How to Take Care of Your Fabric Sofa: Proven Ways to Make It Last Longer
Being the center of attention in your living room, a fabric couch can offer comfort, style, and a spot for family and friends to get together. But it needs regular care and upkeep to keep looking its best. You can keep your cloth sofa in great shape for years to come if you take the right steps. Here are some useful tips and tricks that will help you keep your cloth sofa in good shape.
1. Vacuuming regularly
Vacuuming your cloth sofa regularly is one of the easiest and best ways to keep it in good shape. Over time, dust, dirt, and other particles can build up on the surface and inside the fibers, causing them to wear out. To gently get rid of these things, use the upholstery tool on your vacuum cleaner. For a clean and fresh couch, try to vacuum it at least once a week.
2. Clean up spills right away
When accidents do happen, it’s important to clean up spills on your fabric sofa right away. Things are more likely to get stained if they sit in water for a long time. For everyday spills, here’s what to do:
If you spill something on your fabric sofa, use a clean, soft cloth or paper towel to wipe it up. Don’t rub, because that can make the liquid get deeper into the fibers. After the area has soaked up most of the liquid, clean it gently with a damp cloth. You can use a mild cloth cleaner on stains that won’t come out.
Solid Spills: With care, use a spoon or dull knife to remove any solid objects from your fabric cushion. Use a wet cloth to wipe up any leftover residue.
3. Turn and fluff the cushions
It’s important to move and fluff your cushions often to keep them from wearing out unevenly and sagging. Switch the cushions around so that the wear is spread out properly and each one has a chance to get back to its original shape. To keep the cushions’ fullness and ease, fluff them up every so often. If your couch has covers that can be taken off the cushions, you might want to wash them according to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep them looking new.
4. Spray fabric with fabric protection
A fabric protection spray can help keep spills and stains from getting into your fabric sofa, making it easier to clean. Pick a spray that works with the type of fabric on your sofa and carefully follow the directions on how to use it. To keep the protection spray working, you should reapply it every few months or after cleaning.
5. Stay away from direct sunlight and heat sources
If your sofa is in full sunlight for a long time, the fabric may fade and become weak. To keep this from happening, move your cloth sofa away from windows or cover it with blinds and curtains to keep the sun out. Also, keep your fabric sofa away from radiators and fires and other heat sources. Too much heat can damage the fabric and make it fall apart.
6. Cleaning done by professionals
Even if you take care of your cloth sofa regularly, it will look better after being cleaned by a professional every 12 to 18 months. Professional cleaners know how to deep clean your cloth sofa, getting rid of deep-down dirt and bringing back its look. Make sure you pick a cleaning service with a good reputation that cleans furniture.
7. Stay away from harsh chemicals
If you want to clean your cloth sofa, don’t use harsh chemicals that could damage the fabric or change the color. Use mild cleaners made just for furniture, and test the cleaner on a small, hidden area first to make sure it won’t damage your fabric sofa. Natural cleaning products, like vinegar and water mixed together, can also be used to clean spots.
8. Taking care of your pet
It might be harder to keep your cloth sofa clean if you have pets, but it’s not impossible. To get rid of pet hair, use a lint brush or a pet hair remover tool. Use a couch cover or throw blanket to keep fur and scratches from getting into the fabric. If you regularly cut your pet’s nails, they won’t be able to damage the fabric of your sofa.
9. Take care of the sofa frame
Even though the cloth is important, don’t forget to take care of the frame of the sofa too. If you find any screws or parts that aren’t tight enough, tighten them up. Dust and polish the wooden legs or arms of your cloth sofa often to keep them looking their best.
10. Take care of smells
Smells can get stuck in the fabric of your couch over time. To stop this, sprinkle baking soda on the cloth couch and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, vacuum it up. This can help get rid of smells and make your cloth sofa smell nice again. To get rid of smells and germs in the cloth more deeply, you might want to use an upholstery steam cleaner.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your cloth sofa doesn’t have to be hard. You can make your cloth sofa look and feel like new for years to come with these useful tips and tricks. To make sure your cloth sofa lasts as long as possible, you should clean it often, treat it right, and pay attention to the little things. Putting in some time and work will pay off with a beautiful, comfortable fabric couch that lasts for years.
1. I’m so glad! I finally found a helpful article on how to care for fabric sofas. My new sofa is already showing signs of wear and tear, and I’ve been struggling to figure out what to do. Thanks to this article,
I really like the tip about using baking soda to deodorize fabric sofas. I have small children who love to play on the sofa, so cleaning and deodorizing is essential. Baking soda is safe, easy to find, and effective, so I’m going to try it on my sofa right away.
I’d like to share another little tip for cleaning stains on fabric sofas. This is to use white vinegar diluted with water. This method is especially effective for stains from food, coffee, or tea. However, be sure to test on an inconspicuous area of the sofa before applying it to the entire surface to avoid damaging the fabric.
Thank you for sharing detailed information on how to clean fabric sofas by type of fabric. I just bought a velvet sofa, now I know how to clean it properly to keep it looking new.
I completely agree with the idea of having fabric sofas professionally cleaned every 6 months. Sofas are a breeding ground for dust and bacteria, so regular cleaning will help ensure hygiene and health for your family.
I was very impressed with the tip about using a hair dryer to dry a fabric sofa after cleaning. This method is both quick and convenient, saving time and effort.
I would like to ask more about how to store fabric sofas when not in use for long periods of time. My family is planning a long trip, what should I keep in mind to keep the sofa from getting dusty and moldy?
Thank you for providing a list of reputable sofa cleaning services. I’m looking for a reliable sofa cleaning service to clean my sofa. Your sharing will be very helpful for me.
I really like the idea of using sofa covers to protect the sofa. This method both helps to hide the imperfections of an old sofa and makes it easier to clean the sofa.
I would like to share another little tip to protect your fabric sofa from the sun. This is to use curtains or window films. Sunlight can fade and reduce the durability of sofa upholstery.
I appreciate the illustrations and videos in the article. With the help of pictures and videos, I can better visualize how to perform the steps of cleaning and maintaining the sofa.
I really like the way the article is presented in a scientific, logical and easy-to-understand way. This makes it easy for me to absorb and remember important information.