Fabric sofas and couches come in a variety of colors and designs and are an important part of your home embellishment. They make your ambiance prettier and often play a significant role as the center of all social activity. Don’t all of us love lounging around our comfy couches and exchanging pleasantries? But while we love getting cozy what we dread is cleaning and maintaining our upholstered beauties with a dedicated regularity. We often forget about them and do not realize how dirty they get with dust mites, debris, and pollutants.
As homeowners, we often blame it on our busy schedules and lifestyles to spare a thought for servicing our upholstered furniture by upholstery cleaning Melbourne service experts. But the fact remains these often become dens for diseases and allergies and require regular cleaning. While upholstery cleaning Brisbane specialists can do a proper deep cleaning, you can also fill the in-between time with some quick dry cleaning, to reduce the work of experts.
Things to Do For Regular Cleaning Of Your Sofas and Couches
No matter how busy you are to keep your sofas and fabric couches looking bright and well-maintained you have to go in for periodic cleaning. It is recommended that you dry clean the fabric couch every two to three days and deep clean once every four to six weeks.
Learning To Read Fabric Cleaning Codes Properly
If you have decided to self-clean your fabric couch, it is important to read the fabric couch’s label closely and understand it. There are four basic codes that need to be heeded, and then you are on safe grounds. The codes are-
Water-Based Cleaning (W): The W means water-based cleaner and such fabric sofas are easiest to clean as water can be safely used. For spot, cleaning uses the water-based cleaning agent directly on the stain on your couch with a brush. Be careful about not using water in excess that might over wet your stain.
Solvent-Based Cleaning (S): The S means solvent-based cleaner or dry cleaning agents may be used. While using this technique keep far from open flames and make sure you are in a well-ventilated place.
Vacuum Or Light Brush Only (X): The X means your fabric couch may only be lightly brushed or vacuumed. These couches are difficult to be maintained and you have to avoid using a solvent based or water-based cleaner on them.
Water Or Solvent-Based Cleaning (W/S): This implies either a water or solvent cleaning option may be used. You can use upholstery shampoo or mild dry cleaning solvent for spot cleaning.
Do A Patch Test: Remember it is better to be safe than sorry. Before using a specific cleaning option, practice pre-testing on a small inconspicuous portion of your couch fabric. If the fabric shows no damage, you can proceed with cleaning the couch.
Few Helpful Suggestions to Clean Your Fabric Couch
Promptly clean all stains and spills: Immediately clean up any spills or stains. The quicker you act, the smoother it will be to remove. If you give it time, it will be tougher to remove. Deeper stains are left to Upholstery cleaning Melbourne experts.
Cleaning sofa covers: In case your couch has removable covers, remove them first and clean them separately. If your couch does not have removal covers then you need to progress toward brushing. You may hand wash them or clean them in a washing machine.
Brushing your sofa covers: Use a dusting brush for upholstery or a dry cloth to wipe off any dirt or dust. The color of the cloth you use to wipe should be matching with the sofa to avoid color staining.
Vacuum your sofa: After wiping off dust and dirt from your fabric couch, use a vacuum and glide it on the couch’s arms, backside, folds, cushions, and deeper parts. Use the adjustments in a vacuum that allow maximum reach.
Steam clean couches with labels W/S or W: Use a steam cleaner, clothes steamer, or iron (with steam option) in a small hidden patch of the couch. If the couch can withstand heat, you can continue the process for the entire couch. Not doing this patch test would be risky and might damage the fabric. Steam cleaning dislodges debris and disinfects the fabric by removing pathogens, dust mites, and bacteria embedded in the fabric. Of course, the techniques adopted by Upholstery cleaning Brisbane experts would be far more effective in complete disinfection.
Blend white distilled vinegar, water, and dish soap to rid stains (for couches with label W or W/S): Such couches are easy to clean when stains are concerned. Make a mixture in a spray bottle consisting of one tablespoon of dish soap, one part white distilled vinegar, and three parts water. After spraying on the stain, rub this on the stain using a clean dry cloth. Dip the corners of a damp cloth in water to remove residue.
Use baking soda to remove stains and spots for couches labeled with S: To remove stains or a spot sprinkle some baking soda directly on it and leave for half an hour. The soda breaks down grease and stains and also removes smells. Then simply vacuum the residue. For couches that have W and W/S options on the label, the baking soda, some water, and dish soap may be mixed to form a powdery paste that may be used to remove stains. After leaving it for some time clear away the residue with a vacuum or moist cloth.
Using fabric sofa cleaner: While buying fabric sofa cleaner ensure it matches your fabric couch. These may help in removing bacteria, stains, and even unpleasant odors.
Completely dry your couch after deep cleaning: Ensure to dry your fabric couch after deep cleaning. Any moisture would make your couch a potential breeding space for mold. Simply press a clean dry cloth on the fabric and repeat till you feel it is dry. Alternatively, you can speed up drying by directing a fan on high speed on your couch.
Vacuum: After drying vacuum again to remove any extra dust or dirt.
Apply sanitizing spray: Add a final touch of refreshing your couch by using a sanitizing spray which will remove odors. Kill pathogens and also make your room smell pleasant.
One final suggestion is always deep clean your couch after you have had outsiders or guests as the chances of food spills and contamination are more. Always remember the look and health of your fabric couch will be preserved well by you and occasionally call in Upholstery cleaning Brisbane experts for serious requirements and damaging stubborn spills.
