Sofa Solutions: How to Deep Clean a Couch

Our kitchens, bathrooms, floors and hard surfaces are all areas that we tend to clean and sanitize on a regular basis. Yet, whilst we tend to focus the majority of our cleaning efforts on these obvious areas of the home, we can often forget that household items such as the sofa also require a deep clean every now and again to keep them sanitary, safe and hygienic. Sure, your couch may look clean and comfortable, but the truth is our sofas can be the perfect hiding place for dust, dirt and harmful bacteria.

If you have small children or pets, you’ll know all too well just how quickly your sofa can become dirty and grubby. Toddlers and animals seem to be experts at leaving crumbs, dirt, hair and all kinds of unwanted stains on sofas. That’s why it’s especially important to include your sofa in your regular deep cleaning routine.

Below is a quick and easy guide on how to deep clean your couch:

1.    Start With the Vacuum

The first step to a cleaner couch is to remove the majority of any crumbs, hair, dirt and debris that may be present. The easiest way to do this is with your vacuum cleaner. Many vacuum cleaners have a specialized attachment that you can use for upholstery. These types of attachments usually have stiff bristles that will help with the removal of stubborn dried-on food or pet hair. If you’re a pet owner, investing in a vacuum cleaner that has been designed to effectively remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery will save you valuable time. If you're not sure where to start, you can use resources on sites like Home Viable to choose the right vacuum cleaner for you.

When vacuuming, ensure you remove all the couch cushions and pay particular attention to the harder to reach areas such as tight corners. Spending extra time on this initial step will give you the best end result.

2. Remove Odors

Next up is odour removal. A smelly couch is often caused by the fabric absorbing moisture, cooking odours and bacteria. Whilst there are many antibacterial, deodorizing upholstery cleaning products that you can buy, ordinary baking soda is just as effective. Baking soda can also be a much cheaper option and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that may damage the material of your couch. That being said, it’s still wise to test the baking soda on an inconspicuous area of the sofa’s fabric just to check the powder is easy to remove and doesn’t leave a pale residue.

When you’re ready, cover the entire couch in baking soda. To ensure even coverage, you can use a bristle brush to gently spread the powder to form an even layer. Once complete, let this sit for a couple of hours before removing with your vacuum.

3. Stain Removal

Once you’ve successfully deodorized your sofa it’s time to move onto getting rid of any visible stains. Before starting any kind of stain removal, ensure your chosen method is suitable for the kind of material you’re treating. If you’re unsure it’s always best to check the fabrics unique care label.

Whether you choose to buy specialized pre-made fabric cleaners or opt to make a homemade cleaning solution the process should be quite similar. Apply your chosen cleaner to the affected area, being sure not to saturate the fabric. You can work in the product if desired with a soft cloth or very soft bristle brush. Then blot up and excess product with a clean, damp cloth and allow the area to dry completely.

4. Disinfect and Wipe Down Hard Areas

Finally, wipe down any hard areas of the couch such as the feet with a disinfectant of your choice. Ensure the products you’re using don’t contain harsh chemicals such as bleach that may cause damage to the sofa. If the sofa’s legs are wooden you may wish to finish with polish or wax.

And there you have it. Giving your couch a deep clean doesn’t require professional equipment and expensive cleaning products. With only a handful of basic products, a vacuum cleaner and some good old-fashioned elbow grease your sofa will be squeaky clean in no time at all.