Baking soda and vinegar are some of the main ingredients in cleaning mixtures for your sofa. Find out how to prepare them and some tips to avoid damage to the fabric.
Last update: November 14, 2024
The sofa is not simply a piece of furniture in the home: it is a space to share with family and friends. Being so popular makes it vulnerable to unwanted stains and odors, especially when there are children and pets in the home. To take care of him as he deserves, You can clean it with the products at your disposal, such as hydrogen peroxide, salt and lemon, depending on the type of fabric.
If you’ve been putting off cleaning, it’s time to put on your gloves and prepare some of the seven home solutions for cleaning the upholstery of your furniture that we’ll tell you about below; as well as putting into practice other tips that will help you preserve it in good condition.
1. Baking soda
If what you want is to remove grease or oil stains, THE Bakingsoda paste works as a powerful cleaner for a wide variety of fabrics. However, its use on suede or leather is not recommended.
Ingredients
- Baking soda and hot water in a 1:1 ratio
Preparation
- Combine equal parts baking soda and water in a container.
- Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rub it with a cloth. Then clean with a damp cloth and leave to air dry.
You can repeat the process if stains remain.
Instead, If what you want is to eliminate bad odors from your chair, follow these tips:
- Clean the surface of your sofa of debris with the vacuum cleaner.
- Sprinkle the liner with baking soda. Let it rest for about 20 minutes.
- Vacuum the sofa.
If unwanted odors persist, you can use a portable steam cleaner. Of course, you should test in an inconspicuous area. This recommendation is due to the fact that some sofas cannot tolerate heat.
2. Vinegar and dish soap
If you have a cotton, polyester or microfiber sofa in your living room that is patiently waiting for a water-based stain or unpleasant odor to be removed, vinegar is the ideal homemade product for this cleaning task. Combine it with water and dish soap to get a fairly effective cleaning solution.
Ingredients
- 2 cups distilled water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dish soap
Preparation
- Mix white vinegar, dish soap, and distilled water in the spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the sofa fabric and
If the stain does not lighten, we recommend reapplying the solution until it disappears.
3. Vinegar, baking soda and dish soap
We have already shared two homemade tricks that include vinegar and baking soda separately. Now, if you are wondering how to clean a very dirty sofa, the answer is to test the effectiveness of the joint action of these homemade ingredients, especially to completely clean the surface of a non-removable model.
Acetic acid, present in vinegar, is ideal for fighting bacterial buildup and stains. However, to avoid damaging the fabric of your sofa, we recommend diluting it. For its part, baking soda is environmentally friendly, economical and effective in deep cleaning. Furthermore, dish detergent is present in every home and enhances this stain remover.
Ingredients
- 1 container
- 1 glass of warm water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
- 1 light colored microfibre cloth
Preparation
- Dilute the vinegar and dish detergent in the container together with the glass of water and add a spoonful of bicarbonate until you obtain a smooth mixture.
- Lightly moisten the cloth with the sofa cleaning compound with delicate circular movements: emphasize the areas where dirt accumulates or where there are stains. Leave for 10 minutes or a few hours if necessary.
- Wipe the entire surface with the clean cloth to remove residue and let dry. For this last step you can use natural ventilation.
4. Lemon juice and salt
Lemon is effective for cleaning furniture with light-colored fabrics. Furthermore, it is an ideal stain remover for eliminating traces of spilled coffee, wine or orange juice. Likewise, salt is known for its whitening action.
Ingredients
- 3 lemons
- 1 container
- a handful of salt
- 2 cups of water
- cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 light colored microfibre cloth
- Mix hydrogen peroxide with water. Apply it gently to the stained areas and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Remove the solution with a damp cloth.
- 2 cups of warm water
- Absorbent paper towel
- 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent
- 1 light colored microfibre cloth
- Mix one tablespoon of liquid detergent with two cups of warm water, stir until the product has dissolved and set aside.
- If it’s a fresh stain, dab it with a paper towel to absorb any spilled liquid.
- Dampen a cloth with the solution and gently rub the stain. Wait for it to work for a few minutes. Next, blot the area with another damp cloth to remove any residue.
- 1 brush
- 1 liter of warm water
- 1 light colored microfibre cloth
- 2 tablespoons sodium percarbonate
- Pour one liter of warm water into a container and add two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate. Mix until dissolved.
