How To Clean Fabric Sofa Naturally

 

TABLE OF CONTENT:

• HOW TO CLEAN THE SOFA AT HOME WITHOUT A VACUUM CLEANER?
• HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITH A COUCH CLEANER OR STEAMER?
• HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITH VINEGAR?
• HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITHOUT WATER/ HOW TO DRY CLEAN A SOFA AT HOME?
• HOW TO CLEAN A WHITE SOFA?
• FAQs

Coming home with drooping eyelids and finally lounging on your fabric sofa is kind of a daily ritual at home. But did you get some itchy feel or some bad odor interrupting your ME time while relaxing on the sofa?

If yes, it's time to clean your sofa. What is the best way to clean my fabric sofa naturally? Do I need a vacuum cleaner or a steamer? Can I use home remedies for cleaning fabric sofas?

Whether your sofa can handle water- and solvent-based cleaners or needs only dry cleaning, we have got different cleaning methods covered. You will also get these questions answered in this article. Now, let's get started.

HOW TO CLEAN THE SOFA AT HOME WITHOUT A VACUUM CLEANER?

There are multiple methods to clean a fabric sofa, but it becomes tricky if you don't have a vacuum cleaner at home. No worries. We have got you some powerful ways to clean the sofa at home without the vacuum cleaner.

METHOD 1: CREATE YOUR OWN FABRIC SOFA CLEANER SOLUTION

Take one cup of white vinegar, and mix it with one gallon of warm water. Now add a few drops of dish liquid and mix the ingredients until the bubbles show up.

The cleaning process:

Take a soft and clean cloth and dip it into the cleaning solution. Now use it to mop away the sofa completely. Leave the solution to rest for 20 to 30 minutes.

If there is a stubborn stain, place the sponge dampened with the cleaning solution directly on the stain for some time and rub the affected area gently.

You can repeat this process completely unless the stain disappears.

METHOD 2: CLEANING SOFA WITH NATURAL CLEANING AGENTS LIKE BAKING SODA

How to clean a sofa at home using baking soda?

In this method, you can use bicarbonate soda or baking soda to clean the fabric sofa.

First, sprinkle the soda on the sofa and make it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This chemical mixture will absorb all the dirt during this time. After this, take a broom and clean the sofa.

Tada! Cleaning your fabric sofa is possible without vacuum cleaning using the above-given methods.

Pro tip: You can also use baking soda to remove odors and brighten the fabric.

HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITH A COUCH CLEANER OR STEAMER?

First, ensure that the fabric sofa is safe to be cleaned using a steamer.

Remember, just because the fabric sofa is water-safe, it doesn't mean it is heat-safe. So, ensure to test a spot before moving ahead.

Before you start the process, vacuum the entire sofa so that dirt or dust doesn't get your way while using the steam cleaner.

The cleaning process:

Start to steam clean the entire fabric sofa. Ensure the environment around the sofa is aerated to prevent the sofa from developing moisture buildup and residue. Also, don't sit on the sofa while it's still wet.

Once you have steamed the upholstery and it has dried completely, vacuum the sofa again to ensure that no dirt is present on the sofa gets removed.

HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITH VINEGAR?

Here's another practical and natural way to clean your fabric sofa at home. Use white vinegar to not just do a general cleaning but also remove stubborn stains.

To make this white vinegar cleaning solution, take

• One cup of warm water
• One cup of white vinegar
• One teaspoon of dish soap(optional)
• Take this mixture in a spray bottle and mist the stained area.
• Next, take a small soft cloth and scrub the area gently until the stain lifts.
• Now, use a second cloth moistened with water to remove the soap foam.
• Lastly, leave it to dry.

Note: You must not soak the sofa with this solution or rub it vigorously. Otherwise, you risk spreading the stain.

If you were looking for how to clean a fabric sofa naturally, we hope you got the answer now. Try this budget-friendly method and tell us in the comments how it worked for your fabric sofa.

HOW TO CLEAN A FABRIC SOFA WITHOUT WATER/ HOW TO DRY CLEAN A SOFA AT HOME?

Not all sofas can be cleaned using water because if done so, the moisture seeps under the fabric damaging the cushions in the long run. This is why you must clean fabric without water.

But wait. How do you know if your sofa fabric can't be cleaned using water? Well, the US Federal Trade Commission has given standard tags to help recognize the safest way to clean upholstery.

