Use caution with a steam cleaner. If you cannot find something suitable in your area, an online retailer might be the way to go. Rub the stain gently in an X-shaped pattern for best results. Channel your inner Martha Stewart and make your couch look and smell like it never happened. What Do I Do? Apply the dry-cleaner to a clean rag. The best tested cleaners and stain removers for fabric and leather upholstery. Hi Everyone! The first thing you need to do if you need to clean your couch cushions is thoroughly vacuum the entire couch to remove crumbs, lint and dust. This article has been viewed 309,999 times. Additionally, some fabrics should be handled or cleaned in a particular way for best results, and some might even need to be dried a particular way. It’s hard to photograph the fabric for this project, but you can tell how much “perkier” the cushions are in the photo above. See, I told you this was easy! Remove all throw pillows and cushions from the sofa. Know the Code Before You Clean . Don’t forget to clean between the cushions of the furniture, if there are any. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are many different ways to clean this. – Sarah’s Victorian Across the Pond, Reader OMG! Vacuum the baking soda to remove it, and odors should be gone as well. Now you know exactly how to clean couch cushions. Allow the baking soda to set for 30 minutes or so, and vacuum the cushions again. If not, you may be able to clean it with the same process as above, using extra caution to ensure the entire piece of foam is dry as well. Occasionally spray the couch … If you lack a vacuum cleaner, unzip the cushion cover, take it outside, and shake it thoroughly. If you finally identified the material then you are ready for the cleaning of your sofa cushions. Then I thought hmmm….maybe if I try it and they rip to shreds we wouldn’t have any choice but to buy new ones. Dampen a microfiber cloth with your cleaning solution. A couch takes a lot of abuse, especially in homes where children and pets reside. Different fabrics and materials require different cleaning agents. Keep flipping the sofa foam and cushions from both sides regularly because of this your sofa and cushions look clean and neat. Sunbrella, a major manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, recommends these steps to remove a stain: 1. Furniture can quickly pick up surface dirt, pet hair and assorted food spills that make the couch cushions look dingy and smell less … Here is how to clean vomit from couch cushions: Use a spoon or spatula to remove as much as possible from the vomit. How to Clean a Couch Without Professional Cleaning. How I Clean Our Couch. At The Foam Shop, every cushion cover comes with zippered access to the foam inside, providing an advantage when it comes … Beginning in 1969, furniture manufacturers began adding a tag to help you determine the best and safest way to clean upholstery. If your couch cushions can be removed, don’t forget to vacuum the undersides. When cleaning with a spray bottle, avoid over saturating the area so as not to deposit excess moisture within the couch cushions. If your furniture lacks a cleaning code, which is often the case with vintage and antique pieces that have been modified over the years, do a simple spot test on a hidden piece of upholstery. Change the Couch and Cushions Side Regularly. Then I take the pillowcases and wash them in our washing machine using regular laundry detergent. We sit on it to watch TV, Matt lies on it to take naps, and sometimes we bring our plates over and eat dinner on it. In the bucket, mix about 2 cups of distilled water with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. I hope your holidays went great :) ! Always vacuum your couch to remove loose dirt and debris before using a steam cleaner. Use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any debris and dirt from the surface. Fill a bathtub with soap and warm water so you can submerge the cushion. Before you get excited, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the steamer to see whether it’s OK to use it on your couch fabric. These solutions tend to be very strong, so remember that a little goes a long way. Today we are diving into the details on how I clean couch cushions. Microfiber couches are resilient and stain resistant, but once dirt does accumulate, it can be … Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? I like to test water, vodka and vinegar because they’re always my first choices for cleaning, before getting into the more heavy-hitting chemical stuff. It’s really the only place in our house where we can kick back and relax. read the code on my cushion label that said no water. With our great tips, you’ll be able to make your couch look and feel brand new. Step 3: Clean the Cushions. You can clean the washable cushions with the help of a sponge dipped in soapy solution. