this with one movement of the hand, just unzip the zipper. In this case, the removable material can be dry cleaned or washed at home, following the instructions. Not every sofa upholstery can be washed in washing machine, because of this, the material can shrink or stretch, and replacement will be expensive.
Some experts do not recommend using a vacuum cleaner when cleaning upholstered furniture, since this may damage the structure of the filler. However, there is no other way to clean the sofa from dust, so you can use a vacuum cleaner, but carefully. It is best to use a special nozzle for upholstered furniture and, if possible, reduce the power of the device.
Light, and especially white fabrics require constant attention. The sooner you detect contamination, the higher the likelihood of removing it without much effort and expense. In addition, you should carry out preventative cleaning at least once a month to refresh the shade and keep the upholstery in good condition.
Regardless of which product you choose to clean your sofa at home - specialized or traditional, you should not try to mix several methods together. The desire to achieve a more effective effect can lead to damage to the color or structure of the upholstery, as a result of which you will have to order a new one. Also, you should not use many different products, if none of them helps, in this case it is better to take the material to dry cleaning.
Household chemicals
Today it is not difficult to find a suitable product to clean a sofa at home. In this case, you can use both specialized rubble chemicals for upholstered furniture and carpet products. For light materials You can find individual variants with special instructions on the label. There are several of the most popular products that allow you to quickly and effectively clean the white upholstery of a sofa:
- "Vanish" The principle of operation of this product is that it is whipped into foam and applied to the surface that needs to be cleaned. The foam absorbs dirt, and after drying it must be removed with a vacuum cleaner, and the upholstery will be clean again.
- Amway. This shampoo for upholstery fabric, just like Vanish, needs to be whipped into foam, but many housewives like this product better.
- "5+". This product was originally intended for cleaning carpets, but it also shows impressive results on upholstered furniture. Many note the effectiveness of this shampoo on white upholstery, since it contains bleach.
- "Nordland". This brand produces ready-made foam for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture. It does not disturb the structure and shade of the fabric and allows you to remove even old stains.
- "Dr. Beckmann." Stain removers of this brand can be used when single stains have formed on a white sofa. persistent stains, for example, from grass, coffee, wine, blood, etc.
- "Bagi Shtihonit." This product comes in the form of a concentrated spray that can easily be used to treat any area of the sofa.
- Dry cleaning powders. Loose detergents can even be used to clean delicate fabrics that are not resistant to household chemicals. The powder must be scattered over the contaminated surface and wait until it absorbs the dirt, then remove the residue with a vacuum cleaner.
Folk remedies
Using folk remedies, you can clean any stains from any surfaces at home, but you need to immediately know which method to use. If you make a mistake, you can achieve the opposite effect - dirt will become embedded in the upholstery, and it will be much more difficult to clean.
Dirt stains
The white upholstery of the sofa quickly absorbs any dirt, be it street dirt, household stains or results long-term operation. You need to get rid of such contaminants immediately, otherwise they will be increasingly absorbed into the material, and new stains will be added to them.
A regular soap solution will allow you to get rid of dirt. It can be prepared using any soap, powder or dishwashing detergent. You can also purchase a special Antipyatin soap, which will remove even old stubborn dirt. Use the resulting solution to treat the entire upholstery, then remove any remaining product with a damp cloth or sponge and dry the material. If there is heavy soiling, you can additionally leave the product on the upholstery for 15-20 minutes.
Do not use too much soap solution in one area, otherwise you will have to rinse the upholstery.
Urine stains
If there is a child, a bedridden patient or pets in the house, the problem of stains and the smell of urine on the sofa may arise constantly. For this case there is also effective way, which will allow you to return to white upholstery old look without harming its structure or shade.
First, you need to dry the stain well so that it does not spread; for this you can use napkins, newspapers or any other paper, or you can additionally use a hairdryer. After this, you need to soap the sponge with laundry or baby soap and generously treat the stain. Then you need to dilute 1-2 tablespoons of table vinegar or lemon juice in a liter of water and wash off the remaining soap with this solution. At the end of processing, you need to dry the material by placing a dry cloth on the stain and ironing it on top, if the fabric allows it.
Coffee and tea stains
Stains from spilled coffee or tea are especially noticeable on white upholstery, and since this trouble can happen quite often, you need to know how to clean the sofa at home in this case. To cope with this problem, you only need a piece of laundry soap.