CLEANING CODE FOR FABRIC SOFAS CHART

• Code S - Dry clean or use water-free solvent to remove fabric stains and soils.
• Code W - As the letter indicates, the fabric can be cleaned with water-based cleaning products.
• Code W-S - Can use water-based or solvent-based products.
• Code X - Only supports vacuuming or professional cleaning.

Follow the effective steps given below to get it done.

Step 1: Vacuum the fabric sofa

When the fabric is used on a regular basis, naturally, dust, dirt, and microbes get to accumulate on the surface. By using handheld vacuuming, you can remove surface dust.

First, start from the sofa top and move over to the upholstery. Then, gradually move it to the cushions, the sofa's back and sides attached to the frame.

Step 2: Enhance the air circulation and eliminate hazards

After the vacuuming is done, move the sofa to a different place where it gets better air circulation. So that all sources of fire will be extinguished or not in contact before you use dry cleaning solvent.

Step 3: Clean the sofa using a dry cleaning solvent

Before you clean the entire fabric sofa, use a dry cleaning solvent and test a small spot to know how the fabric reacts.

Dampen a microfiber cloth(white cloth is recommended) with the solvent and rub it onto a hidden area under the cushion. Allow the place to dry and wait for how it reacts. If you notice no color changes or dye transfer to the fabric, you can repeat the same for the entire sofa.

Step 4: Spot stains and clean it

Cleaning the spot stains is a tricky business. To clean stains and heavily soiled areas like armrests, dampen a clean cloth with the dry cleaning solvent and start with the outside edges so that the stain doesn't spread.

Though dry cleaning solvents are highly effective on oily stains, it removes only partial stains caused by a water-based stain.

Step 5: Dry the upholstery

The last in cleaning sofa fabric involves drying the upholstery. You can dry it using a fan but avoid a hairdryer or a heater.

HOW TO CLEAN A WHITE SOFA?

Repeat after us: We must not skimp on cleaning white fabric sofas at home. Because regular cleaning is a must as the fabric naturally builds up dust and dirt quickly, and the white material can easily show.

So, vacuum the white fabric sofas weekly, including the seat, cushions, arms, and frame.

Wipe down the entire sofa every couple of days based on the usage. And don't forget to schedule professional deep-cleaning to maintain your sofa even longer in good condition.

HOW TO HANDLE SPILLS AND STAINS?

Dealing with stains on a white fabric sofa is similar to dealing with other stains. The rule of thumb here is that the faster you handle the stain, the better it resolves. The longer a stain sits on the material, the harder it is to remove it.

If the stain is wet, use a paper towel and dry it with gentle pressure until it stops lifting from the fabric.

If the stain is dry, first vacuum the spill and then use dish soap and cool water solution with a clean white cloth and dab on the stain until it goes.

If it's a stubborn stain, use bleach.

Note: Always test a small part of the sofa's fabric and check if it's appropriate for your fabric. If you find it difficult or confusing, check with a professional and get suggestions or help.

TIPS TO FOLLOW WITH A WHITE COLOR SOFA

Use slipcovers on your white fabric sofa if you are about to host a party or do any messy thing that makes your sofa prone to spills and dirt.

If you don't like the idea of a slipcover, make your white sofa a no-food and drink zone in your home.

Avoid placing the white sofa near the window because it can cause the sofa to discolor over time. If you have no other way, consider pulling down the shades.

FAQs

1. How to disinfect a sofa?

Just like how you make your fabric sofa cleaner spray, you can also make your DIY disinfectant spray for fabric. Take a diluted essential oil with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Place the mixture in a spray bottle, lightly spray it on the sofa, and make it sit for a few minutes. Now run a vacuum over the sofa's surface.

2. What are some practical tips to keep Code S upholstery clean?

If your upholstery is a code S, you must only dry clean or use water-free solvent to remove fabric stains and soil/dust.

To maintain this type of upholstery clean, you can

• Vacuum the upholstery regularly.
• Protect the armrests with a slipcover.
• Add a fabric-protecting spray if the sofa is new or freshly cleaned.

3. How to clean a polyester sofa at home?

Keep the cleaning part simple for polyester material because if you use many ingredients or deeply penetrate the fabric, it can damage the sofa's look and feel.

The best way to clean this type is to use a lightly dampened sponge with a cleaning mixture and brush it slightly over the stained area.

As long as you don't squeeze or press the sponge hard on the sofa, the polyester won't get damaged.

4. How often to clean a fabric sofa without water?

If the fabric sofa contains spills and stains, it must be cleaned immediately. Otherwise, vacuuming the sofa once or twice a month is fine. Besides this, thoroughly cleaning the sofa twice a year is highly recommended to keep the fabric looking its best.