The centrepiece of the social heart of your home, a well-kept sofa should always be a top priority. As vital destinations for family film nights, afternoon tea or simply catching up with old friends — sofas are some of the busiest areas in our homes, naturally becoming more prone to dirt, stains and odours as a result.
Enjoying time on the sofa doesn't have to result in endless worrying over stains and cleanliness. With a simple day-to-day maintenance routine and thorough deep-cleaning twice a year, you can make the most out of your sofa while ensuring it remains an inviting spot in your home.
In this comprehensive interior guide, we'll talk you through our step-by-step process of how to clean a fabric sofa at home.
Before diving into cleaning techniques, it's crucial to identify your sofa's material and unique care guidelines. Different fabrics require varying cleaning methods to maintain their appearance and extend their lifespan. This is why it's important to consider factors like material durability and ease of cleaning when buying a new sofa for your home.
Below, we'll guide you through how to decipher your sofa's care label, and offer some helpful cleaning guidelines for a range of popular sofa fabrics.
The vast majority of fabric sofas are sold with a care label attached. It's generally found underneath the back or seat cushions, and lists important instructions on which cleaning agents can be used on your sofa's fabric. These instructions are given in the form of simple letter codes, the most common of which we'll explain below:
W: Only water-based cleaning solutions can be used on the sofa's fabric. Sofas with a W on the care label are generally the easiest to clean.
S: Only solvent-based solutions should be used when cleaning the sofa. These fabrics often require professional dry cleaning or the use of specialised cleaning agents.
SW/WS: Both water-based and solvent-based solutions are safe to use. This gives you added flexibility in your maintenance approach.
X: The sofa should only be cleaned by a professional. Stick to vacuuming or brushing lightly if attempting to clean these fabrics at home.
Carefully reading the care label is crucial in knowing how to clean your sofa correctly. This is one of the most important steps in the cleaning process, as applying the wrong cleaning solution can quickly turn a temporary stain into permanent sofa damage.
Sofas are made from a wide variety of fabrics, many of which require vastly different cleaning methods. To find out what material your fabric sofa is made from, check the manufacturer’s label. It should be attached to the underside of the cushions or the sofa itself. If you’re having trouble, try searching online or contacting your sofa’s manufacturer or retailer directly.
Once you have confidently identified your sofa’s fabric, use these guidelines to inform your cleaning approach.
Cotton: Generally durable but prone to wrinkling and shrinking. Cotton fabric sofas can generally be cleaned at home, but check the care label for any specific instructions.
Linen: While naturally strong, linen can wrinkle if cared for incorrectly. We recommend taking your linen sofa to a professional cleaning service for deep stains.
Microfibre: Made from a synthetic fibre that’s naturally stain-resistant, microfibre sofas are relatively easy to clean at home — often with just water or mild soap.
Velvet: Woven from fine and delicate fibres, velvet sofas require gentle care and may need professional cleaning to maintain their soft pile.
Leather: While not technically a fabric, leather is a popular material of choice for sofas. They need regular dusting and occasional conditioning to prevent the surface from cracking.
Once you know precisely which fabric you are dealing with and how to approach cleaning it, it’s time to start gathering the tools you’ll need.
Having all the tools that you might need to hand is essential for any home-maintenance project. In order to clean your fabric sofa safely and effectively, you’ll need:
Vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment: A vacuum is crucial for removing loose dirt, dust and debris from the surface and crevices of your fabric sofa.
Soft-bristled brush: To gently loosen stubborn dirt, debris and pet hair before vacuuming.
Microfibre cloths: These are perfect for applying cleaning solutions and blotting stains without leaving lint or other residue on your upholstery.
White towels: To absorb moisture from stains or cleaning solutions without transferring colours onto lighter fabrics.
Spray bottle: This will help you to apply cleaning solutions gently and evenly over your fabric sofa — just remember to thoroughly rinse the bottle before use.
As discussed above, the correct cleaning solution for your sofa will depend on the type of fabric it's made from. Once you feel confident on how to clean your fabric sofa safely, here are the solutions that you can use:
Note: We recommend always spot-testing cleaning solutions before applying them to fabric. Simply choose an inconspicuous spot on your sofa, apply a small amount of cleaning solution and look out for any changes in colour or texture.
For ‘W’ coded fabrics: Use a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap, or a specialised upholstery shampoo that’s water-based.
