Fabric sofas are a great décor option for both indoors and outdoors; the range of items not only looks great but also provides unparalleled cosiness. But when it comes to cleaning these sofas are known to give severe nightmares. In course of time spillage, dirt build-ups and several other issues are likely to come up to make your fabric sofas appear dirty and so it is important to know how to clean this range of sofas.
In the following sections of the post let us explore few tried and tested tips on cleaning fabric sofas to make your life easier. There are a few things that you must keep in mind while determining the best possible way of properly cleaning a fabric sofa and first of all you must look carefully before starting the cleaning operation. Now you must be wondering what is there to be looked carefully; well, you must….
Look carefully through the manufacturer’s instructions
Before start cleaning, trying to remove any stain from your sofa surface or trying to freshen up a couch you must always check the instructions for cleaning the item as provided by its manufacturer. If you fail to watch it, you may cause irreversible damages to your couch. On the other hand, you could void warranties.
A manufacturer’s tag actually answers a lots of questions related to cleaning
If there is no instruction set from the manufacturer of your sofa there is no reason to fret and if you look carefully you must be able to locate a tag somewhere on the cushion of the sofa that provides you with all the important clues related to cleaning. It even tells you whether the piece of item is meant to be soaked in water. According to an expert professional who deals with sofa cleaning near me in London over the years, one side of the tag may include the relevant information about cleaning the sofa cover while the other end may tell you how to properly wash the cushions. Follow the instructions carefully and do not goof up inviting a mess.
Reading a cleaning tag correctly and carefully can save a lot of hassles as well as grief
You are more likely to find one of the four codes on the cleaning tag of your sofa, namely ‘W’, ‘S’, ‘WS’, and ‘X’; do you know what these codes mean?
- W stands for you can use the material using water
- S means you cannot use water to clean the material and you have to make use of a specially formulated solvent based cleaner
- WS says you can use water as well as a solvent based cleaner to clean the substance according to your convenience and preference
- X means you only have to vacuum the item to clean
Never ever move away from the recommended cleaning methods mentioned by the manufacturer
As far as general cleaning is concerned warm water is more effective in bringing impressive results. If you use warm water to clean furniture that requires a solvent-based cleaner, you’re in for a horrible surprise. You may even ruin the furniture in the process. There is no point after all in damaging your furniture by ignoring the cleaning instructions mentioned on the tag. Always remember that a manufacturer knows best about cleaning and maintaining furniture.
Cleaning a fabric sofa that is stained
If your sofa has an ‘X’mark, you should know that: – Your only option for cleaning it is vacuuming. Use an attachment for the vacuum to do so. On the other hand pieces of furniture that are tagged ‘S’ obviously require only solvent based cleaners. The tag in these cases should also include directions of using those particular cleansing products. You must be similarly careful with furniture that are tagged with ‘W’ and ‘WS’ respectively.
According to professionals who provide the service of sofa cleaning in London Uk, the following items and ingredients are necessary to clean sofas and couches properly.
- A vacuum cleaner with a powerful suction and upholstery attachment
- A set of at least 3 microfiber cloth in light colours (so as not to bleed on your sofa)
- Distilled water (tap water usually contains minerals which may leave unsightly residues behind)
- A bucket
- Any liquid dish soap and
- Distilled white vinegar
Homemade cleansing solution to an inconspicuous area
- Start with vacuuming the piece of furniture; this ensures you are not rubbing in the dirt and the debris at the time of cleaning
- Mix 2 cups of distilled water in a bucket. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Stir the solution well.
- In the next move soak the microfiber cloth in the cleansing solution and gently blot the stained areas with it
- Make sure not to scrub or rub on stain as that can lead to damage to the fabric suggests a sofa cleaning in London
- Now soak another microfiber cloth in distilled water. Make sure there is no vinegar or liquid dishwashing soap mixed in the water this time. Blot the stained area with the damp cloth to get rid of any residual cleansing solution.
- Using the dry microfiber cloth now blot the treated area once more
- Make sure the treated area dries up completely before the sofa is used again
Cleaning a couch that smells
Baking soda is a common household item. It is also effective at getting rid of nasty odors from your couch. The result of applying baking soda appears fast; but the question is how do you use it? Sprinkle baking soda in a moderate amount on your couch. Cover the cushions, backrest, arms, and crevices with baking soda.
Now allow the kitchen item to settle on the couch for sometime say about 20 minutes. However if the nasty odour is quite strong then you must allow the baking soda to settle down for over an hour point out professionals who work in the renowned Vip Carpet Cleaning London over the years. Now vacuum the entire surface area of the couch thoroughly and hoe everything up. It is relevant to mention here that: Steam cleaning or blot cleaning is more appropriate, To get rid of stench from sofas.
