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How to Clean Your Sofa?

How to Clean Your Sofa?

How to Clean Your Sofa?

Keeping your sofa clean isn’t always a high priority within households. With children, pets and everyday food stains being common themes in homes, sofas can get left at the bottom of the to-do list. There are many ways to clean your fabric and leather sofas, depending on the sofas material and the products you have available. Before deciding on which type of sofa is perfect for you, find out which type of fabric you require. You’ll benefit in the long run when it comes to cleaning your sofa. No matter what fabric or material you decide on, there are plenty of ways to get your sofa looking clean and fresh with our list of cleaning tips and products.

 

Sofa Cleaning Codes

All sofa’s have sofa cleaning tags on them, which show the sofas cleaning codes. Each cleaning code has a key to how you can clean your sofa and what products you can and can't use. These tags can be found within your sofa’s cushions or underneath your sofa’s base.

What Are the Sofa Cleaning Codes?

 

Cleaning Code

How To Clean Your Fabric Sofa

W

Sofa can be cleaned using water

S

Do not use water to clean this sofa. A solvent-base cleaning solution is needed to clean the fabric sofa

WS

You can use water OR solvent-based cleaning solution for cleaning your sofa

X

Use a vacuum or brush ONLY to clean your sofa.

Water Cleaning Codes

Water & Baking Soda Fabric Sofa Cleaner

The most natural cleaning solution for sofas is water and baking soda. This type of cleaning can only be used on the sofas marked with the ‘W’ tag and the ‘WS’ tag. Even if some leather sofas look like they might be able to be cleaned using this method, check the tag as it may damage the material.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your sofa with water and baking soda -

1. Brush your sofa down to remove any dirt or debris

2. If you can, vacuum the sofa to remove any hair or smaller dirt

3. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with water

4. Gently pat the stain with a clean cloth and the water, baking soda mixture

5. Open your windows to dry the sofa quicker

Steam Cleaning Your Sofa

If you’re able to access a steam cleaner for your sofa, then this is the most precise way to clean your sofa. It’s recommended that you steam clean a section of your sofa first, as some are labelled with ‘W’ or ‘WS’ yet cannot withstand the heat of a steamer. Choose a small section of the sofa to test the steamer on, in a hidden place.

As always, making sure the sofa is vacuumed beforehand means that the steam cleaning process is more efficient. Plus, you won’t have to keep stopping to remove large bits of debris or dirt from your sofa throughout the steaming.

Here’s a quick guide on how to steam clean your sofa -

1. Remove all cushions from the sofa and steam clean one side of the sofa cushions

2. Let this side dry before cleaning the other side of the cushions to avoid any damp smells

3. Use an angled attachment on the steam cleaner to make sure all the sofa is cleaned and use fast strokes to prevent any water logging

4. Once both sides of the sofa cushions are cleaned, open all windows to create ventilation

Although steam cleaning is the most efficient method of cleaning a sofa, it can also be the most time-consuming and cost the most. Whilst steam cleaning your sofa is ideal for a ‘once a year’ job, it is also helpful to clean your sofa regularly using sofa cleaning products and protection methods.

Sofa Cleaning Products

Sofa stains are a part of life, especially on certain fabrics. Sofas with an ‘S’ sofa tag are eligible for using certain solvent cleaners without causing any damage. ‘WS’ tagged sofas can also be cleaned using solvent cleaners, alongside water and the baking soda method. However, it is recommended to use fabric sofa cleaners when cleaning certain fabric sofas as they are fit for purpose.

Our recommended list of the best cleaning products for sofa stains -

1. Vanish Oxi Action - This product can be used as a stain remover in your wash, if you sofa cushions are able to be cleaned using a washing machine. However, you can use Vanish as a presoak to then blot the stains away.

2. Wizz Oxi Powder - Similar to the Vanish Oxi action, the Wizz Oxi Powder helps remove stains in a wash or is used as a pre soak for cleaning stains off your fabric sofa.

3. Vanish Oxi Action Stain Remover Gel - Unlike our previous products, this Vanish product comes in a gel form. However, it can only be used for washing machine based cleaning. This limits the type of sofa fabric this can be used on, but if your sofa allows heat and water, then this is a quick and easy way to remove sofa stains.

Vacuum Cleaning Sofa

Cleaning your sofa using the vacuum only method is usually reserved for ‘X’ labelled sofas. ‘X’ labelled sofas can be cleaned using either a brush or a vacuum cleaner. No water or solvent cleaners can be used on these types of sofas.

Fab Finds Cleaning Tips

Shop our collection of household cleaning products, ranging from washing up to diffusers, to keep your home smelling fresh after you clean it. If you have any pets in your home, browse our range of pet cleaning products, from carpet cleaners to pet smell removal sprays.

 

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