Owning a fabric sofa not only adds a nice style to your space but it is also comfy. Knowing how to clean a fabric couch is essential to making sure it lasts for many years, especially if you have pets or little ones.
We are going to tell you how to treat stains, understand the cleaning codes, and maintain your fabric couch.
Cleaning Codes for Fabric Couches
On your couch, there are tags, usually found under the cushions. On those tags, there are what seem to be random letters, but those are actually cleaning codes. We created a table below to show you what each letter means and what you can use to clean it.
| Cleaning Code | Meaning |
| W | “Water-based cleaners”. Only use a cleaner with water as its main component. |
| WS | “Water-based and solvent cleaners”. It’s safe to use both water-based and solvent-based cleaners on your fabric couch. |
| S | “Solvents”. Only use a cleaner that uses cleaning chemicals as its main component. |
| X | “Vacuum only”. Do not use any liquid-based cleaners on your fabric couch. |
How to clean fabric sofa stains
We will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to clean fabric sofa stains to ensure your couch lasts for many years to come.
- Treat the stain as soon as possible. As soon as something spills on your fabric couch, make sure to blot it with a microfiber cloth or paper towel right away. Waiting too long will cause the stain to settle and will make it much harder to get out.
- Check the manufacturer’s recommendations and cleaning codes. Before you begin to clean the stain with a cleaner be sure to look at the tags usually found under the cushions. Refer to the cleaning codes chart above.
- Vacuum your couch. Before you start using cleaning agents be sure to vacuum up any loose dirt that may be on the surface. You don’t want to be scrubbing dirt into the stain.
- Spot treat with the recommended cleaning agent. Use a microfiber cloth that won’t bleed color and dampen it with the recommended cleaning product. If you are unsure about the cleaning agent, be sure to test on a small area where you or guests won’t see it.
- Dry the cleaned area. Once you have blotted the stain with the cleaning product use a dry microfiber cloth and continue to blot the area, soaking up the dampened area.
- Let your fabric sofa dry. Let your sofa air dry or if you have a small fan, point it towards the damp area to speed up the drying process.
How to steam clean a couch
If the tags on your couch are marked with a W or WS you may be able to use a steamer to give your couch a deeper clean. Before you take a steamer to it, make sure to read over the manufacturer’s instruction booklet. Even though it may say W or WS the fabric may not be able to withstand the heat of a steamer, causing you to damage the fabric.
If you are in the clear and can use a steamer on your couch, see below for a step-by-step on how to steam clean your couch.
- Vacuum first. Before you steam your couch make sure to get any excess dirt on the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
- Circulate the air inside your home. Make sure you steam your couch on a clear day so you can keep your windows open while you steam. This will allow for the air to circulate and prevent moisture buildup which could leave residue behind.
- Spot test first. Before you start steaming your couch in areas where noticeable, make sure to test on the back or on the inside of your sofa’s skirt. Preventing any unwanted damage.
- Let your fabric couch dry. After you have steamed your entire couch, you can either let it air dry or you can point a fan at the couch to allow for faster drying.
- Vacuum the surface. Make sure your couch has dried completely before vacuuming the surface. Vacuuming after steam cleaning will pick up any loosened dirt the steamer brought to the surface.
- Enjoy your clean couch. Now it’s time to enjoy your clean and fresh couch!
How to disinfect a couch
We spend a lot of time on our sofas and rarely think about disinfecting them like we do other areas of our home. After routine cleanings of your fabric couch, it’s always a great idea to use a disinfecting spray such as Lysol to kill any germs lurking inside the fabric.
Prefer to use a homemade, natural disinfecting spray? See the steps below.
- Use a clean and empty spray bottle.
- Use a natural oil known for its disinfecting properties such as tea tree oil, lavender, lemon, orange, eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, thyme, peppermint, and geranium. Choose the scent you like best.
- Fill your spray bottle with 10oz isopropyl alcohol. Use at least 70% alcohol for this to work well.
- Add ½ teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide.
- Add between 90-100 drops of your choice of natural oil.
- Shake well to mix all together and begin spraying your fabric couch.
Keeping your fabric couch clean is key to being able to enjoy it for many years to come. Plus, keeping it disinfected will help prevent illness within your household. Now you can get back to watching your favorite movies or streaming your favorite shows.
Need a helping hand with cleaning your home?
Our team at Helpro is committed to providing the best cleaning service there is in Orlando. Whether you need house cleaning services or janitorial services, we pride ourselves on being on time, every time, and having strong attention to detail. Click below to get your free quote today!