DIY Sofa Cleaning Hacks With Pantry Items
Clean furniture is necessary for a healthy home. Commercial cleaners have their role – giving you targeted agents to deal with dirt, stain and odor problems. And you get products that have been specially developed for use on the different kinds of sofa materials. However, chances are that your pantry is also stocked with products you can use. We’ll look at them here. But first, some basic tools you will need to help with the cleaning are microfibre cloths since these can clean without leaving behind lint or scratches on the sofa, as well as soft-bristled brushes since they can gently scrub away more stubborn stains without damaging the fabric. A vacuum is also necessary, preferably one with a HEPA vacuum.
Quick note too before continuing: Before using any new cleaning solution, always spot test it on a hidden area of your sofa to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or damage. With that cleared up, let’s proceed:
- Baking Soda
It is gentle enough not to damage the fabric but has a slight abrasive quality that helps remove dirt and stains from the upholstery fibers without the risk of discoloration or fabric damage. It’s also great for neutralizing odors instead of merely masking them. You can use it to absorbs and reacts with the odor-causing particles – including food odors from strong-scented items like fish, garlic, or spice, smoke smells whether they are from cigarettes or a fireplace, or body odors since natural oils and sweat from human use can be absorbed into sofa fabric.
Baking soda is non-toxic and safe for use around humans and pets. This makes it a health-conscious choice for home cleaning. Plus it’s affordable and widely available, making it a cost-effective alternative to specialized cleaning products.
- Vinegar
Vinegar, primarily composed of acetic acid and water, acts as a mild acid, which makes it a great natural cleaner. Its acidity helps to break down dirt, grime, and sticky residues, making them easier to wipe away.
Typically, you can mix one part water with one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. If dealing with particularly stubborn stains on your sofa, you might consider a slightly stronger mixture. For added cleaning power, a small amount of dish soap can be mixed into the solution, enhancing its ability to cut through greasy stains. Never use undiluted vinegar on upholstery.
For persistent spots, a paste made from baking soda and vinegar can be applied directly to stains. This combination fizzes and effectively lifts stains from the fabric. After applying the paste, wait a few minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth soaked in your vinegar solution, then allow the area to air dry.
While vinegar is suitable for many fabric types, it’s not recommended for all. For instance, you shouldn’t use it on leather. Additionally, overuse of vinegar, especially in stronger concentrations, can lead to material degradation over time, so it’s crucial to use it judiciously.
- Combining Baking Soda and Vinegar
When you mix baking soda (a base) with vinegar (an acid). This reaction produces carbon dioxide, which creates bubbles and foam that help lift dirt from the fabric’s surface. This fizzy action can reach into the fibers of your sofa, making it easier to scrub away grime.
Start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the stained areas of your sofa. Allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes. This pre-treatment helps to deodorize the fabric and loosen some of the surface dirt.
Next, prepare a mixture of white vinegar and a small amount of dish soap in a spray bottle. The dish soap helps to break down grease and enhances the overall cleaning power of the mixture. Lightly spray this solution over the baking soda. You’ll notice the bubbling reaction; this is your cue that the cleaning action is in full swing.
After applying the vinegar solution, let it sit for an additional 10 minutes. This waiting period allows the reaction to fully activate, lifting more dirt and grime. Once the time is up, use a soft brush or a clean cloth to gently scrub the sofa. This action helps remove deeper stains and ensures the cleaning mixture penetrates further into the upholstery.
Following the scrubbing, wipe down the sofa with a damp cloth to remove any residue from the cleaning mixture. It’s crucial to ensure all baking soda and vinegar are thoroughly removed to avoid any potential residue that might attract more dirt.
- Olive Oil
For fabric upholstery, olive oil itself is actually a substance you’d need to remove! You can do so with baking soda. However, olive oil can be used as a natural conditioner for leather upholstery. Apply with a microfiber cloth and gently buff the surface.This can help keep the leather supple. Don’t use too much oil though, since it will leave residue and attract dirt. Note that while olive oil can help condition leather, use it sparingly. The last thing you want is to create a greasy surface that ends up attracting more dirt.
Other Cleaning Hacks
- Cornstarch: This one deals with grease stains. You can use it by itself, or make a paste of cornstarch and water. Since it is also useful for absorbing unpleasant odors, it comes in handy as a dry shampoo for fabrics and upholstery.
- Lemon Juice: It helps lighten stains on light-colored fabrics. It’s especially effective on rust or tannin stains (like those from tea or coffee). When mixed with salt, it can act as a paste for spot cleaning. It’s acidic like vinegar but leaves a pleasant, fresh scent.
- Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): It acts primarily as a solvent, which means it can dissolve and break down substances that water alone cannot. You want to use it for stains like ink, grease, and certain dyes, where it will n disrupt the chemical bonds that hold the stain to the fabric. Keep it away from open flames and heat sources, as rubbing alcohol is highly flammable. Do not use it on delicate ones like silk or wool. It’s also less effective on set-in stains that have been left untreated for a long time.
