The best way to clean your sofa’s dirty upholstery and get rid of stubborn stains

We all have a place at home where we find peace, quiet, and relaxation. Some people meditate while cooking; others relax on the couch in the garden; I prefer my couch to rest, read, have a moment of leisure on TikTok and chat with my loved ones about the day’s events. That’s why cleaning furniture seems so vital to me.

And yes, even though I am careful and methodical, on more than one occasion, I have spilled coffee, a few drops of wine my little ones have left grease traces and the food, not to mention the PEST HAIR! All this must be clean; fortunately, nowadays, grooming does not have to be a martyrdom if you use utensils and cleaning products adequately.

How to clean a very dirty upholstered sofa with steam

This article tells you how to clean sofa upholstery properly to remove stubborn stains, food debris, and pet dirt. Follow these tricks to the letter and say goodbye to this headache once and for all!

The steam cleaning the sofa upholstery, besides removing the most stubborn dirt, disinfects and helps get rid of dust mites. However, it is vital that you first move the sofa away from the wall or any nearby furniture, and remove any accessories, cushions and decorative objects on top of it.

That done before you start steaming, make sure that the sofa is free of dust or food crumbs; you can do this by vacuuming the surface and corners of the fabric. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth or a soft bristle brush. Perform the same step on cushions at the back and bottom. Now that you’re done with the surface dirt, it’s time to apply steam:

1. If your vacuum cleaner has a steam function, it is ideal, otherwise you can use a steamer. Fill the tank, connect it to the mains, and attach the hose and the cleaner once it has reached boiling point. Do not forget to select a pressure level indicated by the upholstery manufacturer.
2. Steam vacuum or steam clean the large areas of the back and base and install a smaller head for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
3. Rub the surface with a microfiber cloth to collect the dirt released by the steam and air the room to dry the sofa completely.
4. At the end, it is advisable to vacuum again to remove any remaining hair and crumbs.

How to clean fabric armchairs with baking soda, remove grease and bad odor

We could assure that there is nothing that baking soda can’t clean, and yes, cleaning sofas, armchairs and chairs upholstered in fabric is one of its strong points, besides, it is able to neutralize bad odors. However, it must be used correctly. Otherwise, the results will not be favorable.

1. Mix one liter of warm water with three heaping tablespoons of baking soda. Once dissolved, pour this solution into a spray bottle.
2. Spray a clean cloth with this cleaner and rub it over the grease or oil stain in a circular motion.
3. Let it act for 15 minutes and then remove with a cloth dampened only with clean water.

Removes blood and sweat stains from sofa upholstery

Another great solution for cleaning stained upholstered sofa is hydrogen peroxide, a substance that removes blood and sweat stains from various fabrics. See how:

1. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with four parts water.
2. Impregnate a clean cloth in this liquid without wetting it too much.
3. Scrub the stain and wait for it to act for a few minutes.
4. Remove the product with a damp cloth and ventilate the environment.

Remember that before trying any of these methods you should carefully read the manufacturer’s instruction label. It states whether water can be used (W), solvent-based or dry cleaners (S or P), whether it can be cleaned with water, solvents, dry and even steam (SW), or whether vacuum cleaning alone is preferable because of its delicacy (X).

How to clean the upholstery of a sofa with ammonia?

Cleaning the upholstery of a sofa with ammonia will remove any stubborn stains. Still, it will also can have negative effects on the furniture . Always remember to clean with ammonia before cleaning. to make a control test,, i.e., apply a little ammonia in a place of low visibility to know the effects.

Ammonia is a chemical compound used for many years as a cleaning product. Homemakers often use this alkaline liquid to remove stains from fabrics and other surfaces. However, using it on textures or materials may cause burning or discoloration; it is normally diluted in a 1 to 10 ratio.

In case the cleaning is difficult, you can add neutral ph soap, warm water, and a dash of ammonia in the same container. Stir evenly and then dampen a microfiber cloth to scrub the surface.