How To Clean Couch Cushions: Tips To Master The Art of Couch Cleaning

Let’s face it, deep cleaning your couch is not at the top of the list of things that you want to do. However, protecting the fabric and keeping your home smelling amazing helps to provide added comfort when relaxing, which is why sofa cleaning is an essential when hoping to extend the lifespan of your beloved furniture. 

Why is couch cleaning essential?

The benefits of cleaning and maintaining your couch are endless, but here are some common advantages:

• Maintains good hygiene: Sofas accumulate dirt, dust, good crumbs, and pet dander over time, which is why regular cleaning can help to remove these contaminants and promote a healthier living environment. 
• Removes stains: Sofas are prone to stains, especially if you eat or drink while sitting on them. Promptly cleaning these spells helps to prevent them from setting in and becoming challenging to remove later. 
• Extends the lifespan: Regular cleaning and maintenance can extend the lifespan of your sofa and removing it helps to preserve the integrity and appearance. 
• Enhances the appearance: Cleaning your sofa regularly helps maintain its original color and texture, keeping it looking fresh. 
• Odor removal: Cleaning pee off a couch is no easy task. However, since sofas trap odors from spills and pet accidents, a thorough cleaning can help to eliminate these odors. 
• Avoid pest infestations: Dirty and neglected sofas can attract pests like dust mites or insects. Regular cleaning helps prevent infestations and keeps your home pest-free. 

How to clean couch cushions?

Cleaning couch cushions is essential for those wanting a fresh-looking sofa, but how you go about it depends on the type of upholstery. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:

1. First of all, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. This will also keep any dust buildup from getting pulled into the material if it gets wet.
2. Fabric couches with “W” cleaning code upholstery: Spot clean only with a water-free dry-cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. DO NOT USE WATER. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry cleaned. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Overall cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service only is recommended.
3. Fabric couches with “SW” cleaning code upholstery: Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild dry-cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion casings should not be removed and laundered or dry cleaned. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional if overall soiled condition has been reached.
4. Fabric couches with “W” cleaning code upholstery: Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pretest for color loss and fabric compatibility. Do not over-wet. Use professional upholstery cleaning service for overall soiling.
5. Leather couches: Under normal usage conditions, regular dusting and vacuum cleaning in crevices or under cushions is all that is necessary to clean your furniture.
   
   For minor spots and spills: Wipe any excess liquid up immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with distilled water and let air dry naturally. Do not dry with hair dryers.
   
   For stubborn stains: Moisten a soft cloth or sponge with distilled water. Apply gently to all soiled portions of the leather surface. Remove water by wiping with a clean damp cloth. Blot dry with another clean soft cloth, then let air dry naturally. If the stain persists, it is recommended that the leather be cleaned by a professional leather specialist to avoid any potential damage.
   
   For butter, oil or grease: Blot excess butter, oil or grease off the leather with a clean dry cloth. Do not scrub or rub the area — blot only. The spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time. Do not apply water or try to wash a butter, oil or grease spot.
   
   DO NOT USE: Saddle soap, cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps or ammonia water.
   
   Note: These are recommended or suggested methods of cleaning. Always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first to test the results. 

What if your couch cushions can’t be removed? 

Cleaning couch cushions that cannot be removed makes things a bit more challenging. First, vacuum the cushions thoroughly with an upholstery attachment. You can then spot clean the stains according to the instructions above. Be sure to use the blotting technique on the harder stains to avoid rubbing it around. An upholstery cleaning machine is also something to consider for heavily soiled cushions or if you have access to a steam cleaner and upholstery with a “W” cleaning code, you can use it to effectively clean your cushions. 

How to get pee smells and hairs out of the couch? 

Cleaning pee off a couch, whether it’s from a cat or a dog, requires prompt action and the right cleaning approach. 

You can eliminate the smell by: 

• Blotting the fresh urine: If the urine is still wet, immediately blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. 
• Absorb excess moisture: Place layers of paper towels or clean cloths on the affected area and press down firmly to absorb any additional moisture. 
• Prepare a cleaning solution: Mix white vinegar and water for fabric couches with a “W” or “WS” cleaning code. Stick to guidelines above for any other material. 
• Neutralize odor: If using a vinegar solution, you can neutralize the odor further by sprinkling baking soda over the area once dry. Then, let it sit for a few hours or overnight before vacuuming it. 

For stubborn smells, like cat or dog urine, you may need to repeat the cleaning process a second time. Then, consider investing in a couch cover or throw to prevent cleaning couch cushions in the future. 

Getting pet hairs off a couch can be challenging, but with the right tools and techniques, you can effectively remove the hairs. Using a lint roller or pet hair brush can be very effective in removing pet hair, however, If the hair accumulation is too much you may need to vacuum or use a fabric softener sheet/sponge to moisten the material and remove the hair easier. 

How to get heavier stains out of couch cushions

While food, beverage, and pet urine are all stains that can be removed using the appropriate cleaning methods, there are some more challenging stains such as ink, grease, oil, coffee, and blood stains. 

All types of heavier stains require you to act quickly by blotting the stain and using a cleaning solution repeatedly to prevent long-term discoloration and damage. If an ink, grease, oil, coffee, or blood stain persists, consider seeking professional upholstery cleaning services. Especially if you’re dealing with a delicate fabric. 

Where to buy quality and comfortable couches at the best price

Finding quality and comfortable couches at the best prices requires some research and shopping around. While you can subscribe to our mailing list to have good deals on couches come directly to your inbox, here are some other places where you can look:

• In-person at our furniture store in Seattle, WA
• Buy Gus Moderns sofas and American Leather sofas online at Digs
• Asking to purchase a floor model is another great method of getting something that’s of higher quality at a cheaper price 
• Outlet stores are a great way to snag a discount on well-known brands
• Secondhand stores are a great opportunity to find high-quality furniture at great prices

When purchasing a couch, remember to consider size, material, comfort level, and warranty. You can also read customer reviews to help you decide or contact us here at Digs to inquire about what will meet your needs for years to come!