Couches come in a variety of materials, from cotton upholstery to leather. Many of these materials are difficult to clean with normal household cleansers, which often leave spots or marks behind. Professional cleaners often charge fees for couch cleaning that may not be budget friendly. Thankfully, with the use of dry cleaning solutions and other cleansers, you can clean your couch without the help of a professional cleaning company. Locate the fabric tag on your couch to determine what material it is made of. Most couch manufacturers use letter codes to indicate how to clean the furniture. A "W" means that you can clean your couch with a water-based detergent. An "S" indicates that it needs to be dry cleaned or cleaned with a water-free detergent. "WS" means that it can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner or dry cleaned. "X" indicates that it should be cleaned only by vacuuming or hiring a professional to dry clean it. "O" indicates that it is organic material made from natural fibers and should be washed in cold water Purchase the correct type of cleaner for your couch, such as leather cleaner and conditioner, upholstery dry cleaner solution, or water-based upholstery detergent.

Brush off any caked-on dirt from your couch with a bristle brush. Take note of the areas on the couch that are the dirtiest, such as the headrest or armrests, as they might require more attention. Remove surface debris, such as dust, pet hair, dirt and food crumbs, from the couch with a vacuum and an upholstery brush attachment. Take off the cushions and thoroughly vacuum the seat and remove crumbs or dirt from the corners of the couch. Have a helper assist you with turning the couch over. cost air duct cleaningVacuum the bottom of the couch to remove any dirt. best dryer vent cleaning tool"W" or "WS" Upholstery Add 3 ounces of carpet/upholstery detergent and water to the clean solution tank of the steam vacuum. air duct cleaning company los angeles

Spot test by dipping a cloth into the solution and rubbing it on the couch in a small, out-of-the-way area that is not easily seen. Check the spot after 10 minutes and press paper towel onto it to check for the dye of the fabric coming off onto the paper towel, which is called color bleeding. If the colors do not bleed or the fabric itself does not change color, it is safe to clean it with the steam vacuum. Attach the stair/upholstery nozzle, hose and solution tube to the recovery tank of the steam vacuum according to the steam vacuum's instructions. best pet hair vacuum cleaners ukTurn on the steam vacuum. best vacuum cleaners for pet hair and hardwood floorsPush the nozzle against the upholstery fabric and pull the solution trigger. best leather cleaner singapore

Hold the trigger and slowly move the nozzle over the fabric toward you. Overlap the passes you make with the nozzle over the fabric, as this will prevent streaking in the couch fabric. Run the nozzle over the fabric without pressing the trigger to remove the wet detergent solution from the fabric. Hold the nozzle 1/2 inch above the upholstery at a corner of the couch. Pull the solution trigger to apply it and vacuum it up with the nozzle. Clean extremely dirty areas by criss-crossing the nozzle strokes over the fabric in a basket-weaving pattern. Make no more than two passes per area of the fabric to prevent color fading. Open the windows near your couch and place a small box fan in a window and turn it on to ventilate the area. Spot test the dry cleaning solvent to ensure that it won't bleach or discolor the fabric by spraying it on a small out of the way area on the couch that isn't readily noticeable. Spread the dry cleaning solvent out in an even layer on the couch with a wet sponge.

Wait one hour for the cleaner to dry and vacuum it up. If the color does not change, it is safe to use on the rest of the couch. Apply the dry cleaning solvent to a white cloth and blot or touch the solvent to the upholstery on the couch with the cloth. Continue blotting to remove dirt and stains. Wet a clean cloth and press it onto the fabric to remove the dry cleaning solvent. Add 1/4 teaspoon of leather cleaner to 1 quart distilled water and mix well to form suds. Wet a cleaning cloth with the soapy water and wring it out. Wipe down the leather couch in small sections with the wet cleaning cloth. Dip another cleaning cloth into the distilled water--not the leather cleaner and distilled water solution--and wipe down the area you just cleaned to remove the soap. Continue to wash the leather couch in small sections with the soapy cleaning cloth and the cleaning cloth to ensure that you remove the soap from the leather as you work. Dry the wet areas with a clean, dry cloth. Place a dime-size dab of leather protector and conditioner on a cleaning cloth and rub it onto a small section of the leather couch.