First, moisten the affected area of the upholstery with plain water, then rub it laundry soap until a light foam forms. Then use a stiff brush to rub the contaminated area and leave the sofa in this condition for 10-15 minutes. After this, the remaining soap must be removed with a sponge soaked in water. You can add a couple of teaspoons of salt to it, then the cleaning will be more effective.
Wine stains
Red wine spilled on the white upholstery of a sofa can also cause a lot of trouble for the hostess, since such contamination is not easy to remove. You need to act with the help of folk remedies as soon as the stain has formed. Otherwise, it will dry out and can only be removed using dry cleaning or specialized products.
First you need to blot the stain with napkins or paper so that it spreads as little as possible. Then the stain that has not yet dried needs to be covered generously with a layer of table salt and leave for 10-15 minutes so that it draws out the moisture. After this, the salt is removed with a stiff brush, and the remaining stains are removed with a mild soap solution.
Grease stains
Fatty foods can also get on the white upholstery of the sofa, so you need to know in advance what you can use to clean the upholstered furniture in this case. As in most cases, you need to act immediately so that the stain does not set in, otherwise it will not be possible to remove it with home remedies. To remove excess fat, you need to sprinkle the stain with salt, soda or starch and leave it for 15 minutes. After that dry spot can be removed with soapy water and a soft sponge; it is best to use dishwashing detergent. For better effect It is recommended to leave the soap solution on the stain for another 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
There is not a single house where there would not be a sofa. Sofas are located not only in the rooms, but also in the kitchen and even in the hallway. If there is no cover or cover on the furniture, then over time the upholstery will become dirty and stains will appear. To clean your sofa at home, you can use specialized cleaning products or advice from experienced housewives.
Sofa cleaning products
You can buy the product for sofas in the same store as the furniture. Upon purchase, you will be offered a range of cleaning compounds, stain removers and upholstery care products. These products can also be found in household chemical stores.
But you don’t have to spend money on household chemicals and take care of the sofa using simple improvised means that can be found in every home. You will save money, and the result will be no worse than using store-bought formulations.
How to clean a sofa
Whatever cleaning product you choose to clean your sofa upholstery, you need to understand how to do the job correctly. To ensure that the result does not disappoint you, follow these recommendations:
- Choose a cleaning agent based on the type of upholstery. Remember that leather products cannot be cleaned with the same compounds as fabric ones.
- For each type of material you will need different equipment. Sofas made of flock, leather or velor are cleaned with microfiber cloths, suede and nubuck with special rubber brushes, and other types of upholstery should be cleaned with a foam sponge or a soft clothes brush.
- Before starting work, take care of the surrounding surfaces. Cover the floor with newspapers and cover the furniture with plastic wrap or old sheets.
- Vacuum the upholstery to remove small debris and layers of dust.
- Before you start cleaning, test the product you choose on small area. If no changes have occurred to the fabric, proceed to clean the entire surface.
- Start cleaning the sofa from the back, then the armrests, and then start cleaning the seats and lower parts of the furniture.
- Apply the product gradually, treating a small area for 30-40 seconds, then move on to the next one.
After completing the job, you can use the vacuum cleaner again to remove any remaining cleaning products and dry the cleaned surface.
Before you start cleaning a sofa with fabric upholstery, you need to determine the type of material. If in one case a soap solution is used, then in another it is strictly forbidden to do this, for example, velvet, plush or velor fabric will fade and lose its original color. How to clean sofa upholstery made from different materials?
Dry cleaning the sofa
When cleaning the sofa with your own hands, do not overuse the amount of water, otherwise the covering and “filling” will become damp, which will lead to the formation of fungus and the appearance of a rotten smell.
If the furniture is not heavily soiled and the furniture is upholstered in fabric (this method cannot be used for leather and suede), it is enough to vacuum it. The work needs to be done as follows:
- Prepare concentrated saline solution and add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar.
- Soak gauze in the resulting product.
- Attach the cloth to the vacuum cleaner attachment and get to work.
Cleaning is carried out until the gauze becomes dry. If the coating is not sufficiently cleaned, wet the cloth again in the vinegar-salt solution and repeat the treatment. In this way, you will not only rid the soft “corner” of dust, but also refresh the material.
