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Most of your lazing, munching, and snuggling with pets takes place on the couch. Crumbs, stains, human and pet hair, and dust accumulate in one of your most-used pieces of furniture as a result of all that use. With these simple cleaning procedures, you’ll be able to give your couch the TLC it deserves.
Most upholstered furniture, like clothing, comes with care recommendations that are unique to the fabric type. Find out the best way to clean your couch by looking for the care tag, which is normally located on the underside of the couch. It should read as follows:
- W stands for wet cleaning only. This means you can use a water-based upholstery cleaner or warm soapy water and a rag to remove stains.
- S stands solvent cleaning only. These couches can be damaged by water based cleaners, so you’ll need to use a dry solvent cleaning solution to remove stains. Alternatively, pour rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it on the stained area.
- SW stands for solvent and wet cleaning. These versatile couches are fine to clean with wet or dry methods.
- X means professional dry cleaning or vacuum-only. You can vacuum these couches, but they’ll be damaged by both wet and dry solvent cleaners. If this couch becomes stained, you’ll need to call a professional.
- O stands for organic material. These couches are made from natural fibers that should only be washed in cold water.
How to spot-clean your couch
Accidents happen. Dealing with them right away will help you avoid long-term stains on your couch.
- Blot. If the stain is new and wet (red wine, soup, pet drool), blot it gently with a clean, slightly damp towel to prevent it from spreading. This preparation can also help with older stains. The stain should not be rubbed or scrubbed.
- Use stain remover. Use a stain treatment that is suitable with the material of your couch. Most cotton, synthetic, and wool sofas may be handled with the same stain remover you’d use on your clothes, however leather couches need to be cleaned using a leather cleaner. Dilute 14 cup dish soap with 1 cup warm water to produce your own cleanser for W or SW couches. Remove the bubbles with a clean towel dipped in the solution.
- Blot again. Gently blot away your stain remover with a second, clean towel—do not rub or scrub. To avoid making stains worse, always test the stain remover on an inconspicuous portion of the couch (such as the underside).
How to clean your entire couch in 4 easy steps
The complete cleaning process should take under an hour if you vacuum your couch on a regular basis, making it an easy addition to your seasonal deep cleaning regimen.
Tip: This task, like washing an area rug, is best done on a sunny day because air drying in the sun is necessary (see step 3).
Step 1: Brush.
Scrape any caked-on dirt off your couch with a sharp brush (hello, muddy paws and shoes!). The remainder can be done by your vacuum cleaner.
Step 2: Vacuum.
You should vacuum your couch on a regular basis, regardless of its material. (Once or twice a week is great.) To get into tight places, use your vacuum cleaner’s crevice tool, and for the couch’s surfaces, use the upholstery attachment or soft brush attachment. Remove the dust and crumbs from beneath each pillow by lifting it up. This is a perfect time to rotate your cushions if you aren’t doing a deep clean.
Step 3: Remove slipcovers.
You can unzip your slipcovers and throw them in the washing machine if you have machine-washable slipcovers. Read the care label and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. In general, wash the zipped-up coverings in cold water with a moderate detergent on the delicate cycle. Allow them to air dry.
Return the covers to the couch and cushions when they are almost totally dry for a better fit. On a sunny day, you may air out the cushions while you’re washing the slipcovers. You’ll only need to wash the slipcovers once a year if you vacuum and spot-clean your couch on a regular basis.
Step 4: Deodorize.
If you don’t have detachable slipcovers, baking soda is another option for removing odors from your couch. Although this approach will work on practically any fabric couch, it is usually a good idea to test it in a hidden location first. Wait 30 minutes after sprinkling baking soda all over the couch. The baking soda should then be vacuumed up completely.
Are you looking for a home design that will suit and accommodate your daily needs? At Afro House Plans, we have a large choice of house designs that will suit and accommodate your daily needs. From exterior to interior design, we’ve got you covered. You can view all of our floor plans and tell us which ones you’d like to have modified to your needs.