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| www.calabashresidentialcleaning.co.uk |
Stains, tears and normal wear in the fabric of a sofa reduce the attractiveness and usable life of sofas. While sofa fabrics are often treated with chemicals in the factory to protect against stains and wear, these wear off over time. One of the most proactive efforts you can take to protect sofa fabric is to clean promptly using the correct cleaning methods.
- Cover the sofa completely with plastic sheeting whenever you are moving, painting or remodelling in any capacity. Ensure the plastic sheeting has no tears or holes that would allow paint or other stains onto the fabric.
- Vacum the fabric regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and grime that will eventually stain the fabric.
- Clean the area where any stain has occurred with a cloth and water first before resorting to stronger cleaners' it may come off with just water.
- For those fabrics that can withstand water, a mild solution of washing-up liquid or laundry detergent and warm water should shift unsightly marks. Test it on a hidden area first and allow to dry to check it won't damage the fabric. If the test looks ok, lightly dab the solution onto the stain, then use a clean cloth and water to rinse the area.
- A slightly stronger cleaner for sofa fabric is vinegar. Dab neat white vinegar onto the stain then follow up with a mild soap solution, followed by plenty of clean water and dry quickly.
- Try hard-to-remove red wine stains with white wine or white wine vinegar before cleaning off with water or cleanser. Again, test the solution on a hard-to-see area for colour fastness.
- Dab off any moisture from the cleaned area of the sofa, and use a hairdryer on cool setting or fans to help it dry quickly. A moist area will attract dust, dirt and grime quickly, which means another cleaning and additional associated wear on that area of your sofa fabric.
- Give the sofa a proper cleaning twice a year with a wet cloth to remove the natural dingy buildup and aid the longevity of a true fabric colour.
- Never use bleach on fabric sofas, even those that appear white.
- Watch out for sofa fabrics labelled as dry-clean only! These fabrics don't handle water or standard sofa cleaners well.
Top User Tips... Share Yours Below
If you have kids, you may find a crayon stain on your sofa fabric. To remove it, place a few drops of bleach-free dish soap onto the stained sofa. Use your fingers to work the soap into the stain. Then scrub the affected area of the sofa with the rag to further work soap into the fabric. Rinse the sofa well with a damp sponge and blot with a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture.
Posted by Nichole
Always check manufacturer's instructions first. Always try a test patch first. If you are unsure as to whether the item you are cleaning is suitable for our instructions, take professional cleaning advice first.
