If you’re sick of your sofa looking drab and dirty, you’ve come to the right place!
With the amount of time we spend on our sofas, it’s no wonder they collect dirt and stains so quickly.
Yes, we agree that learning how to clean sofa stains is boring, but trust us, this skill will help you immensely.
Using our nifty tips and tricks, you can get your sofa looking brand new all over again!
Type Of Stains
Stains occur not just because of a spill of wine or coffee. Even dirt and debris accumulating over a long period can cause deep-set stains affecting how your sofa looks.
What’s more, crumbs, grease from food, and pet hair make your sofa look like the last place you want to relax!
So to fix this issue in a jiffy, here’s how you can clean those sofa stains!
How To Clean Sofa Stains
Vacuum Your Sofa
Use either a handheld vacuum on its own or one with a brush attachment to get rid of any surface debris. Doing so will eliminate any loose crumbs, fur, dirt etc., from corners and other surface areas of your sofa.
Make sure to point the nozzle between cushions and armrests too!
Wipe Down Non-Fabric Areas
Once you’ve tackled surface debris on the upholstery, the wooden and metal parts are next up. This usually includes feet, armrests etc. Using a clean cloth and a mixture of warm water and dish soap, gently wipe down these areas.
Ensure wooden areas do not get too wet, as the longer it takes to dry, the higher the chance of mould growth.
How To Clean Stains On Different Sofa Fabrics
Fabric Sofas
1. First, sprinkle baking soda all over the sofa’s surface area and let it sit for 20 minutes to an hour. (This will help deodorise the area).
2. Next, vacuum the baking soda off your sofa.
3. Make a homemade cleaner to tackle stubborn sofa stains. In a spray bottle mix;
- 1 Tsp dishwashing liquid,
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar,
- 1 Cup of warm water,
- 1 Tsp baking soda
4. Spray a clean cloth with this solution, and gently rub any stains on the fabric away and allow the sofa to dry completely before using it again
Synthetic Sofas
Ensure you check the cleaning tag on your couch and test the solution on a small patch on your sofa (ideally, an area which is not visible).
- Usually, rubbing alcohol works well on microfiber sofas. Going section by section, spray the sofa with rubbing alcohol and scrub a light-coloured sponge (this helps avoid colour transference onto your couch). These stains should lift off your sofa quite easily.
- Since alcohol evaporates quickly, the drying time is quick. So, once it’s dry, use a scrub brush in a circular motion to fluff up the fabric.
For a more environment-friendly approach;
1. Combine:
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar,
- 1 cup of warm water and
- 1/2 Tbsp of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle.
2. Gently spray this solution over the stained area and gently scrub it with a soft, clean, dry cloth until the stain is gone.
Leather Sofas
Leather sofas are a more delicate matter. Different types of leather and leather finishes need different kinds of treatments. So before starting on any type of cleaning method, read the label on your couch for specific instructions. It is also important to patch-test any cleaning solution first before applying it to the entire sofa. If the leather is damaged in the process, there is very little you can do to repair your sofa.
- Begin by vacuuming the sofa thoroughly; if you can remove cushions, do so and vacuum both sides of each cushion.
- Wipe the whole sofa down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- Combine water and white vinegar in a small bucket to create your own eco-friendly leather cleaning solution.
- Dip a new, clean microfiber cloth into the solution and wipe the couch, rinsing the cloth regularly.
- Dry the sofa with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
- Be sure to use a leather conditioner on your sofa twice a year to keep the material soft and protected.
You can also try making another cleaning solution that works very well for stubborn stains;
1. Mix;
- 1/2 cup olive oil and
- 1/4 cup vinegar into a spray bottle.
2. Spray this cleaner on the sofa’s surface and wipe it down.
3. Then use a clean cloth dipped in water and wipe away any oil residue. Dry the sofa thoroughly.
Tips To Keep Your Couch Looking Great Between Cleanings
Use A Lint Roller
If your sofa is made from a fabric that easily attracts lint, hair, dirt or dust, use a lint roller to get rid of this gunk!
However, when it comes to large clumps of pet fur, you can use pieces of duct tape to remove the fur.
Leather Cleaning Solutions and Conditioners
If you have a leather couch, these tools are perfect for keeping your sofa clean and looking sharp. What’s more, regular use of these solutions also helps increase the lifespan of your sofa!
Steam Cleaning
If your sofa can be cleaned safely with a water-based cleaner, you can use the steam cleaning method to lift stains off your sofa.
Try this:
- Take your iron (on a steam setting) or a handheld steam iron and wave it back and forth across any problem spots on your sofa.
- First and most important is to ensure you read the manufacturer’s suggestions for cleaning. Couches always come with a cleaning tag, just like your favourite clothing items.
And, of course, if you can’t seem to rid yourself of some truly stubborn stains, or if you’ve had a get-together at home and you’re simply too tired to clean those pesky stains off your sofa yourself, you can give us a call!
At NexDo, our trained professionals come in and can clean your sofa and even your carpeting at home from top to bottom!
You won’t ever have to worry about damage to your sofas or lingering stains with us!
All you have to do is hop onto our app or log on to our website and book your fuss-free service at any time that’s convenient for you!