How to clean a sofa from dust
Dust is the main enemy of housewives. It settles on all surfaces, eats into curtains, carpets and furniture. To remove dust from the sofa, you can take a vacuum cleaner or cleaning compounds, but you shouldn’t forget about “grandmother’s” methods - simple, cheap and effective.
Soak an old sheet in cold water, wring out and cover the sofa. Then take a carpet beater and run it over the surface. You will get rid of dust, and the sheet will “delay” its spread to other furniture.
Remember that this method is only suitable for sofas upholstered in fabric; such exposure can destroy leather and suede.
Cleaning the sofa with a steam cleaner or steam cleaner
Many housewives prefer to clean sofas using a steamer. The advantages of this method are obvious: it useful device helps eliminate bacteria, insects, and also removes stains from the surface. In addition, this way you can refresh the upholstery and return it to its original elasticity.
If you have a vertical steamer in your home, you can safely start cleaning, following the following sequence of actions:
- Remove debris and dust from the sofa using a vacuum cleaner.
- Go over the surface with a steamer, giving each section an equal amount of time to process. It is not recommended to stay in one place for too long, as you may damage the upholstery.
- Then open the windows in the room, the influx fresh air will help the surface dry faster after steam treatment.
To ensure that the procedure does not take much time and you see the desired result, perform it in a timely manner, avoiding heavy contamination.
Velor sofa
To clean a sofa with velor upholstery, use microfiber cloths and a vinegar solution (1 teaspoon per liter of water).
Pre-vacuum the coating and then wipe it with a cloth soaked in the cleaning solution. Do not press on the lint under any circumstances; act gently, applying the composition strictly in the direction of the lint.
If stubborn stains (blood, wine, ink, etc.) appear on the velor surface, it is better not to try to remove them yourself; you risk ruining the upholstery. Contact the special service and professional workers will deal with the problem quickly and effectively.
Faux suede sofa
Suede is a capricious material that does not tolerate rough impact and large amounts of moisture. To clean this upholstery, you will need a special brush with delicate bristles and a suede cleaner.
Before starting work, use a vacuum cleaner to remove most of dust from the surface, and then begin cleaning with the product, strictly following the instructions.
If there are greasy marks on the surface, a stationery eraser or a solution of water and alcohol prepared in a 1:1 ratio will help remove them. After cleaning, it is recommended to apply a special composition to the material that has dirt-repellent properties.
How to clean a flock sofa
When upholstering sofas, flock is often used - this fabric is practical and pleasant to the touch, and to remove stains it is not necessary to use expensive compounds; stains can be eliminated using improvised means.
How to clean a flock sofa? If you need to rid a soft “corner” of dust, using a vacuum cleaner will not have much effect. Use this method:
During the cleaning process, make sure that excess moisture does not get on the fabric, this is detrimental to the material.
When contaminants are present on the surface, they can be removed without the use of expensive chemicals. If you are dealing with greasy stains, treat them with hot water, after dissolving alkaline soap or dish gel in the liquid.
Traces from felt-tip pens, pencils, pens or cosmetics are removed with an alcohol solution (10%). Soak a cotton pad in the mixture and wipe the stain, repeating these manipulations several times if necessary.
As a universal remedy, you can use lemon juice by dissolving 7–10 drops in 200 ml of water. Treat the stain with the mixture and leave for 10-15 minutes, and then remove it with a damp cloth.
How to clean a Vanish sofa
“Vanish” is popular among housewives as a means for cleaning rugs and upholstered furniture; it washes away dirt of various origins.
Vanish comes in liquid and powder form. They are equally effective and final choice depends on personal preference. Use Vanish in the following way:
- Remove dust from the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
- Prepare the solution according to the instructions and whip up a rich foam.
- Apply the product to the stains, wait until it is absorbed and repeat the procedure twice more.
- Use a clothing or toothbrush to gently clean the stained areas.
- Remove dirty foam with a vacuum cleaner and continue cleaning. This must be done until the foaming composition is completely removed from the surface.
Please note that using Vanish you can only clean relatively fresh stains. This product is practically powerless against old and stubborn stains; professional cleaning will be required.
How to clean a sofa with baking soda and vinegar
The simplest and cheap method Clean the sofa yourself - use a mixture of vinegar and soda.
