Cleaning the sofa at home

Upholstered furniture during operation gradually loses its attractive appearance, becoming covered with dirt, dust, pet hair, spots of various origins. The sofa, the central element of the interior of any home, is most susceptible to loss of presentability. It is worth exploring in more detail the methods and means of cleaning it at home.

Cleaning a sofa at home is a time-consuming, complicated, painstaking, but still feasible procedure. Its features and technique depend on a number of nuances that should be taken into account to avoid irreversible damage or damage to the upholstery.

Methods, means and tools for cleaning a sofa at home are determined on the basis of criteria such as:

• upholstery material and its features;
• nature of pollution, degree of their intensity.

For upholstery of upholstered furniture, modern manufacturers use 3 main types of materials: fabrics (natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic), as well as artificial and natural leather. Sofas with fabric upholstery, which accumulates dust, absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors, are subject to the most severe pollution.

The most capricious upholstery material is considered silk. This expensive fabric easily absorbs odors, quickly becomes covered with dust and greasy spots. For home cleaning of furniture with silk upholstery, exclusively soft and delicate stain-removing products are used.Stains can be removed from the surface of the silk with a soft, clean cloth or microfiber cloth.

Upholstered furniture with upholstery made of dense natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics easier to clean from stubborn dust and greasy spots. Many types of fresh impurities are easily removed from such upholstery with the help of a warm soapy, weak vinegar or soap-soda solution.

Upholstered furniture with upholstery in velor, velvet and flock clean from stains and glossy traces with a microfiber cloth, moving in one direction - strictly along the villi. For cleaning a sofa with matting, tapestry or jacquard apply a brush with thick synthetic or natural bristles.

Sofas made of genuine or artificial leather more resistant to pollution. To maintain a presentable appearance of such furniture, it is enough to regularly conduct a surface wet cleaning.

Cleaning up sofa with leather or leatherette upholstery dirt and grease stains are carried out using a foam sponge dipped in a warm soapy solution.

Some types of upholstery materials can be easily cleaned with simple home remedies: soda, washing powder, lemon juice, soap solution. To remove complex and old dirt, you can use both professional detergents and special cleaning agents prepared by your own hands.

Choosing the means, tools and methods of cleaning the sofa, the origin of the contaminants, their intensity, and the statute of limitations should be taken into account. Some types of stains are practically undetectable at home. Attempts to remove them with aggressive detergents usually lead to damage to the upholstery.

Specialists of cleaning companies distinguish the following groups of pollution, based on the characteristics of their origin:

• food: oils, coffee, wine, juice, tea, chocolate, sauce, berries;
• medicinal: iodine, brilliant green, potassium permanganate;
• household: stubborn dust, street dirt, paint, ink;
• cosmetic: powder, creams, lipstick, mascara, nail polishes;
• vegetable: pollen and sap of plants;
• human and animal waste products: sweat, urine, blood, coat, vomiting.

All of these pollution have a different structure and chemical composition, which must be taken into account when selecting a cleaning agent.

Some types of stains on the sofa upholstery can be easily removed using household appliances and special appliances. The use of this equipment can greatly simplify the procedure for cleaning upholstered furniture.

• Vacuum cleaner - a functional household appliance that helps to remove dust, crumbs, small debris and wool accumulated on the upholstery surface, in the cracks between the seats, back and armrests of the sofa.

• Washing vacuum cleaner - an indispensable assistant in carrying out wet cleaning of upholstered furniture. With its help, you can easily remove small surface contaminants, stains from drinks, food, cosmetics.

• Steam cleaner (steam generator) - A household appliance that removes stains using a powerful jet of steam that is supplied under pressure.This device is used to remove surface contaminants from the sofa upholstery, which cannot be cleaned with ordinary detergents. Steam penetrates deep into pollution and destroys their structure. After steaming, the stains are easily removed with a microfiber cloth.

• Brushes with thick synthetic and natural bristles - convenient and practical devices used for dry and wet cleaning of furniture. Applying them, it is possible to easily remove wool, hair, dried mud, stubborn dust, glossy spots from the upholstery.

