We all love the precious moments we spend in our living room. Whether it is simple lounging, reading, or binge-watching, we all look forward to spending quality time with one of our favourite furniture pieces, the sofa.
But because we adore this spot so much, we tend to leave dirt such as food crumbs, spilled liquid, pet fur, oils, dust, and other stuff that we accidentally spill. Add the exposure of your sofa to the hot temperature here in Singapore. These things do not only make your sofa dirty and uncomfortable, but they also ruin its quality and shorten its lifespan.
Cleaning your sofa may seem daunting when you think about it for the first time, but there are numerous ways you can achieve it at home. Here are some simple steps to maintain the cleanliness, safety, and longevity of your lovely upholstered sofa.
Always Look for Cleaning Instructions
Before cleaning your sofa, read the manufacturer's instructions or check the tag attached to your unit. Always make sure to check whether a cleaning solution applies to your sofa's material before proceeding with the cleaning process. If you use solutions or chemicals not suitable for your material, you may worsen the damage or make it permanent. The manufacturer's warranties do not cover these instances.
Notice that there are letters attached to your sofa's tag? These are not random letters or decorations. These are codes that you can refer to when cleaning your sofa.
|
W |
water-based cleaner |
The sofa can be cleaned with water or water-based solutions |
|
W/S |
water-based cleaner/ solvent |
The sofa is safe when cleaned with water-based solutions and other solvents like a mild detergent |
|
S |
solvent |
The sofa should be cleaned using a solvent (detergent) |
|
X |
vacuum |
Use a vacuum to clean the sofa. When you see an X on your label, water and any liquid-based solution are not advisable. |
Know the Materials of Your Upholstered Sofa
The way you clean and maintain your sofa depends on its materials. Some materials can be wiped clean, and some require vacuuming or commercial cleaners. Do not worry. There are also natural, homemade remedies for your upholstered sofa.
Here are the basic materials that you can use to clean your sofa:
- Dry brush
- Vacuum cleaner
- Lint roller
- Towel
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
Here are some ways to clean your upholstered sofa based on the materials used:
Fabric sofa
Aside from checking the tag, when cleaning a fabric sofa, it is important to test your cleaning solution on a small, unnoticeable part of your sofa before applying it to more exposed areas. Vacuum your sofa and do spot cleaning regularly. For velvet sofas, a velvet brush is an effective tool to remove dirt without affecting their quality. Keep your sofa away from direct sunlight to preserve its colour.
Genuine Leather sofa
One of the things that we love about a leather sofa is that it is easy to clean. For liquid spills, you can simply wipe your sofa clean. For mild stains, you can use soap, detergent, and water. Remove ink stains with alcohol. You may also apply the methods to your leather office chair. Use towels to wipe your leather sofa instead of a brush because it is more prone to scratches. Invest in leather creams to keep your leather shiny and moisturised.
Faux leather sofa
Use mild soap or detergent that does not contain degreasing properties to remove stains from a faux leather sofa. This is to ensure that you still retain the right amount of moisture in your unit. Isopropyl alcohol can also help you remove stains from the faux leather material. Use vinyl moisturiser to maintain the quality of your sofa.
Generally, you can use baking soda to clean your sofa. This is effective for deep cleaning and removing odour. Sprinkle baking soda on your sofa and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, depending on the need. Vacuum the baking soda afterwards. Before doing the baking soda technique, make sure to conduct spot testing on an unnoticeable part of your sofa.
Tips to Maintain the Quality of Your Sofa
Clean your sofa regularly using a vacuum cleaner
Regular cleaning helps you prevent major stains from building up on your sofa. Use a handheld vacuum cleaner to remove food crumbs, dust, or pet hair from your sofa. Weekly vacuum cleaning can help you get rid of allergic particles and bacteria. It also makes it easier for you to determine the problem areas to focus on during deep cleaning. Make sure to also clean the surface under your sofa.
To ensure that your leather furniture is always clean, regularly wipe it with a microfibre cloth and use leather cream to prevent it from being dry and brittle.
Prevent your cushions from sagging
Admit it. You have a favourite side of your sofa. Although it is comfortable to sit in your preferred spot, sitting on the same side all the time contributes to the premature sagging of your furniture. If you have kids, your sofa becomes a mini-play spot where they jump. This is one of the reasons why you feel irregular bumps or voids on your cushions.
Practice regular squeezing and fluffing your cushions to maintain their normal shape. Softer cushions need to be fluffed longer than firmer upholstery sofas. This is because softer sofas tend to change their shape more often. Flip detachable double-sided cushions every two weeks to give them the same amount of pressure.
Keep your sofa away from direct sunlight
When designing your living room, you have to consider the placement of your sofa. As much as possible, do not place your sofa beside your window where it receives too much sunlight. When exposed to sunlight, you will notice the colour of your upholstered sofa fading within just six months. In addition, sunlight makes leather material dry and brittle.
Since we want the living room to receive as much natural light as possible, it is good to invest in blinds that can protect your furniture during the hottest time of the day.
Do not forget to clean your sofa’s wood or metal areas
Aside from your primary sofa material, it is also necessary to regularly examine other parts of your sofa, like the legs. This is important, especially for upholstered sofa beds and reclining arm chairs. Use oil-based products to clean and maintain the shine of your metal legs. For rusty legs, tin foil can help treat the affected area. Do not use a brush or abrasive products when cleaning your metal legs to prevent scratches. As for your wooden legs, waxing and polishing will help you keep them beautiful.
Remove stains right away
Never procrastinate when it comes to cleaning your sofa. When you spot spills or dirt, make sure to clean them as soon as possible. This is because some stains become permanent when left untreated.
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