Prepare a solution in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and soda per liter of water. Add a teaspoon of dish gel to this mixture and thoroughly beat the foam.
Using a sponge, apply the product to the furniture and gently clean it with a clothes brush. The main thing is not to exceed the recommended dose of the foaming substance, otherwise it will be almost impossible to “wash” it out of the sofa later.
Another tip: Use this method only for cleaning fabric upholstery, with the exception of velor, this will ruin the material.
How to clean a greasy sofa
During use, shiny spots appear on the sofa. Most often this happens in those areas where the upholstery comes into contact with human skin and the settling dust mixes with sweat and fat secretions, forming shiny “islands”.
If the sofa is upholstered in leather or dermantine, dish gel or a soap-soda solution will help solve the problem. Clean the sofa with one of the products and it will look as good as new again.
Cleaning fabric sofas is a little more difficult; here you need to take into account the type and texture of the material. How to remove stains and wash shiny “islands”? Let's look at how to tidy up different types of upholstery fabrics.
Velvet
This material is purified by “knocking out”. The work should be carried out in this order:
- Vacuum the covering.
- Prepare a vinegar-salt composition in the proportion of 2 tablespoons of each substance per liter of water.
- Soak in a homemade “cleaner” big piece gauze or cotton cloth and cover the furniture with it.
- Remove dust using a beater.
- As the fabric becomes dirty, rinse it and continue working until the dust stops coming out.
Thanks to these simple manipulations, you will not only clean the sofa from dust, crumbs and animal hair, but also eliminate unpleasant odors.
Lint-free fabric upholstery
To clean fabric upholstery, you will need a warm soap solution and a piece of thick fabric (you can take a terry towel).
Vacuum the sofa and then apply the product to the surface, moving in one direction. If necessary, use a clothes brush, and after cleaning, remove any remaining product with a vacuum cleaner.
Materials with pile
For such fabrics it is better to use “Fairy” or “Vanish”. Dissolve the product in water, whip up foam and clean the surface using a foam sponge.
Do not let the furniture, especially light-colored ones, get wet, otherwise after drying it will be “decorated” with abundant stains.
How to remove various stains from sofa upholstery
If stains appear on the furniture as a result of cleaning, the reason is the abundance of moisture or the excess dosage of foaming agents. In this case, the process will have to be repeated, following the operating rules and not allowing the fabric to get too wet.
If there are stains on the surface of the sofa, for them effective elimination it is necessary to find out what exactly it is stained with. How to remove stains from a sofa? Depending on the type of contamination, the cleaning agent is selected:
If you don't trust folk remedies, can use purchased composition, selected in accordance with the type of fabric with which the furniture is upholstered.
How to clean sofa armrests
Armrests are the part of upholstered furniture that gets dirty the fastest. Cleaning them is not as difficult as it might seem. Use one of these remedies:
- strong solution of laundry soap;
- "Vanish";
- composition for cleaning car covers.
Before use, test the substance on a small area of the coating and only then proceed with the main cleaning.
By properly caring for your upholstered furniture, you will achieve a flawless upholstery look and eliminate the need to think about reupholstering your sofa.
As practice shows, professional dry cleaning is not always necessary when a sofa is dirty. Most often, you can do it yourself and clean furniture from stains at home. To do this, you need to know some subtleties, for example, why the dirt appeared and what kind of upholstery the sofa has. The wrong approach will lead to the fact that the stain may not only not disappear, but also become larger, and it will no longer be possible to remove it. Of course, any upholstered furniture loses its original appearance over time, but there are some preventive measures, extending the service life and aesthetics of the product:
- choosing a sofa with easy-to-clean upholstery (this will ensure quick cleaning of the surface from dust and animal hair);
- the use of special bedspreads for upholstered furniture, which is used most often in the house;
- use of interior items for their intended purpose (for example, it is better not to eat food or drink brightly colored drinks while sitting on the sofa);
- monitoring the condition of products and timely care of upholstered furniture (it is necessary to vacuum, knock out dust and wash outer covers).
However, if dirt does appear on the sofa, then it is better to get rid of it as soon as possible, because this not only spoils its appearance, but also creates a favorable environment for reproduction various microorganisms. Let's take a closer look at how you can quickly clean a sofa at home.
