How to Clean a Couch: 6 Pro Tips to Consider So You Don’t Soil Your Sofa
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The process of buying a couch can be one of the most mentally taxing experiences. As for how to clean a couch? That’s the messier side of the process that no one ever wants to talk about…until now. All of the hard effort that went into finding the one—endless nights of scrolling, ongoing supply chain issues, rescheduling the delivery dates, the list goes on—can feel like a total waste once reality sets and you realize that your dream sofa isn’t quite as glamorous as it was when it came fresh out the box, and a deep cleaning is in order.
Whether you’ve got a serious spill on your hands or are just looking at months worth of upholstery muck from sloppy family members (we’re looking at you, pandemic pets), don’t worry. Here are six of the most important things to keep in mind while cleaning your couch.
Resist the urge to literally attack a stain
Even though it may feel natural to put in some elbow grease and scrub, doing so may just push that staining substance further into the fabric, all but sealing it into the couch. But even if you get the stain out, rubbing too hard may also damage the couch fabric’s texture, leaving a different kind of unappealing mark. “No matter what the material, the more you push it into the layers, the harder it is to lift it off,” says Mallory Micetich of Angi’s. “Patting, laying [a cloth] on it and letting it absorb naturally, those are all ways to help ensure that it’s not going to sink in and infect as many layers as possible.”
But dry it as fast as possible
“Your immediate goal, if you’re trying to do a quick fix for an immediate stain that just happened…think dry,” Mallory explains. “You want to get up as much of that substance as possible, whether that’s with a dry washcloth, a dry towel, or a dry paper towel.”
Consider whether to sanitize
Life happens on the couch, but not every memory should leave a lasting imprint. While many staining substances might not have a strong smell, others—like milk—can have a lingering odor long after you’ve handled any potential discoloration or markings. While not all bodily fluids leave a visible stain, it’s still critical from a health standpoint to eradicate them from high-touch areas. While there are different strategies and commercial products available for disinfecting furniture, one fairly easy, low-chemical way can be to simply use hot steam.
“I think steam cleaning is a great sanitizer,” Mallory says. “It’s hot and a sometimes more gentle method that works with a lot of types of couches.” Ideally, however, Mallory suggests purchasing couches where the cushion covers can be unzipped and immediately tossed in the washing machine for a disinfection cycle. Also, be careful using products like hydrogen peroxide, which can lift or discolor the fabric.
Know when to go pro (and who to pick)
Does the idea of handling the job yourself give you “Sunday scaries”–level anxiety? Worry no more: Hire a pro. Not sure how to suss out who to give your hard-earned money to fix your super-soft sofa? Here’s what to think about when calling up a pro to do the dirty work for you:
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