4 Basic Methods to Keep Your Sofa as New

The sofa, armchairs and the carpets accumulate a lot of dust and without proper maintenance, they start to look scruffy and worn out. Cleaning the sofa without professional help is a tricky task. However, the Keen Clean experts shared 4 things you can do to keep your sofa as new. But before you start, take in mind that different types of fabric require different methods, so check our detailed guide on how to deal with different types of upholstery.

Step 1: Deal with the Dust

As we mentioned above, the soft furnishings are among the biggest dust magnets in your home. You probably vacuum the sofa every now and then and occasionally sweep the food crumbs the moment they occur. However, there are microscopic crumbs and particle left after everyday use of the furniture they can get deep into the upholstery if you don’t deal with them on regular basis. Experts recommend vacuuming your sofa once every week. Use the upholstery attachment and run it carefully through the whole surface. Don’t miss the corners and crevices between the cushions, as well as the folds of the fabric.

Step 2. Refresh the Upholstery

If your sofa has removable covers you can clean them in the washing machine if the fabric allows it. Never wash the covers on high temperature and never put them in the dryer as this can change their shape. In general, washing the upholstery by yourself is not recommended because there is always a risk of damaging the fabric. However, if you want to refresh the couch a little you can try the following method. Prepare a solution of lukewarm water and a laundry detergent. Dip a clean sponge into the mixture, wring it very well so it remains slightly wet and carefully wipe the upholstery. Always check what kind of fabric you are dealing with. Never put more than a few drops of detergent into your solution because this can leave soapy residues on the fabric.

Step 3. Stain Removal

Cleaning the stains from the sofa is probably the most difficult thing when cleaning upholstery on your own. Spray the spot with lukewarm water to loosen the dirt. Don’t use too much water as this can spread the stain and make it worse. Apply a small amount of stain removal product on a clean damp sponge and carefully blot the area. Never scrub stains on your couch as this can push the dirt deeper into the upholstery. Rinse the sponge and dab the area until you lift up the dirt and the cleaning product. Repeat the procedure if there is any dirt left.

Check also: Efficient spot cleaning tips for removing sweat, grease, fruit and other stains

Step 4. Drying the Upholstery

If you want to prevent mould appearance and quick re-soiling of the furniture, you need to let the sofa dry well before sitting on it. To dry the upholstery after stain cleaning, dab the spot with a clean soft towel to lift the moisture. Leave the windows in the room opened if the weather allows it, to let your sofa dry faster. Another way to speed up the process is to turn on the air conditioner in the room at a medium temperature and let it run until the furniture is dry. Never dry the upholstery with hair dryers, heaters or other sources of direct heat as this can shrink the fabric.

Follow these steps to maintain your soft furniture in a good condition. Once every year call professional sofa cleaners. They use powerful equipment and specialised products to treat the couch, removing any dirt and dust settled in the fabric and the filling. The deep upholstery cleaning helps to prolong the lifespan of the furniture.