To quickly clean the sofa, all you need is a saucepan lid

The upholstery of sofas and armchairs require periodic cleaning which should never be put off for too long: it doesn't take long for upholstery to become impregnated with unpleasant smells and, often, a few stains. So,  cleaning sofas and armchairs is a question not only of aesthetics but also one of hygiene.

However, these are generally quite large surfaces to clean, and it is useful to have the right appliance to do so: some vacuum cleaners have special accessories to clean the upholstery. But what if you don't have the right appliance? What can you do? Using small brushes to do this job is tiring and time-consuming.

But an unexpected item can come to your aid: a saucepan lid.

via @home_motivationn/TikTok

@home_motivationn/TikTok

This is a method that is often used on carpets and is also useful for cleaning sofas and armchairs, as we can see in a video from the @home_motivationn account posted to TikTok.

You will need:

• A metal lid from a cooking pot or saucepan;
• A microfiber cloth large enough to wrap around the entire lid;
• A basin;
• Hot water and/or soap.

As for the soap, opt for a product suitable for the upholstery of your sofa or armchair. In some cases, Marseille soap is sufficient, but you may have your favorite products and these will be fine too. The woman in the video says dishwasher tablets or cream washing products can be used effectively.

Proceed as follows:

1. If you use a soap like Marseille soap (or others that dissolve in water), boil some water and then put it in the basin and then add the soap to dissolve it.
2. Dip the cloth in the solution (if the water is still too hot, use gloves or wait for it to cool down a bit).
3. Wring out the cloth and place it down, flat.
4. Place the lid on top of the cloth and then wrap the cloth around it, tying it closed with a knot around the knob or handle.
5. Firmly holding the knot and the knob/handle of the lid, rub vigorously over the entire surface of the sofa, using regular movements.
6. If you then need to rinse the sofa a little, repeat the operation using another cloth - simply wet it with hot water.

If instead you use a product directly on the sofa (like a foam cleaner), spray it directly on the cloth and proceed as in steps 4,5 and 6.

You can see how this method works in this video.

Using the lid makes rubbing the cloth much more effective, which does not slip and actually acts on a larger area in a decidedly more comfortable way. This method is suitable for routine cleaning, and it definitely saves time and effort!