How to Clean Your Couch the Right Way and Finally Get Those Stains Off

A couch is usually the central gathering spot in a living room and takes lots of abuse from dirty feet, spilled food and drinks, and pets. All this use means it will need regular cleaning to keep it looking good and smelling fresh.

No matter what type of upholstery is covering your couch, we’ll share steps on how to clean the couch and help it last.

How to Clean A Couch

Check the Care Tag

If you’re not sure what type of upholstery is covering your couch and how to clean it safely, check the care tag. It can usually be found on the bottom of the couch or under one of the cushions. If it’s missing, visit the manufacturer’s website for cleaning instructions.

On the tag, you’ll see a code. W means the upholstery can be cleaned with water-based cleaning products. S means the fabric can only be cleaned with a dry cleaning or water-free solvent. W-S shows you can use either water-based or solvent-based products for cleaning.

X means you should call a professional! You can vacuum this type of upholstery to remove dust but using any home cleaning product can cause staining or shrinking.

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Vacuum the Upholstery

Couch upholstery should be vacuumed weekly — not just when you’re ready to give the couch a thorough cleaning. Vacuuming removes loose dust and soil that can become embedded in the fibers leaving them dull and dingy.

Start at the top of the couch and slowly move the vacuum over the upholstery. If your vacuum doesn’t have an upholstery attachment, use a soft-bristled nylon brush to gently loosen the soil before vacuuming it away.

Remember to clean thoroughly every crevice, under all the cushions, the back of the sofa, and the fabric sides.

Test the Upholstery Cleaner in a Hidden Spot

with a bit of the cleaner and rub it onto a hidden area under a cushion. Allow the area to dry.

Note any color changes or dye transfer to the cloth. If there are none, the product is safe to use to clean larger areas of the couch.

Pretreat Stains and Heavily Soiled Areas

Visible stains and heavily soiled areas like the head and armrests should be pretreated before cleaning the entire couch. Apply the cleaner with a cloth or soft-bristled brush and allow it to work for at least 15 minutes to help lift the soil. If using a commercial cleaner, follow the label directions.

To make a DIY stain remover, mix 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Dampen a clean cloth with the mixture and blot the stained area. Start at the outside edges to prevent the stain or soiled area from spreading.

Oily stains can be pretreated by spreading dry baking soda or cornstarch over the area. Let it stay in place for 12 to 24 hours to help absorb the oil, then vacuum it away. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Clean Overall

Using the commercial cleaner or DIY solution, start at the top of a cushion or the couch’s back or arms to prevent dripping dirt onto already cleaned areas. Do not over-saturate the fabric.

with plain water, and wipe the fabric to rinse. Move to the next area, and repeat the steps.

Air-Dry

Allow the fabric to air-dry before using the couch again. If the fabric has a nap and it is matted, use a vacuum to lift the fibers.

How to Remove Odors From Couch

Simply vacuuming the couch will help remove bacteria and odor molecules that are trapped in the fabric. For additional freshening, sprinkle the upholstery with baking soda. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently work it into the fabric. Allow the baking soda to work for at least one hour or up to overnight. Then, vacuum away the baking soda.

will also kill trapped bacteria that cause odors. Steam cleaning works well on synthetic upholstery but should not be used for leather, suede, or delicate fabrics.

Cleaning Special Couch Materials

Certain types of upholstery require some specialized cleaning care.

• , you must use a gentle, leather cleaner like saddle or Castile soap. Once cleaning is complete, apply a leather conditioner to keep the upholstery soft and supple to prevent cracking.
• is animal leather that has a napped or fuzzy finish. It should be vacuumed weekly and spot-cleaned with care. Overall cleaning is best done by a professional upholstery cleaning service.
• refers to non-water, hydrocarbon-based compounds used to clean delicate or non-colorfast fabrics that can be damaged when using water-based cleaning methods. The solvent is toxic and flammable and must be used and disposed of with caution.
• are created from polyester and nylon fibers that are woven and cut to mimic the soft, plush feel of natural suede. The fabric is easy care but the surface can appear matted after cleaning. Use a vacuum to quickly restore the soft nap.

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