- Baby Wipes: While not a traditional “pantry item,” many households have them on hand. They are surprisingly effective for quick spot cleaning on fabric sofas due to their gentle cleaning solution and soft, non-abrasive fabric. Use them for quick touch-ups and small emergency spills – rarely though. Wipes can be expensive if you always clean surfaces with them.
Precautions and Tips for DIY Sofa Cleaning
As you look to save on costs with quick cleaning tasks around the home, you want to avoid mistakes that will end up creating more problems down the road.
- Always Test First: Find a hidden section of your sofa, perhaps under a cushion or along the back, and apply a small amount of the solution. Check for any adverse reactions such as color bleeding or fabric damage. This step is especially important for sofas without cleaning code tags that point out what would be the most ideal solution.
- Manage Moisture: Excessive moisture can seep deep into the cushions, potentially causing mold or mildew, and damaging the fabric. Sofas typically have a wooden frame inside. Overwetting can cause this wood to swell, warp, or even rot if the moisture persists. Then of course are the risks of mould and mildew getting a footing. Ensure that you have taken measures to extract as much moisture as possible from the sofa, then allow it to air dry. However, don’t go pointing your hair dryer at the upholstery. That will do more harm than good.
- Protect Surrounding Areas: These include wooden floors or metal components of the sofa. Solvents can discolor or damage the materials, so lay down a tarp or old towels to catch drips. Similarly, ensure the room is well-ventilated, especially when using stronger solvents to avoid inhaling fumes.
- Rinse out Residue: Residues, especially from soaps and detergents, are sticky. If you fail to thoroughly rinse them out from the sofa’s fabric, they leave a tacky layer on the surface. This sticky residue can then trap dirt, dust, and other particles from the environment more readily than a clean, residue-free fabric would. Over time, causes the sofa to look dirtier – and increase the frequency in which deeper cleaning is required.
Eventually, a deeper cleaning will be required. This is where you call up a professional sofa cleaning service near you, and have them give your furniture a thorough wash. How often this is needed will depend on how dirty the upholstery gets. A home with kids and pets will definitely need more rounds of scheduled deep cleans compared to a bachelor pad – unless the latter is also throwing parties every other weekend. When looking for a company to handle the task, ask them about the particular processes they use for the cleaning, and how their schedule will work for you.
Several factors can influence the cost of sofa cleaning. First is the type of sofa. For instance leather sofas typically cost more to clean than fabric sofas due to the special treatments and products required. Similarly, sofas with delicate materials like suede or velvet might need specialized cleaning methods that can increase the price. Size comes in as well, since larger sofas or sectional pieces naturally cost more to clean than smaller ones because they require more time, effort, and cleaning material.
What’s the condition of the unit? Heavily soiled or stained sets may need more intensive cleaning or special stain-removal treatments, which can add to the cleaning costs. Location matters as well, since they influence labor costs and the availability of professional cleaning services. Prices in large metropolitan areas are typically higher than in smaller towns. If the cleaning service has to travel outside their standard service area to reach your location, they may charge a travel fee. Some cleaning services might also include additional protective treatments like stain guard or deodorizing treatments, which can increase the overall cost. Get a detailed quotation written before they start the work on your property.
Household Items You Should NOT Use
- Bleach
It’s effective for cleaning toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and ceramic tiles. It helps remove mold, mildew, and soap scum, and disinfects surfaces where germs commonly accumulate. You can even use a diluted solution of it on non-porous materials like sealed granite and stainless steel, like after preparing raw meat or other food that may harbor bacteria. Tile, concrete, and linoleum floors? No problem. Even for your laundry, to whiten whites. But bleach will wreak havoc on upholstered furniture. It causes patches of color loss, changing the entire look of your fabric. More fragile materials like silk or wool are particularly at risk, as bleach can weaken fibers, making them prone to tearing. Moreover, fumes from bleach put your health at risk, especially in less ventilated areas.
While ammonia is a powerhouse for cutting through kitchen grease, shining glass, and tackling burnt residues, it’s not suitable for your sofas. This chemical can fade and discolor your upholstery, especially vivid or dark fabrics, leaving them patchy and worn. It’s harsh on the fibers of your furniture, and can significantly reduce their lifespan. Ammonia also releases strong fumes that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, leading to discomfort or even health hazards in tight spaces. Remember, combining ammonia with bleach or certain cleaners can create dangerous gasses, posing serious risks to health and the environment.
- Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)
Nail polish remover, often containing acetone, is a potent solvent. It’s handy for removing super glue, adhesive residues from glass and ceramics, and even ink stains. However, it’s a risky choice for cleaning upholstery. Acetone can dissolve certain fabrics and strip dye, much like bleach, resulting in permanent stains. When dealing with your sofa, it’s best to choose cleaning agents that are gentle and designed specifically for upholstery to avoid any irreversible damage.