Methods for cleaning upholstered furniture
The method for cleaning a sofa depends on how dirty the product is. For example, when dusty, it will be enough to moisten gauze or cloth in water, spread it over the entire surface of the sofa and lightly pat it. Thus, all dust accumulated during operation will be absorbed into the wet material. This method is suitable for cleaning sofas with velvet or velor surfaces.
For others materials will suit easier way. Gauze soaked in salt water is attached to the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner and the entire accessible surface is cleaned. After this technique, the colors of the upholstery become richer, and the upholstered furniture is noticeably updated.
What other methods of cleaning sofas are there? As a rule, they all boil down to finding the optimal remedy for different types dirt and stains.
Let's look at the most commonly used substances for cleaning furniture.
Sofa Cleaners
It must be taken into account that a separate product is intended for cleaning certain surfaces and materials. To clean a sofa from stains and dirt at home, the following compositions are most often used:
- warm soapy solution(used to clean the sofa from grease and minor dirt);
- special chemicals with strong foaming(the diluted substance is applied to the dirty area, left until completely dry, then carefully remove the dried foam with a vacuum cleaner);
- ammonia and vinegar(an effective remedy, however, this method may change the color of the material);
- alcohol solutions and acetone(used to remove stains of any nature);
- lemon juice and soda(discolor dirty stains on upholstery);
- petrolatum(used when cleaning leather coverings, wooden armrests);
- laundry soap(removes stains from wine and other brightly colored drinks well);
- shaving foam(cleanses upholstery well of ink and grease stains).
It is often necessary to mix the above agents to achieve maximum effect. For example, if you dilute soda and a little detergent in 1 liter of warm water, you get a fairly effective means for cleaning even difficult-to-remove contaminants. But even here, moderation is needed; under no circumstances should you wet the sofa too much, otherwise it will not dry out and over time an unpleasant odor will appear.
In any case, awareness of the possible ways sofa cleaning, which can be found on the upholstery label or on a sticker under the sofa. Usually the manufacturer indicates what impacts the material can withstand, and what it is better not to do so as not to spoil it. And, of course, you should carefully read the composition and instructions for the chemicals used when it becomes necessary to clean the sofa at home.
Furniture cleaning instructions
Before you can effectively clean a sofa at home, you need to perform several steps to prevent damage to the product:
- test the cleaning product on the part of the sofa hidden from view, if no changes have occurred, you can safely begin treating the contaminated surface;
- smooth out fuzzy upholstery in one direction using a soft brush; alcohol solutions cannot be used to clean such material:
- cleanse microfiber sofa can only be done dry, in extreme cases, in case of severe contamination, you can use solutions, but this threatens to change the appearance of the product:
- use as a reference material only white napkins, especially in the case of light-colored sofa upholstery, otherwise bright fabric treated with chemicals may leave unwanted stains:
- Do not use concentrated vinegar or strong bleaches on any materials.
So, what tools will you need to clean your sofa:
- sponges for washing dishes;
- napkins;
- brushes with different bristles;
- container for cleaning agent;
- vacuum cleaner with special nozzles for upholstered furniture;
- gloves if aggressive agents are used.
To remove light stains, napkins or a sponge will be enough, but for dried old stains, brushes with stiff bristles will be useful.
Now let’s look at the stages of cleaning furniture one by one:
- Wash pillows and removable covers from the sofa in advance on a delicate cycle;
- The area around the sofa must be covered with polyethylene so that nothing is contaminated during cleaning;
- a product that requires thorough care must first be cleaned of dust, crumbs, adhering wool and hair using a vacuum cleaner, carefully going through all corners and joints;
- carefully scrape off solid dirt with a knife or spatula (a disclaimer here: it is better to wet the fleecy upholstery a little before doing this);
- treat stained areas with a cleaning solution, starting from the backs and ending with the bottom of the sofa; as a rule, everything can be easily dealt with with a regular soap solution or special remedy(apply the product carefully, brushing one area for about 30 seconds);
- Leave the foam on the contaminated surface for about 15 minutes, then you need to completely rinse off its remains from the sofa upholstery;
- dried pieces of foam along with dirt can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
If the stain still remains, you can use a vinegar solution or a mixture of shampoo and ammonia(about 10 drops), diluted in warm water.
