cleaning tips

If you want to keep your furniture strong and looking beautiful, it’s important to clean it the right way. But what is the best way?

The best cleaning advice will depend on what type of piece it is and what material it is made of. Because of that, the process of how to clean furniture will differ depending on whether you’re talking about wooden furniture or fabric sofas.

Keep reading for cleaning tips to keep all of the furniture in your home clean.

How to Clean Couches and Sofas

The best way to clean a couch or sofa will depend on what material it is made of. Always start by checking the cleaning tag. The tag should have codes that can tell you what cleaning supplies you can use.

Common cleaning codes include:

  • W – Water is okay
  • S – Use a solvent-based cleaner
  • WS – Water or solvent-based cleaners are okay
  • X – Do not use water or solvent-based cleaners (only vacuum)

Always make sure to spot-check the cleaning product before using it on the entire couch.

If you need to get rid of a stain, you should wipe the couch with the cleaning solution indicated by the tag. Scrub the area with the stain and then let the couch dry.

Fabric

Start cleaning your fabric couch by brushing it with a stiff brush or a clean white hand towel. This helps loosen any debris.

Then, sprinkle baking soda on the entire couch and let it rest for 20 minutes. Use the brush attachment of your vacuum to vacuum up the baking soda.

You can make a simple fabric couch cleaner to spray onto the couch. The ingredients are:

  • 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 cup warm water

Mix all of these in a spray bottle. Then add 1 tsp. baking soda and quickly put the top on the bottle. Spray the solution onto a white cloth.

Use the cloth to dab or rub any stains. Or, for a deep clean, wipe the whole sofa with the cleaning solution. Let the fabric dry for a few hours.

Microfiber

Most often, rubbing alcohol is the cleaning solution of choice for microfiber couches. You can spray a small area with rubbing alcohol and then scrub with a light-colored sponge. This will help get rid of any stains. Work in small sections to make the job easier.

Once the couch is dry (which shouldn’t be long), brush the material in a circular motion. Use a dry scrub brush here to fluff the fabric.

If your cleaning tag allows for both water and solvent cleaners, you can repeat the above process with distilled water.

Leather

The best way to clean a leather couch will vary greatly because there are so many finishes and options available. The following directions are for protected leather, which is one of the most common types. If you have a different type of leather, make sure to check the cleaning label first.

First, vacuum the entire couch and wipe it down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Then, make a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar in water. Dip a microfiber cloth and wring it out. Then, wipe the couch down, while making sure to rinse regularly.

Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to dry the couch. Every six to 12 months, apply a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather soft.

How to Clean Wooden Furniture

Luckily, wooden furniture cleaning is relatively easy. Start by dusting the surface. Then, dip a soft cloth in a gentle solution or cleaner. Wring the cloth out and wipe down the surface.

Finally, use a clean dry cloth to dry the furniture piece.

Keep Your Furniture Spotless with These Cleaning Tips

By learning a few key cleaning tips, you can make keeping your furniture clean much easier. If you want to make it even easier, consider hiring professional cleaners.

Call Lemon Blossom Cleaning Services to get started today!