The best way to keep your sofa clean is to keep it under wraps. Impossible, right? With the living room being a hub of activity at almost all homes, sofas bear the brunt of excessive usage. From watching television to having a warm family time, the sofa is one piece of furniture which is used the most. Repeated usage makes the sofa gets dirty and dull. Various methods and tricks are tried to keep sofas from getting dirty.

 

Prior to Cleaning

Always do a spot check in an inconspicuous place beforehand. If the color is affected, do not use the cleaning solution.

General Cleaning

Mix warm tap water and a few drops of household dish detergent into a clean bucket or bowl. Stir gently to create bubbles. Use a clean lint-free cloth dipped into the soapy water mixture and rub gently over the surface of the couch. Apply even pressure and work in a circular motion. Remove residue soap by wiping with a clean cloth that has been dipped in plain water and is well wrung-out. Alternatively, use a small drop of laundry detergent in the water instead of dish detergent.

Consider a seasonal or annual steam cleaning of the couch using your home steam-cleaning machine. This will help release embedded dirt and odors and revive the look of the couch.

Cleaning fabric upholstery

Upholstery fabric is usually color-fast and can be washed with detergent. Organic solvents, however, should be tested on an inconspicuous spot before use.

Cleaning the sofa with baking soda is gentle and effective on delicate fabric. Cleaning the sofa with vinegar and warm water with a spoon of liquid detergent is a general cleanser for stubborn stains.

It is perhaps most challenging to remove oil stains from sofas. For food spills, scrape away as much particulate matter as possible and blot the oil stain with a tissue. To remove completely, sprinkle borax powder to absorb the grease. Brush off when completely soaked and repeat till the oil is gone. Lipstick is another greasy stain and can be dealt with with some nail polish remover (acetone) or turpentine diluted in water.

Cleaning Non-Water Safe Microfiber

If the label on your microfiber upholstery clearly states that you cannot use a water-soluble product, you need to clean an entirely different way.
1. Vacuum your microfiber furniture thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, or debris, as you do not want these to get trapped in the fabric once you begin cleaning.
2. Find a gentle dry-detergent. Lightly brush your dry-detergent of choice into the stained or dirty area with a soft bristle brush.
3. Vacuum the microfiber to remove all the dry-detergent.
4. Repeat if necessary.

If this method does not work well enough, you may want to think about calling a professional cleaner.

Maintenance

Vacuuming the couch on a weekly basis will remove general debris, dirt, and dust. Microfiber is a resilient fabric and can handle general vacuuming. It will not pucker or tear from such treatment.
A lint roller used for brushing hair and debris from clothes provides the ideal quick cleanup for the microfiber couch. Roll along seats and armrests to remove pet hair and food crumbs. This will help maintain the look of the couch between more rigorous cleanings.