How To Clean A Used Sofa? A Step-by Step Learning Guide

We’ll walk you through the process of cleaning a secondhand sofa in three easy steps. If you’ve recently purchased an old sofa or are looking to restore an ancient piece of furniture, this lesson is for you. In this section, we’ll discuss how to sterilize your couch using sunshine, baking soda, and enzyme cleaners.

We also recommend that you check out this tutorial on how to properly clean a sofa. After completing these three processes, you can go back and clean the used furniture a little more thoroughly.

How Do You Clean A Used Couch?

Step 1. Bring the used sofa outside

To determine whether or not a used sofa need repairs, cleaning, or new parts, conduct a thorough inspection after you buy it. Before bringing it inside, let it sit outside for at least a day to let it air out. There is no need to worry about removing bedbugs off your couch with this method.

Your couch will be organically disinfected by the UV rays and heat outside, killing any bugs and bacteria that may linger. If there is any moisture left in the sofa from the cleaning process, letting it air dry will help prevent mold growth. Because of this, you should dismantle your sofa and lay out its cushions and other parts so that they are all exposed to the UV rays at the same time.

Step 2. Deodorize the sofa with baking soda

Baking soda can be used to freshen up an old sofa after it has been exposed to the elements outside. Baked soda can be sprinkled all over the couch, especially in the corners and crevices. The powder should be allowed to settle for many hours or overnight after working on the cushions one side at a time.

As well as deodorizing the sofa, the baking soda will absorb any remaining moisture. Vacuum the powder off, and then use this as an opportunity to release the debris and dust buildup before doing a thorough cleaning. Inquire with your furniture store about the best cleaning products for your sofa.

Step 3. Deep clean the couch

A small area of the sofa should be cleaned before applying the cleaner to avoid hurting the rest of the furniture. Wipe the sofa down as completely as possible, but avoid getting it too wet. Finally, wipe the couch down with a dry towel to eliminate any remaining cleaning residue.

Air-dry the furniture and wash the removable cushions separately for deep cleaning if it has them.

What Can I Use To Deep Clean Thrifted Furniture?

You may clean thrifted furniture with a mixture of dish soap, white vinegar, and warm water. Stains and odors can be effectively removed using this solution. You only need to use a soft-bristled brush to push the solution into the upholstery before blotting and cleaning the affected areas with a moist cloth.

Don’t forget to check the materials before purchasing used furniture from a thrift store. An antique couch, for example, may benefit from cleaning by a professional to maintain its pristine condition. The sofa should be taken to a specialist if you’re unclear of the products you can use.

Can I Spray Rubbing Alcohol On My Couch To Disinfect?

A good disinfectant, especially for previously used things, is rubbing alcohol. On the other hand, you must first see if it stains the sofa, as some materials can do so. Using rubbing alcohol, spritz the sofa all over to ensure that there is no reaction.

There is no need to saturate the couch; only enough water should be applied to completely cover it. There are a variety of disinfectant sprays on the market. As long as you don’t oversaturate the couch, they should be fine, but always test a tiny area first.

Can You Steam Clean A Couch?

Knowing how to steam clean a sofa will come in handy when it comes to cleaning a thrifted item. Steam can kill germs and remove stains from a sofa because of its high temperature. However, not all couches can be cleaned with steam, so be mindful of the cleaning code X, which is only suitable for vacuum cleaning.

Is It Okay To Buy A Used Couch?

A secondhand sofa can save you some money, and you never know, you might end up with a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture. An in-depth examination, on the other hand, is required to be sure you’re obtaining anything good for your money. If it’s going to be reused, it needs to be clean and in good condition.

Cushions that have decomposed or frames that have been damaged should be taken into consideration. In certain cases, repairing an old sofa may be more expensive than purchasing a new one. To get the best deal, you’ll need to know when the optimal time is to buy a sofa.

Factors that determine the sofa cleaning prices

If you’re like most people, you’re curious as to why professional sofa cleaning costs vary so widely from company to company. The reason for this discrepancy is that each company’s approach to pricing estimation differs. The following are the primary determinants of sofa cleaning costs:

• The amount and type of pieces of furniture. Upholstery cleaning costs vary depending on the number of seats, whether it is a two- or three-seater armchair or a four-seater L-shaped sofa.
• Scheduling. Booking a sofa cleaning on a bank holiday may cost a little more than if you were to do so during regular business hours.
• Applying a stain-resistant coating. For an extra fee, your sofa can have a stain-resistant coating put to its surface. Spray-on stain guards like Scotchgard prevent stains from penetrating the cloth.
• Fabric kind and cleaning procedure. The cost of cleaning will differ depending on the sofa cleaning method suitable for your furniture.
• Additional fees for additional services. For example, you might book an upholstery cleaning with a service such as cleaning the carpets in your home or even treating your home for bed bugs.

