Assuming your furniture did not come with special instructions (be sure to review any manuals and inseam labels first), the following are four different ways to clean upholstered furniture fabric. As you approach them, remember that gentle cleaning is key as to not damage the fabric.
1. Vacuum
One of the most obvious ways to clean upholstered furniture fabric that so many people forget to make part of the cleaning routine is vacuuming. For ease and efficiency, it's best to use a vacuum cleaner that has flexible attachments. I've sprinkled on a little baking soda before vacuuming as a gentle way to help freshen up the fabric. Make sure you get a good suction on the fabric to really pick up dirt. Vacuums that have a large flexible attachment like the one shown below are helpful for cleaning larger areas of the fabric.
2. Spot clean
As soon as you notice a stain, immediately apply about a dime size amount of gentle dish soap onto a warm wet cloth and dab the fabric. Rinse and repeat. A white vinegar warm water mixture also works well and is great for orders. If there's a wine stain, a baking soda warm water mixture will be your best bet.
3. Steam clean
If you have a handheld steamer like a PAX, we've found they make the job easy. As noted by Service Master Clean, steam cleaning upholstery helps remove dirt and stains that can make a couch or sofa look dull, dingy, and unattractive.
With regular steam cleaning, you may be able to extend the life of your couch or sofa by keeping it looking new longer. Steam cleaning is ideal because it "simply uses water to generate steam, no harsh chemicals are needed. However, some steam cleaning machines can be used with a cleaning solution developed specifically for use in a steamer. This may be an option to consider if you need to remove odors as well as dirt and stains," (Service Master Clean).
Work your sofa either from top to bottom or left to right and slowly and gently apply steam. With areas that have spots, you may need to hold the steamer on those areas longer; start with 15 seconds and work your way up.
4. Wipe down spots with baby wipes.
This is an idea we got from Real Simple Magazine which noted:
"Baby wipes are surprisingly effective for quick DIY upholstery cleaning. They offer a nice mixture of water and soap, use very little moisture, and are gentle. Keep a travel pack stashed in the living room for instant spot removal. Baby wipes are also ideal for spot-cleaning rugs. Act quick on coffee drips and the stain will be out before it even has time to set." How many people even already have baby wipes lying around? (No trip the store needed.)
If you tried all of these tips but are finding that your furniture is still not coming clean, you have either waited too long to remove spots and stains or need to hire a professional. Prior to hiring a professional, be sure to take photos of the spots first, review your furniture warrantee, check references, and ask about equipment.