Cleaning a fabric sofa
Owners often wonder: how to clean a fabric sofa at home? It all depends on the upholstery material:
- tapestry (only the dry cleaning method is suitable; in extreme cases, you can use whipped foam);
- velor and flock (dirt can be removed with a special cloth soaked in soapy water; a sofa with such a coating can be cleaned in the direction of the pile; in addition, you can simply use a steam generator);
- velvet and plush (the danger of caring for upholstered furniture made from these materials is that they easily discolor and fade).
Cleaning a leather sofa
A distinctive feature of sofas with such a covering is that they are easy to care for. Dust and animal hair generally do not stick to the skin, and liquids are not absorbed into it. Most often, simply wiping the surface periodically is sufficient. wet wipe and treat it a little with Vaseline for shine. But sometimes some nuances arise when cleaning, depending on the type of leather from which the upholstery is made:
- leather and its substitutes (it is not recommended to wet the surface too much when caring for upholstered furniture, and you should also not use a steam generator; a special cleaner for cleaning leather or beaten egg white is best);
- nubuck (a brush with rubber bristles is best; such material can be gently steamed);
- suede (this coating collects dust and dirt; usually a special brush is used when cleaning, but if the stains are strong, you can use alcohol or a solution of table salt).
For smooth skin, you can also use a weak vinegar solution.
Cleaning upholstered furniture depending on the types of stains
As mentioned above, you can effectively clean a sofa only if you determine exactly what cleaning agent you need to use. To do this, in turn, you need to know how to wipe off stains of various origins. Let's look at methods to combat various pollution upholstered furniture:
- tea stains: laundry soap is suitable, you need to rub the damaged area with it, after wetting the upholstery with water, and then rinse well with a sponge;
- bloody stains: this type contaminants are difficult to deal with, however, if you try to clean them right away, there is a chance to remove them without a trace. To do this, rinse the area thoroughly with ice water, then rub with laundry soap and rinse again. What to do if blood got on the upholstery a long time ago? There is also a solution for this case: dilute 2 aspirin tablets in 250 ml of water and rinse off the contamination. A solution of table salt or vinegar (1 tablespoon of 9% acid per glass of water) also helps to remove dried blood.
- urine stain: if the stain is fresh, then first blot it with napkins, then treat it with a soap solution ( regular one will do shampoo diluted in warm water), rinse well and dry with a hairdryer;
- wine: as with any type of contamination, it is better to get rid of wine stains as soon as it is spilled on the sofa. First, you need to absorb all the moisture as quickly as possible to prevent it from spreading over the upholstery, then sprinkle the area with salt and leave for a while, rinse everything well with soapy water and dry.
- beer stains: contamination is removed in the same way as the previous methods - blot the moisture, dry with a hairdryer, treat with vinegar solution and rinse with water;
- greasy spots : the stain is quite difficult to remove, but it is quite possible to remove it. First, sprinkle the area with salt and leave for about 20 minutes, during which time prepare a cleaning solution (dilute dishwashing liquid to a thick foam), then thoroughly rinse the greasy stains until they completely disappear.
- ink: a fairly common type of contamination that can be easily removed with alcohol or any other solvent.
How to get rid of odors
To remove odors from food or drinks, you can use special shampoos for cleaning upholstered furniture. The product must be diluted according to the instructions and the upholstery must be washed. However, in some cases the smell cannot be gotten rid of so easily. In particular, urine and beer eat into the sofa very persistently. The smell from beer can be easily removed with a vinegar solution (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water). Unpleasant smell It is more difficult to remove urine; there are several folk remedies:
- tincture of iodine (20 drops per 1 liter of water);
- vinegar solution with lemon juice;
- potassium permanganate solution;
- vinegar 9% in water (1:3), then treat the area with soda and spray with hydrogen peroxide, leave it like that for a while, dry it with a hairdryer.
But you should understand that the smell of urine from upholstered furniture does not go away immediately; sometimes it is necessary to repeat the cleaning procedure several times for it to completely disappear.
Professional dry cleaning
No matter how hard the owners try to clean the sofa from dirt at home, this is not always possible to achieve. In the worst case scenario, furniture loses its aesthetic appearance. Therefore, if you have a question about how to effectively clean a sofa from stains without streaks, it is better to entrust this task to professionals. Dry cleaners use special chemicals, dry and wet methods cleaning. This not only returns the sofa to its original appearance, but also increases its service life.