Types of sofa cleaning methods

The cleaning professional will choose the best approach and equipment for your upholstered furniture based on the type of fabric it is made of, to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned while also being safeguarded from further harm.

Hot water extraction

Cleaning a synthetic or wool sofa requires hot water extraction, which forces water under pressure right into the fibers, dislodging any soiling and filth that may be embedded there. At the same time, a powerful vacuum removes 95 percent of the water from the surface.

Dry sofa cleaning

However, dry sofa cleaning is the ideal option if your sofa is constructed of fragile or water resistant textiles. The following are the steps of a professional dry chemical cleaning:

• Examining the upholstered sofa to see what kind of fabric it is covered with. Different cleaning products will be utilized depending on the type of fabric.
• Prior to dry cleaning, any stains or dirt spots will be pre-treated by the specialist.
• In order to go deep into the fabric, a powerful solvent is applied under high pressure with a specific machine.
• Afterward, the solvent and all of the dissolved dirt are sucked back into the machine.

Dry foam cleaning

The most fragile fabrics, such as those that aren’t water resistant, are cleaned with dry foam.

• After vacuuming the upholstery thoroughly, a conditioning spray is used to remove any remaining dirt.
• In order to keep the surface dry, the foam is applied using a particular equipment.
• The foam will harden in about 10 minutes, and a vigorous vacuum will remove it;
• Using the furniture will be ready in an hour after drying.

Leather sofa cleaning

Leather, when properly cared for, may outlive most other upholstery materials. If you’re not an expert, you should leave the leather cleaning to the specialists. To clean a leather sofa, follow these steps:

• Examination of the leather’s condition and evaluation of the cleaning solution
• Foam leather cleaner is used to clean the upholstery.
• Brushing the filth away using an old toothbrush and a piece of cotton towel.
• Protect the leather from future stains by applying a leather rejuvenation treatment.

What is the average professional sofa cleaning cost in London and the UK?

The average sofa cleaning price ranges from £23 to $120, depending on the style and size of the sofa, the fabric it’s composed of, the cleaning method employed, and other considerations. The Fantastic Cleaners’ upholstery cleaning price list is as follows: :

Price information for our cleaning services is available on our pricing page. Visit our upholstery cleaning service website for more information about our cleaning services. You can save a lot of money if you bundle your furniture cleaning with any other service.

Is professional upholstery cleaning worth the cost?

The concept of saving a few dollars by cleaning stains yourself is a common one, but in most cases, the end result is a sofa that can’t be cleaned even with expert equipment.

Trying to figure out the best approach to care for today’s upholstery can be a challenge because of the wide range of natural and synthetic materials utilized. The expert would also know what detergents to use, how to apply them, and how to operate the cleaning machines, making professional upholstery cleaners the safer, better choice.

When trying to clean stains at home, you run the risk of:

• Unaware of the type of cloth used to cover your upholstered furniture;
• use the incorrect cleaning agent and technique;
• Not having the necessary tools and equipment;
• Not knowing the proper way to deal with each type of stain;
• All of the aforementioned can have unfavorable outcomes.

To avoid any of this, hire a professional upholstery cleaning service with Fantastic Cleaners, and the specialist will take care of everything while you focus on more important chores.

Please check out the Gutter Cleaning Cost Guide if you’d like to obtain an idea of how much it will cost you to maintain the appearance of your home’s exterior.

How To Maintain Your Upholsteries

Fluff Up Your Cushions

Because they are constructed of a supple material, your cushions will be sat on, jumped on (if you have hyperactive children), and eventually flattened. When the material loses its shape, so does the upholstery.

So slap, prod, and light-punch them regularly to keep their natural shape and keep them comfortable for years to come. In just a few minutes, you’ll get a lot of value from it.

Your upholstery will last longer if you keep your cushions in their original shape, which protects the seams from being strained by odd shapes and twists.

To fluff a cushion, you should fluff it more for the softer ones and less for the stiffer ones.

Avoid Direct Sunlight on Your Upholstered Sofas and Chairs

Keep in mind that extended exposure to direct sunlight will deteriorate your upholstery, whether it is made of expensive textiles, leather or leatherette. In sunshine, UV rays degrade the condition and life expectancy of your furniture.