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Make use of these for best results. Like I mentioned, drying my pillowcases shrinks them a tiny bit. If I hadn't seen the abbreviation code never would have known. Clean with baking soda. Some cushions have foam cores with down cushions that are on top. Pre-Cleaning the Sofa Vacuum up large particles. If it has soaked into the foam there is nothing you can do, other than replacing the cushion. It's important to have your cushion covers zipped to ensure the cushions don't get tangled or damaged. I’m Casey, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Recliners tend to collect dirt in the crevice where the bottom reclines. Hang or line dry your cushion covers and avoid a machine dryer. Vacuum the couch again after the cushions and upholstery have completely dried. Don’t panic just yet. As a bonus, you’ll get a little peek at … For spots that have set so long they've stained the couch, a little more work i… Find the tag on the couch and read the instructions … Clean with baking soda. My Dog Peed on the Couch! How to Clean Patio Furniture. To clean sofa cushions made of vinyl, use water and a small amount of laundry detergent to remove dirt and grime that accumulates from everyday use. To routinely clean a couch and keep it looking good, vacuum the surfaces of the seat cushions, arms, and back regularly with an upholstery attachment. Washing Couch Cushions Correctly Precleaning. These top-tested upholstery cleaners are great for carpets, cars, sofas, couches, and more. How to remove pee and urine from a couch. Sprinkle the entire sofa and all cushions with baking soda. Then, rub the stain in a circle. Scrub lightly with a gentle brush. Pre-clean your sofa cushions with a vacuum cleaner. Here we will show you the many different solutions to remove the stains, accidents and spills from that stubborn couch. Above, you will notice the nice wet pee spot on the couch cushion. We had a blast with the family :D ! If the down portion is removable, it can be cleaned using the same process as the pillows. S: Clean with water-free products, for example, dry cleaning solvent. If this will work for your specific couch I highly recommend looking into this trick because the process is super easy and really does make a difference, even if it’s hard to capture in these photos. Treat cushions (and the whole couch) with a commercial spray-on fabric protector to defend against dust and dirt. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 309,999 times. Be sure you rise it thoroughly and then set it … There are some microfiber cushions which are washable and others are nonwashable. Cat pee can be a bit hard to clean out of fabrics like upholstery, and if the cat urine in the couch cushions has soaked through to the stuffing, it can cause lingering odors. Brush the couch – Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris. Couches come in lots of shapes and materials, with some even having removable and washable cushions. If the cover isn't removable but the couch is valuable, you will need a professional to clean it. We all love being couch potatoes but it’s no fun to lounge on a dirty sofa. Only skim the surface of the cushion upholstery, do not rub the liquid into the fabric. The best way to wash couch cushion covers is on a cold, delicate cycle with a dye free detergent or pod. You may want to consider mixing the baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for an even deeper clean. Method #1 = Take the couch cushions outside in the sun, spray the stained and soiled areas with a good quality proven enzyme cleaner. Avoid snags and pulled threads by zipping up the cushion covers before washing them. How to clean outdoor cushions. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/basics/guide-to-upholstery-fabrics/, http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-wash-furniture-fabrics.html, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-read-upholstery-cleanin-57653, http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25158/vacuum-attachments-explained/, http://www.networx.com/article/cleaning-do-you-know-your-vacuum-cleane, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5607&context=extensionhist, https://www.duralee.com/Fabric-CareCleaning.htm, http://www.topcleaningsecrets.com/house/how-to-clean-a-leather-sofa-at-home.html, http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/decorating/tips-for-cleaning-leather-upholstery, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-cleaning-solution-microfiber-sofas-28299.html, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/green-clean-upholstery-cleanin-117658, https://www.hermanmiller.com/content/dam/hermanmiller/documents/materials/reference_info/Care_Textiles.pdf, http://www.stain-removal-101.com/dry-cleaning-solvent.html, http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-code-s-upholstery/, http://www.decor-rest.com/manufacturing/fabric-care, http://www.stain-removal-101.com/upholstery-dry-cleaning.html, http://cleaning.tips.net/T005426_Cleaning_Your_Couch_Cushions.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 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