Whether we have stains on the couch or not, it remains the favorite place for doing almost anything at home. Be it watching Netflix with your loved ones spending quality time alone, or working from home. It all seems legit on the couch. And for the same, a couch gathers stains from oily hands, accidental coffee spills, etc. So, now you have the added responsibility of cleaning the fabric.

We understand that not everybody is well versed with DIY techniques on fabric couch cleaning. Therefore, this article mentions some of the most useful fabric couch cleaner techniques you can use at home to get a fresh-smelling couch within a few minutes. Because, no matter what, calling professional couch cleaning service providers for minor stains is not an affordable choice for everyone.

Scroll down to know more about DIY techniques to clean fabric couch cleaners made of different fabrics.

Things You Need for Fabric Cleaning 

• Dry Brush
• Vacuum
• Drying Towel
• Baking Soda
• Liquid Dish wash
• Water
• Vinegar
• Steamer

The list mentioned above contains all the products you need to clean different fabric types such as leather, cotton, wool, velvet, etc. Of course, if you have a certain kind of fabric, you can buy only the required products. However, most of the products mentioned are readily available at home. So, let’s get to the cleaning part!

Prepare the Fabric Couch for the Cleaning Process 

You need to prepare your fabric for the cleaning process, meaning that you should vacuum the excess dirt, dust, and any food particles from the couch. Vacuuming helps remove all the unnecessary stuff that may react with baking soda or white vinegar and create a mess. In addition, you can use a soft bristle brush to loosen any stains and dirt on the surface. Finally, if you have any removable fabric on your couch, you can wash the fabric and start the cleaning process.

Couch covers and upholstery are prepared in many fabrics. Hence, the cleaner process varies based on the fabric material. The fabric can be:

Natural Fiber

When we speak of couch cover or upholstery in natural fiber, it is mostly a blend of some fibers to maintain the stiffness and increase the fiber durability. However, compared to artificial fabric, natural fibers are more costly and require special attention. Generally, natural fibers used in couch fabric are Cotton, Linen, and Wool.

Synthetics

Synthetics are prone to damage from vinegar, baking soda, and sometimes water. Therefore, you must understand which synthetic fiber is used in your couch fabric. The commonly used synthetic textiles for furniture are

• Polyester
• Microfiber
• Rayon
• Sunbrella
• Velvet

When you have to clean any fabric, you must read through the instruction manual and wash instructions imprinted on the label on your couch. Every manufacturer puts a tag with some labels to understand and clean the fabric using the right products. The following codes are imprinted on the labels of the fabrics, and they mean:

• S- You can only use solvent to clean the fabric, be it stains or dirt and dust.
• X- You can neither use water nor any solvents but only vacuum to clean the fabric.
• W- You can safely use water and any water-based solutions to remove stains and clean the fabric otherwise.
• S/W- It is the easiest to clean fabrics with this label. It means that you can use mild cleaner, water-based solutions to clean this fabric. In addition, you can use steam cleaners and dishwashing liquids to remove stains and dry the fabric.

Use Baking Powder to Deodorize your Couch  

Baking soda and cleaning go hand-in-hand for everything. For example, when you have a little stain or multiple stains on your sofa, you need to scatter some baking soda on the stain and let it sit for half an hour. Do not put in excess baking soda; you need a thin layer. After 30 mins, you can use the vacuum to brush away the soda and clean the stain.

Now, you have a stain-free and deodorized couch for yourself. You can replicate this process once or twice a month for a fresh-smelling couch. In addition, you can also deep clean the upholstery furniture by mixing baking soda in a carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaners.  

Deep Clean and Clean Persistent Stains Using Baking Soda

The deodorizing part might still leave stubborn stains on the couch, which means you need to do something extra to remove the stains. Therefore, baking soda to the rescue again. It is essential to note that natural fibers are prone to staining. Therefore, you should make it a habit to remove the stains as soon as you find them.

Giving them a long time to sit will only make it harder for you to remove them. So instead, you can mix baking soda with a little dishwashing or water and let it sit on the pigment for a minimum of 20 minutes. Next, use a soft bristle brush to rub the soda on the stain, and then, with the help of a dry towel, you can remove the soda and remaining particles.

Clean the Large Surfaces with Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Water

Larger surfaces make working with dry baking soda; therefore, you need to make solvents and use spray bottles for the best outcome. For this, you need 2 cups of warm water; in it, add half a cup of white vinegar and one small spoon of dish soap. Now, shut the lid and shake it well. When the mixture is prepared, you can spray it on the couch surface from a minimum distance of 25-30cms. 

You can now use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off the solution from the fabric. Ensure that you let the furniture cover dry, or else it can become home for mildew and mold. Fabric cleaner made with vinegar and water will wet and moist the surface. So, if you feel the weather is not competent for the cover to air-dry, then use an air dryer to soak up the leftover moisture. You will now have a clean, fresh-smelling couch.

How to Keep Your Upholstery Furniture Clean? 

The ways mentioned above are a few ways to clean the couch fabric using DYE techniques. All the material is readily available at home. However, you must follow some tips to keep the couch from getting stubborn stains and dirt. You should:

• Follow a regular vacuuming routine
• Clean any food and drink spills immediately and not give them time to sit.
• Use fabric protector spray but ensure that the spray ingredients are good for the fabric material
• Ensure the use of distilled water for cleaning as the regular water leaves behind residues that stain the fabric.
• Do not let direct sunlight hit your furniture to keep the vibrancy alive.
• Deep clean the couch once in 6 months
• Call the professional cleaning staff if needed.

Final Words 

Upholstery furniture is available in almost every house, and it is used for everything from eating to sleeping to playing. Unfortunately, you cannot prevent accidental spills and stains on the couch. We made this guide to help you clean those stubborn stains at home without spending a heavy amount on hiring professional cleaners. In addition, it is always suggested to test a hidden spot before using baking soda, white vinegar, or detergent on the fabric for any discoloration or other impacts.