If there’s one place where everything gets swallowed up and slips through a space-time portal, that place is the sofa—and when it’s time to clean, all the lost items resurface from the cushions and backrest. Among the most common: coins and toys. All of these objects, together with everyday use, contribute to dirtying our sofa.
Today we’ll look together at how to easily keep your fabric sofa clean and how to wash it when you have lively kids running around the house.
Removable-cover sofa vs non-removable-cover sofa
First, let’s distinguish two types of fabric sofas: removable-cover and non-removable-cover. You can easily guess that the first won’t cause too many problems, while the second will require a bit of patience.
Cleaning a removable-cover sofa
Modern sofas are often fully removable-cover, and this makes cleaning the fabrics and sanitising the sofa practical and easy. Thanks to zips, zip fasteners or Velcro, your sofa can be completely stripped, and the upholstery fabrics can be put directly into the washing machine for a practical, effective wash.
Removable-cover sofa - divani.store
Before putting the sofa fabric in the washing machine, we recommend vacuuming it to remove dust and mites. To do this, use a simple vacuum cleaner on a low setting to pick up pet hair, hair and crumbs. Then put the fabric in the washing machine on a delicate 30°C cycle or a bulky-items cycle, to ensure a strong spin that retains as little water as possible and makes drying easier. Once the fabric is dry, the sofa is ready to be put back on—fresh and clean!
Find out how to choose a sofa: a guide to sizes and types
Cleaning or spot-cleaning a non-removable-cover sofa
But what if the sofa isn’t removable-cover? Let’s say a slice of pizza falls on the wrong side, or a cup of coffee spills on the upholstery—how do you deal with it quickly?
Fixing a small mishap can be a challenge, but not if you have baking soda, Marseille soap and hot water on hand.
Cleaning a non-removable-cover sofa with baking soda. Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a litre of hot water (for a sanitising effect you can add half a glass of apple cider vinegar). Dip a sponge into the solution and wring it out well so you don’t soak the fabric too much, rub the stains and voilà! A surprising result.
Removable-cover sofa bed - divani.store
Cleaning a non-removable-cover sofa with Marseille soap. Another very effective method is to use Marseille soap directly on the stain. Moisten the soap and rub it on the stain, leave it to work for 10 minutes and rinse with a damp sponge. Remember to wring the sponge out well before using it so you don’t excessively wet the sofa.
A colourful sofa? Find out more.
How do you clean and wash a microfibre sofa?
Microfibre is a very hard-wearing fabric and easy to clean; in fact, it’s highly recommended as a sofa covering in homes with children or pets.
We can follow 3 simple steps to carry out a thorough cleaning of a microfibre sofa, which mirror the methods we’ve seen so far:
- Vacuum: vacuum the entire surface of the sofa, paying extra attention to the more hidden areas;
- Sanitise: use a sponge, lukewarm water and alcohol to sanitise the surface of the sofa;
- Use soap: as seen earlier, we can use soap for stains that are difficult to remove.
The fabrics of our sofas are completely waterproof, and this allows for effective, simple cleaning even in the case of tough stains or liquid spills. If you need more advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.
How to clean a velvet sofa? Find out here
How do you clean and wash a leather sofa?
A leather sofa is certainly a unique and elegant furnishing element, but at the same time it can be tricky to keep it looking like new. How can you best treat a leather sofa to keep it clean? Here are some simple tips to follow.
To maintain shine and prevent damage, it’s essential to clean your leather sofa regularly. One of the best methods is to use Marseille soap diluted in water and gently rub with a soft sponge. Rinse immediately and dry thoroughly.
If there are tougher stains, baking soda is a great ally. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, then remove any residue with a cloth. Alternatively, you can use vinegar. Leave it to work for a few minutes and wipe with a soft cloth.
Another effective method is cleaning with cleansing milk. Pour a small amount onto a microfibre cloth and wipe it over the sofa surface. To finish, use a damp cloth to remove all residue.
By following these tips, your leather sofa will always be spotless and ready to welcome you for moments of pure relaxation.
How to clean a fabric or cloth armchair
When it comes to caring for fabric or cloth armchairs, it’s essential to dust them regularly by vacuuming—this will help keep the armchair looking fresh and new. For a more thorough clean, follow these steps:
1. Vacuum the armchair using the vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment. Pay close attention to crevices and hard-to-reach areas.
2. Mix a solution of hot water and mild dishwashing liquid in a small bucket. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture, then wring out the excess liquid so it’s damp but not dripping.
3. Rub the fabric with gentle circular motions to work the cleaning solution into the material. If you come across stubborn stains, apply more pressure to loosen them before drying.
4. Continue this process until you’ve covered the entire surface of the armchair. Make sure you get into crevices and seams where dirt can build up.
5. After you’ve finished rubbing in the cleaning solution, dip a clean cloth in plain hot water and wipe down the entire chair to remove any residue of dirt or cleaning solution.
6. Let the armchair dry thoroughly before using it again.
By following these steps regularly, you’ll be able to keep your fabric armchair clean and looking new for years to come.
