Fabric Cleaner

Fabric sofas look great and can be {especially|particularly} cozy. They {can|may} also be a {major|significant} nightmare when it comes to cleaning. But {spills|clogs} are bound to {happen|occur} from time to time and, {unless you|if you don’t} {want|would like} to adorn your {couch|sofa} with those {beautiful|gorgeous} plastic covers, {you’re|you are} going to {need|have} to {know|understand} how to {clean|wash} a fabric sofa.

Reclaim your {couch’s|sofa’s} lounge-worthy status with the {help|support} of some handy how-tos.

Look Before You Clean

There are a {few|couple of} factors you {need|want} to {keep in mind|remember} when determining how to {clean|wash} a {fabric|cloth} sofa properly.

1. You {need|want} to {review|assess} your manufacturer’s {instructions|directions}:

Always, always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before {attempting|trying} to remove stains from your sofa or freshen up your {couch|sofa}. Failing to do so could void warranties or {flat-out |}ruin your {couch|sofa}.

2. The tags can answer many cleaning questions:

If you {can’t|can not} find the manufacturer’s {instructions|directions}, {don’t|do not} fret. There should be a {tag|label} on your {sofa|couch} cushions that clues you in on important {facts|details}, {such as|like} {whether|if} the {material|substance} is water soluble. 

{Keep|Bear} in mind that one side of {the|this} tag may {address the|deal with} cleaning of the {sofa|couch} cover, while {the other|another} will {provide|offer} {information|advice} for washing the cushions {themselves|}. {Make sure you’re|Be sure to’re} {looking|taking a look} at the {correct|right} tag before you {clean|wash}.

3. Properly {reading|studying} a cleaning {tag|label} can save you a {lot|great deal} of {grief|despair}:

Typically, {you’ll|you will} find one of four letters on the cleaning tag of your {sofa|couch}. {Here’s|Here is} what each means:

• W — You can {clean|wash} this material using water.
• S — No water. {You’ll|You will} need to purchase a {special|unique} solvent-based cleaner.
• WS — You can use {water or |}a solvent-based cleaner {on|with} this {sofa|couch}.
• X — Vacuum only.

4. You {should never|shouldn’t} deviate from the {recommended|suggested} cleaning methods on the {tags|labels}:

Water {may seem|might appear} {innocuous|benign}, but if you use it to clean a {couch|sofa} that specifically {calls for|requires} a solvent-based cleaner and nothing else, {you’re|you are} going to {be in for|have} an unpleasant surprise. Believe it or not, the water will actually leave a {stain|blot} on your {sofa|couch}. {Don’t|Do not} risk {ruining|destroying} your furniture. {Stick|Adhere} to the tags. They know {what’s|what is} best for your {couch|sofa}.

How to Clean a {Fabric|Cloth} Sofa If {It’s|It is} Stained

If your {sofa|couch} tag is marked with an”X,” you should {only|just} vacuum it with an attachment. And, as you now know, sofas tagged with”S” require solvent-based cleaners {that|which} should be clearly labeled with the {directions|instructions} you need for those particular products. The cleaning instructions below should {only|just} be used for sofas with tags marked”W” or”WS.”

{You’ll|You will} need {the following|these} items and {ingredients|components}:

• A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
• {At least three|three or more} light-colored microfiber {cloths|fabrics} that won’t bleed {on|in} your {sofa|couch }
• A bucket
• Distilled water (The minerals in tap water {can|may} leave residue behind. A {quick|fast} {Internet|online} search should yield {plenty|loads} of DIY instructions on distilling water, or you {can|may} {find|get} an inexpensive jug at {almost|just about} any grocery store.)
• Liquid dish soap
• Distilled white vinegar

Note: {You should|you must} always spot test homemade {solutions|remedies} on a small, inconspicuous area of the material before {you begin|starting} cleaning.

1. Vacuum your {couch|sofa} so {you’re|that you’re} not rubbing in {dirt or debris|debris or dirt} while cleaning.
2. In the {bucket|skillet}, mix about 2 cups of distilled water with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
3. Dampen a microfiber {cloth|fabric} with your cleaning solution.
4. Gently blot any stained areas with the {cloth|fabric}. {Don’t|Do not} rub or scrub. This can damage the fibers.
5. Moisten {a fresh|an original} microfiber {cloth|fabric} with distilled water (no dishwashing liquid or vinegar this time), and blot the affected area to remove any {remaining|residual} soap.
6. {With|Having} a dry microfiber cloth, blot the area one more time.
7. Point a {fan|buff} on the area to {make sure|be certain} it dries completely. 

How to {Steam |}Clean Your Couch 

{If you|for those who} {have|own} a sofa marked”W” or”WS,” you {may|might} {be able|have the ability} to use an upholstery steam cleaner. Before you get excited, consult the manufacturer’s {instructions|directions} for the steamer to {see|find out} whether {it’s|it is} OK to use it on your {couch|sofa} fabric. While,”W” and”WS” sofas {may|might} {be able|have the ability} to {withstand|resist} water, they {can’t|can not} {always|consistently} take the heat.

{Additionally|In addition}, {you’ll|you will} want to do a spot test on a {small|tiny} out-of-the-way {part|region} of the {sofa|couch} to {make sure|ensure} steaming {won’t|will not} cause any permanent damage.

When it comes to figuring out how to steam clean a {couch|sofa}, {you’re|you are} really {just|only} going to follow the manufacturer’s instructions {provided|supplied} with the upholstery steamer. They {should|ought to} {tell you|let you know} what settings {you’ll|you will} need to use. 

There are {a few|some} tricks that {can|may} make your cleaning more {successful|effective}, though:

• Vacuum your {sofa|couch} before you {start|begin} to steam clean. After {you have|you’ve} steamed and the {sofa|couch} has {completely|fully} dried, vacuum it {again|}.
• Pick a {nice|great} day to steam clean your {couch|sofa} so {that |}you can open the windows and air out the room.
• Some steam cleaners use microfiber {cloths|fabrics} to help pick up debris. {You’ll|You will} want to change these out as you steam so you can pick up all {the|of the} dirt.
• After steaming, point a fan {on|in} your {couch|sofa} to {help it|allow it to} dry completely.
• Wait {until|till} the water in the steamer cools before dumping it out.

Stains on the couch?

If the material of your upholstery dictates it {may|might} not be {harmed|damaged} by moisture cleaning {methods|techniques}, you {may|might} want to {begin|start} your spotting efforts with cool water and a mild {spotting|darkening} agent. Leons Carpet Cleaning uses highly effective yet {mild|gentle} {spot|place} cleaners for stubborn stains. Always test an inconspicuous area before {attempting|trying} spot cleaning.

Other {tools|resources} and solutions can {be also|also be} {used|utilized} to lift spots. A hand-held steam cleaner can help lift stubborn stains from {fabric|cloth} upholstery, using {just|only} water. Use a whipped solution to rub off stubborn {spots|stains}. Just mix a {full|complete} glass of {cool |}water and {2|two} drops of dish detergent {with|using} a hand mixer. Use a rag to blot in the solution; then rinse it out with water.

If these methods {are not|aren’t} enough, then {it’s|it is} time to call in the {experts|pros} at Leons Carpet Cleaning {in|at} Woodbridge, VA. We {offer|provide} professional upholstery cleaning, servicing Woodbridge, VA. Once your upholstery is clean, you {may|might} consider {applying|employing} a fiber protector for {long lasting|continuous} clean results!