For ‘S’ coded fabrics: Use solvent-based solutions or dry-cleaning solvents that are designed for upholstery.
For ‘WS’ coded fabrics: You can use either water-based or solvent-based cleaners. Water-based solutions are better for tackling water-based stains from food, drinks, or mud. Solvent-based cleaners are more effective for oil-based stains like grease, ink or any sticky residue.
Natural alternatives: A natural solution of equal parts water and white vinegar is great for light cleaning, or giving your fabric sofa a general refresh.
You’ve carefully examined the care label, identified your sofa’s fabric, gathered equipment and selected your cleaning agent — all that’s left to do is start cleaning. Whether you’re targeting a specific stain or just refreshing, the following tips will help to get your fabric sofa looking and feeling its very best.
1. Vacuum Thoroughly
To start cleaning your fabric sofa, thoroughly vacuum it with an upholstery attachment. Use slow, overlapping strokes to cover every inch of the fabric — paying particular attention to seams and crevices. A crevice tool can be used if you are struggling to reach more stubborn debris.
2. Treat Surface Stains
Once vacuumed, spot-clean your sofa to tackle any visible surface stains. Fresh stains should be blotted (not rubbed) with a clean, dry cloth — working from the outside of the stain towards the centre to avoid spreading. If you are tackling an older stain, simply apply your tested cleaning solution to it sparingly.
3. Apply the Cleaning Solution
Using the appropriate cleaner for your fabric type, lightly mist the cleaning solution over your sofa with a spray bottle. Work in small sections, starting from the top of the sofa and moving downwards. Don’t apply the solution too heavily, as oversaturating the fabric can lead to water stains or mould.
4. Agitate and Lift the Stains
Use a soft-bristled brush to gently agitate the cleaning solution, making circular motions to help lift dirt from the fabric’s fibres. For delicate sofa fabrics like velvet and linen, take extra care when agitating stains or stick to blotting them with a microfibre cloth.
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5. Rinse and Remove Excess Moisture
If suitable for your fabric, use a spray bottle to lightly mist your sofa with clean water to rinse the cleaning solution out. Use a clean and dry white towel to blot excess moisture as you go. For ‘S’ coded fabrics, simply follow the specific instructions detailed on your solvent-based cleaner.
6. Leave to Dry
Once cleaned, allowing your fabric sofa to dry thoroughly is crucial in preventing mould and mildew. Open windows or use fans to circulate air, and avoid sitting on your sofa until it has dried completely. Give your sofa one final vacuum once dry to restore the fabric’s texture and lift any remaining debris.
If you’re worried that mould has developed in your sofa — or want to learn more about preventing it — explore our extensive guide on how to remove mould from fabric.
While we recommend deep-cleaning your fabric sofa every 6-12 months, establishing a more regular maintenance routine can help to keep your sofa in pristine condition year-round. Introducing these simple practices will help to protect your sofa and deal with stains as they occur, leaving you with much less work to do when it’s time for deeper cleaning.
- Daily and weekly maintenance: Vacuum your fabric sofa with an upholstery attachment weekly to remove surface dust and debris. For a flawlessly-fresh look, plump your scatter cushions and straighten throws daily to prevent wear patterns from developing.
- Protecting against dirt: Use sofa covers to protect high-wear areas from damage and staining, opting for washable covers where possible to ensure easy maintenance. Look for a fabric protector spray that’s compatible with your sofa, and reapply it every 6-12 months to maximise stain resistance.
- Quick-response cleaning: Stains can happen at any time, so it’s important to have everything you need at the ready. We recommend keeping clean, white towels for blotting stains; a spray bottle with a mild soap solution (for ‘W’ coded fabrics); a fabric-safe stain remover that’s suitable for your sofa, and a small container of baking sofa for absorbing fresh spills.
- Regular refresh techniques: To neutralise odours, you can use a fabric-safe spray or mix water and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Sprinkling baking soda over your sofa, allowing it to sit for 15-20 minutes and vacuuming thoroughly is another natural way to keep your sofa fresh.
Keeping your sofa clean and fresh is an ongoing process, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Aside from elevating the aesthetics of your home, a clean sofa provides a comfortable and hygienic seating area for you, your family and guests. By following our expert tips for cleaning your fabric sofa, you can tackle everything from thorough washing to routine maintenance with confidence and ease.
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