- Wet a cloth and wipe the surface of the sofa, focusing on the stains.
- Leave to act for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently brush the sofa to remove the product and, if there is any residue, rinse with water.
- Let dry completely.
- Vacuum your fabric sofa once a week.
- Act immediately in case of spills. If the sofa gets stained, use a cloth or absorbent paper to prevent the fabric from soaking in the liquid. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to clean.
- Place the sofa out of direct sunlight or use curtains. This will prevent the fabric from fading.
- Keep covers clean. If you have a sofa with removable covers, wash it often following the instructions on the label.
- Turn the pillows every now and then. This action contributes to the durability of the foam and prevents uneven wear.
5. Hydrogen peroxide
Removing sweat and blood stains from the sofa is quick and easy with the help of hydrogen peroxide. To take advantage of its cleansing properties it is necessary to dilute it in water.
Ingredients
Preparation
6. Liquid laundry detergent
Cleaning a sofa made of cotton, or another type of washable fabric, is easier with laundry detergent. This is why dissolves dirt and grease that adhere to the fiber of the fabrics.
Ingredients
Preparation
If the protagonist of your living room is a white sofa, sodium percarbonate will help keep it clean, thanks to its whitening action.
Ingredients
Preparation
Recommendations to avoid tissue damage
To prolong the life of your sofa, cleaning it is not enough. You also need to consider some variables before, during and after this process. Take some of them into account suggestions It will help you preserve tissue that may be compromised by omitting one of these actions:
1. Check the manufacturer’s instructions
We recommend that you always check the labels on how to wash the fabric correctly, like this one will ensure that the method chosen is appropriate and avoid damage to the fabric of your sofa. Letters like « w», « y/n», « S» or « X» These are some of the symbols you can find.Knowing the meaning of each symbol will allow you to choose the appropriate cleaning option for your sofa.
2. Take a test first
In a discreet area of your sofa, perform a test to observe the reaction to the detergent. This way you will ensure that the method chosen is actually adequate and you will avoid stains or irreversible damage to the fabric.
3. Do not rub the fabric hard
Seeing a dirty sofa can be very annoying; However, You shouldn’t scrub the fabric hard because you could damage it or even spread the stain.. To avoid making the situation worse, remove the dirt with gentle, circular movements.
It is preferable to reapply homemade solutions until the desired result is achieved. Also remember that you must not wet the fabric too much and it is necessary to rinse the detergent residues very well.
4. Remove dust and debris with a soft brush
If you want to clean the sofa from dust, crumbs and other debris, opt for a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner that includes this accessory to avoid damage to the fabric.
5. Let it dry completely
If you have removed a stain or done a deep clean, It is essential to give the fabric time to dry completelybefore sitting on it again.
Sofa maintenance tips
If after cleaning the sofa you want it to stay that way for a long time, we suggest you follow the following advice:
Applying a fabric protector to your sofa will act as a daily shield against stains, dirt and dust.
Maintain the shine of your sofa with homemade solutions
Homemade products are effective, economical and environmentally friendly ways to disinfect and neutralize odors on your fabric sofa. Before applying them, however, it is necessary to consult the cleaning instructions for your upholstery to choose the appropriate method, based on the type of fabric. Furthermore, It is recommended to test the cleaning mixture on a hidden area of the sofa to avoid possible damage.
Another essential aspect is to vacuum, before applying the solution, to remove dust and debris. Also, remember to place it away from the sun’s rays. By putting all these tips into practice, you will help prolong the life of your sofa and continue to enjoy an ideal space to share with your family, free of dirt and stains.
What are the best fabric protector sprays to prevent fading and stains?
Will help prevent fading of the fabric and keep the colors vibrant for longer.
- Use fabric protector sprays occasionally. These products can create a barrier on the fabric, making it more resistant to stains and spills.
- Rotate cushions regularly. This will ensure even wear and tear on the fabric and keep your sofa looking fresh.
- Schedule professional cleanings every 6 to 12 months. This deeper clean can help maintain the appearance and extend the life of your sofa.
By following these tips and practicing regular maintenance, you can ensure that your sofa remains clean, fresh, and inviting for years to come.