4 useful tips to clean sofa cushions perfectly

The sofa is one of the most used pieces of furniture in our homes. Indeed, it is the place where we receive guests, work and even eat our meals while sitting on it. In short, our sofa risks becoming one of the dirtiest spots in the house if we don't pay attention.

Not all sofas are the same and for this reason, the steps to follow for cleaning them differ according to type. The important thing, is to regularly clean away dust, hair, animal fur or any stains from the sofa as quickly and efficiently as possible.

1. Vacuuming

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First of all, it is necessary to vacuum the cushions regularly, at least once a week, and more frequently when small children or pets also live in the home. Use an upholstery brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner to remove dust, lint, hair and crumbs. If the cushions are detactable, turn them over and vacuum the other sides as well. During this step, take note of any stains that you must deal with later.

2. Treating stains

We remind you that it is always best to treat fresh stains immediately, because after drying out, they will be more difficult to remove. Even if the stains are dry, however, you can remove them in just a few steps. Make a mixture of dish or laundry detergent and water, put it in a bottle and shake it to form a foam. At this point, wet a clean cloth in the foam and pass it over the stain, rubbing in the direction of the fibres. Rinse the cloth out and remove any foam residue from the sofa.

If you are looking for a natural remedy, however, prepare a sanitizing and stain-removing solution by pouring the juice of a lemon and 2 tablespoons of baking soda into 2 liters of warm water. This solution can also be applied to the sofa, using the same procedure as described above.

The next steps differ, depending on the type of cushions: with removable or non-removable covers.

3. Detachable cushions

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If the detactable cushions have removable covers, remove these and wash them separately. At this point, fill a tub about 1/3 full and add 2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent, mixing well. Completely immerse the cushions in the water and agitate them vigorously. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes before repeating the agitation operation a second time. Then rinse out, squeezing the cushions well and immersing them in clean water, making sure to get all the soap out and repeating the operation if necessary. Squeeze the cushions gently to expel the water, then wrap them in dry towels and squeeze them again. Let them air dry before putting their covers back on.

4. Non-detactable cushions

If the cushions are not removable, the best solution is to use an upholstery cleaning machine, which forces a cleaning solution into the fabrics and then vacuums it out, thereby removing any dirt. After vacuuming as normal to remove dust, crumbs and hair, carry out a compatibility test by passing the upholstery cleaning machine over a small, inconspicuous part of the sofa.

When you are certain that the machine will not damage your sofa, proceed with the cleaning, working in sections. If necessary, repeat the operation several times, bearing in mind that the sofa is clean when the water extracted is clear. Let the cushions dry completely before using the sofa again; if you want to speed up the drying time, you can plug in a dehumidifier or a fan nearby.