• Iron (with or without steamer) - Another popular household appliance that is often used when cleaning upholstered furniture with upholstery made of dense natural fabrics.

To clean the sofa at home you can use both store household chemicals and self-made compounds.

Vanish - An effective stain remover used to remove old and fresh stains of various origins. The product is available in liquid, gel and powder forms. This stain remover can be used for cleaning sofas with upholstery from natural and artificial fabrics. The product eliminates unpleasant odors, quickly and effectively removes stains from grease, drinks and food, cosmetics, juice and pollen from plants, as well as traces of blood, sweat and other vital products of humans and animals.

Blis - An inexpensive, but effective tool to eliminate unpleasant odors and remove stains from upholstered furniture. The product is available in the form of a spray, which can be easily sprayed onto contaminated areas of the sofa. Using this spray, you can clean upholstery material from greasy spots, traces of a marker, felt-tip pen, ballpoint pen, drinks, blood.

Udalix oxi ultra - A universal tool designed to remove stains and clean upholstered furniture. The product is available in the form of a powder that dissolves easily in hot water. This stain remover effectively copes with fresh and old pollution of organic and inorganic origin, without discoloring the upholstery.

Unicum - An effective detergent recommended for eliminating unpleasant odors and removing stains of various origins. The product is available in the form of a spray with a convenient dispenser, which simplifies application and facilitates the cleaning of upholstered furniture. Unicum stain-removing spray is effective in removing stubborn dust, greasy and greasy stains, inks, cosmetics, wine, coffee, berry juice. The tool does not discolor the furniture upholstery.

Shaving foam - A popular tool that is often used to clean upholstered furniture. Foam can be used to clean a dirty and dusty sofa, to remove traces of greasy, to return the upholstery to an attractive appearance.

Soda - The most famous food baking powder, often used as a soft stain remover. Using soda, relatively fresh spots can be removed from the upholstery from textiles, leather, and leather substitute. Use this tool for both dry and wet cleaning of upholstered furniture.

To remove traces of greasy, dirt, stubborn dust, traces of tea and coffee with soda, it is recommended to use a composition prepared according to the following recipe:

• soda - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
• chopped laundry soap - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
• warm water - 1 liter.

All ingredients are thoroughly mixed, the resulting composition is applied to the contaminated areas and lightly rubbed with a toothbrush or foam sponge. After 10-15 minutes, the remnants of the soap-soda solution are removed with a clean damp cloth, and then the treated area is wiped with a paper towel.

Vinegar - Another popular home remedy used to eliminate unpleasant odors and impurities from the sofa upholstery made of dense textile. To eliminate the smell of tobacco smoke, urine or musty, it is necessary to cover the sofa for 15-20 minutes with a large piece of clean cloth dipped in 1% vinegar.

And in order to refresh the color of the upholstery fabric, remove the stubborn dust and traces of dirt, you should prepare a cleaning solution from ingredients such as:

• vinegar 9% - 1 teaspoon;
• salt - 2 tsp;
• warm water - 1 liter.

In the resulting solution, a sheet or a large piece of clean white cloth is moistened, after which it is covered with a sofa. Then the furniture surface is carefully slammed with a beater for the carpets, paying particular attention to the seats, armrests and upper back.

To remove stubborn dust, traces of greasy or stains of street dirt, you should use a composition prepared from ingredients such as:

• table vinegar - 3-4 tbsp. spoons;
• dishwashing liquid Fairy - 1 teaspoon;
• water - 300-350 ml;
• baking soda - 1 tsp.

All ingredients are mixed in a plastic bottle and shaken. Then the foamed solution is sprayed from the spray gun, applying it to the surface of the contaminants. After 7-10 minutes, the treated area is carefully cleaned with an old toothbrush, and then wiped with a sponge moistened with clean water. At the end of the sofa cleaning, the upholstery cloth is wiped with a dry cloth.