It’s okay to let the sun shine on your favorite upholstered furniture every now and then, as long as you keep the blinds drawn or move them out of direct sunlight.

Flip Your Upholstery Cushions Over

Flipping your upholstered cushions (seat and back cushions) on a regular basis depends on how often they are used. Even wear and tear is more equally distributed throughout the surface of your upholstery, and your cushions will retain their form for longer.

On three-seat upholstered sofas, pay special attention to the cushions in the middle. People tend to avoid sitting in the middle of the plane because they prefer to sit on the side with the armrests. Even wear, cushion form preservation, and upholstery protection for the two side seats can all be ensured by frequently switching out the middle cushions with those on each side.

Invest in Stain Protection Products for Your Upholstery

Stain guards that are most suited to your upholstery should be discussed with your furniture dealer or professional upholstery cleaner. As a protective barrier between your upholstery and any substances that can stain it, professionally applied stain prevention makes it easier to clean. UV rays from the sun might also cause damage if you use stain protection like these.

Vacuum Clean Your Upholstered Sofas and Chairs Regularly

When it comes to upholstery, the longer you go without vacuuming it, the more damage it will do. Everything in your house, including your upholstery, accumulates dust. Every time you sit down, the weight of your body pushes the dust deeper into your sofas and chairs. Without regular cleaning, dust works as an abrasive, causing microscopic cuts and scrapes in your upholstery, resulting in accelerated wear and tear.

Make it a point to clean your upholstered sofas and chairs with the vacuum every time you do your normal house cleaning.

Keep the Tags Attached to Your Upholstered Furniture

A tag is usually applied to the upholstery of newly purchased or recently reupholstered furniture. If you ever need to re-upholster or clean your upholstered furniture, this tag will provide you the style, the fabric numbers, the delivery date, the body, and the cushion content you need. For future reference, keep it in a safe place where you can find it easily.

Hire a Professional Upholstery Cleaner to Deep Clean Your Upholstered Sofas and Chairs Once a Year

In contrast to the superficial cleaning that may be accomplished with regular vacuuming, hiring expert upholstery cleaners once a year guarantees thorough cleaning of your upholstered furniture. In some cases, professional cleaning is the only way to remove stubborn stains from your furniture.

In order to leave your upholstered furniture smelling better, appearing more vivid, and being cleaner all over, the best upholstery cleaners use hot water extraction and specialized antimicrobial cleaning solutions.

Avoid waiting for your upholstered furniture to become noticeably unclean before contacting a professional cleaning service. Deep cleaning your upholstered furniture once a year restores both its visual appeal and its comfort. It also extends the life of your upholstery, which is a critical function.

FAQs

Q: How often should a sofa be cleaned?

Dirt, sweat, food stains, and dust all contribute to the buildup of stains on your couch and other upholstered furniture. Cleaning your sofa properly every six to twelve months is especially important if you have children or dogs who like to play on it.

Q: What type of fabrics is the hot water extraction suitable for?

Wool, cotton, and other natural fibers, as well as polyester and other synthetic and blended fibers, are ideal for hot water extraction. Using high-pressure, a specific liquid is sprayed into the fibers of the fabric. Sofas with delicate or water-resistant textiles should not be cleaned with this technique. Get in touch with our customer service team to find out how best to clean your furniture’s upholstery.

Q: How is sofa cleaning done by Fantastic Cleaners?

After arriving at your location, the cleaners will check the fabric of your furniture and determine which detergent is best suited for the task at hand. There are a multitude of detergents available for the most prevalent sorts of stains. The expert will use a specialized cleaning machine to clean your upholstered furniture after the stain treatment has been completed. After a few hours of drying, you’ll be able to use your newly cleaned furniture.

Q: Are there any stains that cannot be cleaned?

Stains that have penetrated too deeply into the fabric or have been neglected for an extended period of time will be difficult to remove, and the fabric may become damaged in the process. Most stains are treatable. It is nearly impossible to remove stains such as blood and water stains. To learn more about how we can help, give Fantastic Cleaners a call and let us know what kind of fabric your sofa is made of and what kind of stain you’re trying to remove.

Conclusion

Did you find a great couch at a second-hand shop? Remember our advice on how to clean a used sofa so that it’s ready for your living room when you buy it. As a recap, you’ll take the couch outside to enable it to breathe and be disinfected by the UV rays of the sun.

Clean it thoroughly with the appropriate items after which you may do some light cleaning with baking soda and a vacuum cleaner. It’s done! Your old sofa should be in like-new condition when you buy a new one.