Add the leather protector and conditioner to the rest of the leather couch in the same manner. This will keep the leather supple and soft to the touch. Things You Will Need Bristle brush Vacuum with upholstery brush attachment Helper Steam vacuum with stair/upholstery nozzle Carpet/upholstery detergent for steam vacuum 4 cleaning cloths Paper towel Small box fan Dry cleaning solvent Leather cleaner Distilled water Warning References Stain Removal 101: Dry Cleaning Solvent Uses For Stain RemovalHoover: Hoover SteamVacDan's Upholstery: AftercareCrate and Barrel: Upholstery: Care and Glossary Photo Credits Adrián González de la Peña/Demand Media Suggest a CorrectionEdit ArticleHow to Clean a Couch Three Methods:Prepare for CleaningCleaning Your Couch with a Water-Based DetergentCleaning Your Couch Without WaterCommunity Q&A A person's couch is a basic of essential comfort. Whether you just came back from work or are hosting a party with many guests, it is always nice to relax on a clean couch.

To keep your sofa sparkling, follow these basic cleaning techniques. Determine the type of fabric your couch is made out of. Sofas can be made of anything from cotton to leather, and knowing exactly what fabric you’re working with is important for knowing how to clean it. Check the tag on the bottom of your sofa to determine the type of cloth. The tag should give a label of “W,” “S,” “WS,” “X,” or “O.” A tag with the letter “W” or “WS” means that your couch is washable with a water-based soap. A tag with the letter “S” means that it needs to be dry cleaned or cleaned with a non-water based detergent. If your tag says “X,” it implies that the fabric should only be vacuumed or dry-cleaned by a professional. A tag with the letter “O” means that the cloth is organic and needs to be washed using cold water. Procure the necessary cleaning supplies. This will differ depending on the type of fabric, but should consist of a detergent of some sort, a brush or sponge for scrubbing, a rag, and a vacuum cleaner.

Wash any wood or metal on the couch. If the legs, base, or armrest of your couch have any wood or metal on them, wipe them down with soap and water to clean off any dust or grime. Additionally, you can choose to use a wood or metal polish to enhance the shine of these parts. Remove all cushions and pillows. Some cushions and pillows have removable covers which you can simply put in the washing machine. They must be set aside though so that the full couch can be washed. Vacuum the entire couch. If your vacuum is equipped, at the upholstery attachment for the best results. It is important to remove as much dirt, hair, dust, and crumbs as possible before you start scrubbing it. Depending on the fabric, this may be the last step you are able to perform without a professional.Combine one cup of warm water with ¼ cup of dish soap. Whisk them together rapidly to create bubbles in the soap.Completely immerse a sponge or soft brush into your soap, and begin scrubbing the couch in gentle circular motions.

Start at the top and work your way down. Wipe off any excess soap or bubbles. Use a dry rag to remove any suds still remaining on the couch. If left to dry, they will leave an unappealing dark spot. Use clean rags in cool water to rinse the couch. You want to remove as much of the detergent as possible. A second wipe-down with the wet rag will also help to pick up any remaining dirt on the couch.The couch needs to dry completely before use again. You can set up fans and open windows to expedite this process. Replace cushions and pillows. After the fabric has dried on the pillows and cushions, replace them in their original settings on the couch. Fill a spray-bottle with rubbing alcohol. Because of the quick evaporation time, rubbing alcohol will not leave a mark on fabrics like polyester and microfiber like water does. It will have a scent while you are cleaning, but will leave no scent after the task has been completed. Mist your couch in small sections with the rubbing alcohol.

Use a sponge to scrub these areas, lifting dirt from the upholstery. Don’t spray large sections at a time, as you don’t won’t have time to scrub it all before the alcohol evaporates. Take a soft brush and rub down the whole couch. Move the brush in small circular motions to return the fabric back to its previous state. Replace all pillows and cushions. Your clean couch is now ready to be sat in again! Repeat scrubbing if needed, however, not more than twice. If you would prefer not to use dish soap or rubbing alcohol, there are water and non-water based upholstery cleaners for sale in most super markets. If you happen to spill oil or grease on your couch, don't fear! Sprinkle some corn starch or baking powder over the grease spot and let it sit overnight. Vacuum clean the next day. If odors are starting to bother you, sprinkle baking soda on the couch and leave it there overnight. In the morning, vacuum your couch, and enjoy the fresher smell! When possible, avoid eating or drinking on your couch in order to keep it in the best condition.