Hydrogen peroxide - An inexpensive and affordable pharmacy product, with which you can remove not only unpleasant odors that have absorbed into the upholstery material, but also some stubborn stains. Peroxide is suitable for removing stains from spilled drinks (beer, wine, fruit and berry juices, tea, milk) with dense and light fabric upholstery.

To prepare the cleaning composition, mix the following:

• hydrogen peroxide 3% - 2 teaspoons;
• sodium bicarbonate - 1 tsp.

The mixture is applied to contaminated areas for several minutes, after which it is removed with a brush or foam sponge. The treated area is wiped with a damp cloth, wiped dry with a cotton towel and dried with a hairdryer.

Ammonia - a clear liquid with a strong specific odor, which is often used in everyday life as an effective stain remover. This tool copes well with traces of greasy, stains from drinks, food, cosmetics. With it, you can destroy the mold, remove unpleasant odors that have absorbed into the furniture upholstery. Liquid ammonia is used to clean furniture with dense and durable textile upholstery. This product is not suitable for removing stains from upholstery from silk, leather, artificial leather, flock, delicate materials.

Deep sofa cleaning - A comprehensive procedure that includes several stages. To conduct it, you will need to prepare the following tools and tools in advance:

• vacuum cleaner (normal or washing);
• thick brushes;
• several pieces of clean and dry cotton fabric;
• napkins;
• stain removers.

Initially, the sofa will need to be prepared for the upcoming procedure. To do this, the upholstery material is cleaned with a hard dry brush, removing dust, fine debris, wool, hair. After that, the sofa upholstery is thoroughly vacuumed. If there are traces of stubborn dust on the upholstery, the sofa is covered with a damp clean sheet and slammed with a beater for carpets. Sofas made of leather and leatherette are simply wiped with a sponge dipped in warm water.

After removing dust from the upholstery, they begin to clean solid contaminants. Glued chewing gum, drops of candle wax or paraffin, traces of paint or nail polish are carefully scraped off with a sharp knife.

At this stage use products that destroy odors and remove stains. The choice of funds is carried out based on the characteristics of the existing contaminants, the degree of their intensity and the type of upholstery material. Most fresh organic contaminants are easily removed with Vanish stain remover, laundry soap and soda. Greasy stains and greasy marks can be easily removed with dishwashing liquid.

The odor can be removed with a steam cleaner.. A good soap-soda solution also copes with this problem. It is sprayed on the surface of the upholstery and cleaned off after 10-15 minutes.

At the final stage, carry out wet cleaning the sofa. To do this, you can use a washing vacuum cleaner or a brush with a thick pile soaked in soapy water. At the end of the work, the upholstery material is wiped with a dry cotton towel and dried with a hairdryer.

Before you try to wipe or wash the old stain, eaten upholstery, yourself will be correct Test the stain remover used in an inconspicuous area. If after 5-10 minutes the treated area turns pale or changes color, you cannot use this product to clean the sofa.

When preparing cleaning solutions from ammonia or vinegar essence, it is necessary use rubber gloves. To protect your respiratory system, you can use a medical mask.

In the end, we’ll look at a few useful tips suggested by experts.

1. Soap scattersremaining on the upholstery after cleaning can be wiped off with a clean cloth moistened with warm water. Then the wet section of the upholstery should be dried with a hairdryer.
2. To remove traces of plasticine or slime, use a sharp knife, Vanish stain remover, or dishwashing liquid. First, the main part of the contaminants is scraped off with a knife, and then the remaining trace is washed with a stain remover.
3. Greasy spots traces of grease are easily removed with dishwashing liquid. To clean light furniture, it is better to use colorless foaming liquids that leave no residue.
4. Very comfortable to use is upholstered furniture with removable covers. If heavy contaminants that do not lend themselves to normal cleaning appear, the covers can be washed in the machine or replaced with new ones.
5. To remove marks from a pen or felt-tip pen with leather upholstery, cologne is allowed. It should be borne in mind that after wet cleaning of a sofa made of leather or leather substitute, it is necessary to wipe the upholstery dry.Under the influence of moisture, natural and artificial skin begins to warp, deform and lose its presentable appearance.

See how to clean your sofa at home in the next video.