How to clean a fabric sofa
Learn how to clean a fabric sofa at home, remove common stains, and keep your couch looking fresh with easy sofa cleaning tips and care advice.
So you’ve made the big purchase and bought a fabric sofa for your living room. Now it’s time to put life to the test with your new sofa; from watching TV while holding your favourite drink, to enjoying your favourite snacks in the comfort of your own home. Let's not forget if you have small kids or pets, your sofa is their stomping ground too!
Owning a sofa also means having a regular maintenance schedule for your sofa’s upkeep. The more you look after your sofa, the longer your sofa will last. From basic sofa care tips, removing stains , to making your sofa last longer, learn how to clean a fabric sofa with our expert guide.
Check the cleaning label first
This step is incredibly important. Most sofas will come with a label attached to your cushions telling you what can be used to clean the fabric.
Here’s how to decipher it:
- W: You can use water (or water-based products)
- S: Only water-free, solvent-based cleaners can be used
- SW or WS: You can go with either water or a solvent cleaner
- X: Only vacuuming or brushing, no water
Follow the cleaning methods specified as listed, because using the wrong cleaning method can damage the fabric or leave unwanted marks on the sofa.
Before properly starting, try spot testing cleaning products on a small, unseen area before applying them on the rest of the sofa.
Cleaning a fabric sofa at home
Basic sofa care tips
It’s important to vacuum your fabric sofa regularly - it’s the best, and simplest way to deal with crumbs, dust and spills. You can use a handheld vacuum cleaner, the hose, or the upholstery attachment on your full-size vacuum cleaner for this. With the right attachments, you can get into all the crevices
Vacuum all the surfaces of the cushions, and if possible, remove them and also vacuum the base of the sofa. If you have pets and really want to ensure you remove as much hair as possible, going over your sofa with a lint roller afterwards is a good idea.
When it comes to cleaning the sofa, here are a few basic things to take note of:
- Use a damp cloth to wipe the sofa instead of soaking the fabric
- Blot stains instead of scrubbing them, as they might leave a mark
- Make sure the sofa dries fully after cleaning
- Don’t use too much water as this can damage the sofa fabric (depending on the upholstery)
How to remove stains from a sofa
One minute you’re enjoying a cup of tea, next thing you know, you find yourself wiping up small spills on your sofa. Depending on what you’ve spilt, different stains have different approaches. Once you’ve established what can be used for your fabric sofa (check your sofa’s label), get your tools ready. If you can only use solvent-based cleaners, you will have to purchase one and follow the instructions indicated on the bottle.
Here are some general tools that will come in handy:
- Water
- Soft lint-free/microfibre cloths
- A bucket
Remember to always test this out on a discreet, unseen spot on your sofa first to check the fabric is safe to clean. Once that’s done, dampen a microfibre cloth with this cleaning solution and gently blot or scrub any stained areas on your sofa.
After that, moisten another microfibre cloth with water and use this to remove the soap, rinsing regularly. Finally, use a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture from the area while gently rubbing. While it may be tempting to scrub away at visible stains, it’s important to be gentle, or you risk damaging the fibres of your sofa.
Meanwhile, if the tag says X and you have a serious stain, hiring a professional to clean your sofa is the best option.
How to remove set-in stains
Having set-in stains on your sofa can be a pesky issue to deal with. Here are a few tips:
- Mix soap and water to create a soapy mixture
- Use a sponge to dip into the mixture
- Dab the stain with a sponge
- If there are any changes, continue blotting the stain with the sponge
- Wipe the area with a dry cloth to remove any residue
If there isn’t any change after trying to treat the set-in stains, it’s best to have a cleaning professional look at it.
Natural ways to freshen a fabric sofa
Even though they are breathable, fabric sofas tend to absorb odours, pet hair and any spills. To stop this from happening, introducing a natural fabric cleaner to freshen up the sofa will help keep any unpleasant odours at bay.
A good tip is to sprinkle baking soda on the sofa and let it dry for a short while. Once it’s dry, vacuum the sofa for a fresh appearance.
Here are a few other tips to take note of:
- Use a lint roller or brush for crumbs or pet hair
- Choose a sofa with washable covers
- Keep the sofa out of direct sunlight
- Keep the sofa away from radiators
How to keep your sofa cleaner for longer
Weekly sofa maintenance is essential to ensuring your fabric sofa lasts longer. Here are a few ways you can do this:
- Vacuuming the sofa
- Brushing the sofa upholstery and cushions for any crumbs or pet hair
- Plumping up the cushions to prevent losing their shape
- Deal with stains as soon as possible
These small, consistent habits will keep your sofa looking and feeling fresh longer.
Fabric sofa cleaning mistakes to avoid
A sofa is a long-term investment, and we want to make sure it’s life-proof. These common mistakes are what you should avoid:
- Not checking the cleaning label on the cushions before cleaning
- Not vacuuming your sofa consistently
- Leaving stains to set in
- Not spot testing before trying to clean a stain
- Over-treating a small stain
- Not using the right materials to clean the sofa
As mentioned above, having a regular cleaning schedule or seeking professional help for tougher stains are a few of the ways to make sure your sofa looks as good as new.
FAQs
Are fabric sofas hard to clean?
No, fabric sofas are fairly easy to clean. With regular maintenance, fabric sofas can look as good as new.
Check the label on your sofa before washing it. Depending on the label, you can decide how long you should wash your fabric sofa.
Yes, you should regularly vacuum your couch to prevent unwanted odours and pet hairs from sticking to the sofa.
Check the label on your fabric sofa. If it says W or WS use a water–based cleaner. However, for the other labels which say SW or X it’s best to send for dry cleaning or check with a cleaning professional.
We hope you enjoyed reading our guide on how to clean a fabric sofa. Looking for more guides like this? Check out our faux leather cleaning sofa tips for more inspiration.
