Your sofa is the heart of your living room—a place for family movie nights, relaxing with a book, and entertaining friends. But daily life takes its toll, leading to spills, stains, and general wear and tear.
Protecting your investment doesn't have to be complicated. With some simple regular care, you can keep your sofa looking and feeling its best for years to come. Here is our expert guide to sofa maintenance.
Chapter 1: The Basics – Daily & Weekly "Light Touch" Care
Regular Vacuuming: Use the soft brush attachment to vacuum your sofa weekly. This removes dust, crumbs, and abrasive particles that can grind into the fibers and cause wear.
Fluff and Rotate: Make it a habit to flump cushions and rotate them every few weeks. If the cushions are reversible, flip them over. This ensures even wear and prevents permanent sagging.
Mind the Sun & Heat: Protect your sofa from prolonged direct sunlight, which can cause fabrics and leather to fade and become brittle. Also, keep it at a reasonable distance from radiators or fireplaces to prevent drying and damage.
Pet Patrol: Keep your pet's nails trimmed to prevent snags and scratches. A well-placed throw blanket can also protect their favorite napping spot.
Even Usage: Regularly rotate and flip cushions (if removable) or change your sitting/sleeping positions to prevent excessive wear and sagging in specific areas.
Avoid Jumping: Avoid jumping on the sofa, as this can damage the internal frame and filling, and may cause personal injury.
Keep Dry: Damp environments can promote mold growth. Ensure good ventilation. If any liquid is spilled, blot it immediately until dry.
No Harsh Chemicals: Avoid direct contact with alcohol, solvents, or strong acids/alkalis (like bleach or some powerful stain removers), as they can corrode or discolor the surface.
Chapter 2: Cleaning Instructions for Fabric Sofas
A. Spot Cleaning (For fresh stains)
Water-Based Stains (e.g., coffee, juice, wine):
Immediately blot with a clean, absorbent, white cloth (to prevent color transfer).
Dampen another clean white cloth with a solution of neutral upholstery cleaner or a diluted mild dish soap solution (ratio 1:10 or lower).
Gently dab or blot the stain from the outer edge towards the center. Never scrub or rub vigorously!
Use a separate cloth dampened with clean water to rinse the area and remove any soap residue.
Blot dry with a dry cloth. You can use the cool air setting of a hairdryer to assist in drying.
Oil-Based Stains (e.g., grease, makeup):
Sprinkle the stain with baking soda or cornstarch. Let it sit for several hours to absorb the oil, then vacuum it up.
Afterwards, treat the area using the method for water-based stains.
Alternatively, use a dedicated degreaser cleaner (always test in a hidden area first).
B. Overall Cleaning
Dry Foam Cleaning: The most common and safest method for home use. Use a household upholstery cleaning machine or a foam cleaner. Apply the foam, gently agitate with the provided brush or a soft-bristle brush, then wipe away the residue with a clean, damp cloth. Finally, blot dry with a dry cloth. Ensure the sofa is completely dry before use to prevent mildew inside the cushions.
Steam Cleaning: Use with caution. High-temperature steam can damage some fabrics, cause shrinkage, bring deep-set dirt to the surface, or weaken adhesives. Recommended for professional use only.
Professional Cleaning: For large areas, set-in stubborn stains, or valuable sofas, we highly recommend hiring a professional upholstery cleaning service.
Important Notes
TEST FIRST! Always test any cleaning solution on a hidden, inconspicuous area of the sofa (e.g., the bottom, backside) to check for colorfastness and any damage to the fabric.
Avoid Over-Wetting. Excessive moisture can lead to watermarks, shrinkage, internal mildew, and clumping of the filling material. Always blot thoroughly and ensure the sofa dries completely.