How to Clean Your Fabric Sofa

When you’ve got the sofa of your dreams, you’ll want to keep it looking just as dreamy as the day it was delivered. That’s why we’re here to show you how to easily clean your fabric sofa!

Cleaning a fabric sofa might seem daunting, especially if you’ve gone for one in a brighter colour that doesn’t hide marks as well as the darker hues. But don’t fear, we’ve got four simple steps to clean your fabric sofa, below. 

Let’s get started! 

1. Brush off any dust or dirt

We love a brew and a biscuit (or five) while cosied up on the sofa, but this does mean crumbs are likely to be left behind.

So, the first step to clean your fabric sofa at home is to get rid of any surface-level bits of dirt, dust, or debris. And this is actually super simple to do! In just one easy step, you can get rid of everything from biscuit bits to dog hair – but how?

Well, you simply swipe your hand over the sofa. Make sure to sweep as much off the sofa as you can, to easily get rid of dirt sitting on top of your sofa cushions. You can use a cloth here to avoid things sticking to your hand, but if you’ve not got one nearby, then it works just as well without one. 

2. Take out your vacuum

Now we’ve made a start on cleaning our fabric sofa, it’s time to take care of the more hidden dirt with your vacuum. 

If your vacuum has a soft brush attachment, then now’s the time to use it. When it comes to cleaning sofa fabric, a brush attachment is a more delicate option to ensure the best clean without the risk of damage. Simply run the vacuum with the brush over your sofa to remove as much dirt as possible.

Got a nozzle attachment? Well, that’s even better! 

You can switch out the brush for the nozzle, using this handy gadget to get right down in between the cushions of your sofa. Things like pennies, glasses, and pens can get stuck in between sofa cushions, so make sure to check for any personal possessions first. 

3. Take care of any stains

Between morning mugs of coffee, evening bowls of pasta, and weekend glasses of wine – spillages on the sofa can happen. So, let’s use a sofa stain remover to take care of them.

You can pick up a fabric sofa cleaner from the supermarket, but if you’re caught in a pinch, then you can make your own! The good news is, you’ll likely find the ingredients in your kitchen already – bicarbonate of soda, washing up liquid, and water. 

Mix a teaspoon of bicarb and washing up liquid into a cup of warm water. Then, take a clean, dry cloth and dip it into your homemade sofa fabric cleaner. Next, lightly dab any marks, before letting it air dry completely. And that’s all, it’s just that simple!

4. Wipe down the surface

The last step to a clean upholstery is to give your whole sofa a quick, but gentle, wipe down with a damp cloth. 

Simply take a new, clean cloth and slightly dampen it using warm water. Once done, run it over the entirety of your sofa, making sure not to press down. This will help remove any left over bits of crumbs or dust, as well as any lingering soap from the fabric sofa cleaner.  

It’s important to make sure your sofa dries completely before using it again, and this shouldn’t take too long. But if you’re in a bit of a hurry, then you can try opening windows or directing a fan onto your sofa to speed things up a bit. 

Other tips to keep your fabric sofa clean

Cleaning your fabric sofa of stains or crumbs is a great way to keep it looking fresh, but there are ways to clean a fabric sofa naturally. So, let’s take a look at some top tips:

• Keep your sofa out of direct sunlight: Too much direct sunlight can cause the colour on your sofa to fade over time. So, when you’re arranging your living room, make sure to place it in an area that won’t leave it too exposed. 

• Take care of stains straightaway: It’s tempting to say ‘I’ll do it later’ when it comes to cleaning but waiting to tidy up a stain can actually cause a minor mark to become more permanent. To keep your fabric sofa clean, always take care of stains as soon as you spot them.

• Fluff your cushions: To keep your sofa looking as clean as possible, make sure to fluff your cushions at least once a week. To do this, just pick them up and give them a little shake – it’s as easy as that!

And just like that, you’ve got a lovely clean fabric sofa to unwind on. Looking for more sofa top tips? Well, for guidance on how to style your sofa or how to use throws to dress it, head over to our Inspiration page.