The couch is where all the cute stuff happens at home—watching Netflix with your loved one, catching up on the day, playing games, and more, often with drinks and snacks in hand. This is also the spot where chips, popcorn kernels, and cookie crumbs get trapped between the cushions. When it comes to cleaning, the couch isn’t always the first thing we think about.
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“It’s important to clean our couches regularly for several reasons, but preventing the spread of bacteria is a good one,” says Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “Thanks to muddy paws, sticky hands, and food particles, your couch is trapping contaminants that could irritate your skin.”
Vacuuming your fabric couch may get rid of light debris and a few stray pet hairs, but you need deep cleaning to get rid of set-in stains, spills, and pet smells. The first thing you want to do is check the couch’s care tag to see what cleaning method and products are safe to use on the fabric. Check its label for a cleaning code that spells out the correct cleaning technique:
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W: Water can be used, which makes it the easiest to clean.
WS: A dry cleaning or mild detergent and steam vacuum can be used.
X: Nothing more than vacuuming can be used.
S: Can be cleansed with a cleaner detergent.
Next, do a patch test. Test your cleaning technique on a small hidden area of your sofa. “Do not continue cleaning if the water or product leaves a mark or creates discolouration, or if the treated area is cleaner and brighter than the rest of the fabric, or if ripples or wrinkles appear,” says Madeline Miller, a product specialist. “If you see any of these reactions, do not proceed with the spot treating and have a professional clean the item instead.”
Materials Needed
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Spray bottle
- Brush attachment
- Clean cloth
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Instructions
Step 1
After vacuuming the couch, sprinkle the entire couch with baking soda and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Using a brush attachment, vacuum the couch to remove the baking soda.
READ ALSO: 10 Surprising Uses For Baking Soda
Step 2
While the baking soda sits, make an all-purpose cleaner by combining 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and a cup of warm water in a small spray bottle.
Next, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and quickly screw the top onto the bottle. “Beware that baking soda and vinegar will create a lot of bubbles when combined,” Peterson warns.
Step 3
Spray a cloth with the solution and wipe down the entire couch for a deep clean. Otherwise, you can just dab into specific spots and stains as you see fit. Let the fabric dry. Do not sit on the couch until it dries.
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