Sofa cushions not only make your couch look much more welcoming, but they also help you and your guests feel comfortable in your home. However, they can accumulate quite a lot of dirt and grime, especially when accidental spills and stains come into the picture.
Not a lot of people think about including their sofa cushions in their routine cleaning, but it’s just as important as any other task on your list of chores. From unexpected stains to nasty odors, there are a few things that can ruin your sofa cushions.
While a professional or a steam cleaning will always get the job done, here are a few ways of how to clean a sofa cushion with some simple household items.
Things to Remember
Before proceeding with any cleaning method, it’s important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions on your cushion’s cleaning tag. This will help determine the recommended way of cleaning and should always be your primary reference.
Code
What it Means
WS
The fabric can be cleaned with either a water-based cleaner or a solvent-based cleaner.
S
The fabric can be cleaned with a solvent-based cleaner.
X
The fabric should only be professionally cleaned.
W
The fabric can be cleaned with water or a water-based cleaner.
Once you’ve read the cleaning tag, you can now start cleaning your cushions.
How to Remove Stains from a Sofa Cushion with Unremovable Cushion Covers
If your cushion covers aren’t removable, then this is a great way to remove stains without having to throw the entire cushion into a washing machine.
Step 1: Prepare the Sofa Cushion
You should always begin cleaning your sofa cushion by running a vacuum cleaner over the entire surface, preferably with a brush or upholstery attachment. This helps remove any loose dirt and debris, like pet hair or food crumbs, to make cleaning much easier.
If your stain was caused by a liquid, take this time to blot as much moisture as you can with a clean microfiber cloth or some paper towels.
Step 2: Make Your Cleaning Solution and Remove Any Stains
General Cleaning
In a bowl or a bucket, mix together a half teaspoon of mild dish soap and some warm water until you see suds forming. Then, get an upholstery brush and dip it into the suds before gently brushing across the surface, making sure to lightly soak the fabric. Finally, wipe the area with a clean and damp cloth.
Urine Stains
While you can use a solvent-based cleanser or an enzymatic cleaner, you can also make your own by combining a cup of white vinegar, a cup of warm water and 2 teaspoons of mild dish soap in a bowl.
Once your solution is ready, get a clean cloth and dip this in until it’s damp and use this to gently dab and blot the stained area until it’s been removed. You can also choose to sprinkle some baking soda over the area and cover it with a cloth for 6 hours to soak up any remaining moisture or odor.
When the stain has been removed, get a clean cloth and dampen it with some clean water before using the damp cloth to lightly wipe away any remaining residue from the solution.
Red Wine Stains
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Create a cleaning solution by mixing some warm water with some salt. Dip a sponge into the solution and begin lightly scrubbing at the stain. Afterwards, get some talcum powder and spread this over the stained area, leaving it to set for around 5 minutes.
When the five minutes have passed, lightly scrub at the talcum powder with an upholstery brush to spread the powder over the stain. Then, add a small amount of vinegar onto the area and brush it off before applying a small amount of mild liquid detergent and using a damp sponge to lightly work it in. Finally, get a clean paper towel to remove any traces of residue.
Coffee Stains
Mix together 2 cups of cold water and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap into a bowl. Then, get a clean towel and dip it into the solution, making sure that it’s damp and not soaking. Use this towel to apply the solution onto the stained area and scrub at it gently.
Once the stained area is saturated and damp with the solution, get another clean towel and dampen it with some cold water before using it to blot the area and remove any traces of the dish soap.
Step 3: Let the Sofa Cushion Dry
When the stain has been removed, leave your cushion to air dry completely.
That’s all there is to it, but if you have a cushion with removable covers, then keep on reading to learn how to give them a proper cleaning.
How to Clean Sofa Cushion with Removable Cushion Covers
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If you have a sofa cushion with a removable cushion cover, then all you need to do is toss the cushion cover into the washing machine to quickly and easily remove any stains or to give your cushion cover a nice refresh.
Step 1: Spot Treat Stains
For general cleanings, you can just use any stain remover or spot treatment to pre-treat any stains on your cushion cover.
In case you’re faced with unwanted stains caused by spilled drinks, make sure to remove the cover immediately and to blot up as much of it as you can with a cloth.
Step 2: Toss the Cushion Cover into the Machine
When washing cushion covers in a machine, make sure to use a dye-free detergent to prevent inadvertent color transfer or color fading. You should also use cold water when washing fabrics, and always set your washing machine on the delicate cycle as these are much gentler.
Step 3: Let Cushion Cover Air Dry Completely
It’s always better to let cushion covers air dry as machine drying could cause these to shrink or even fade. When leaving your cover to air dry, make sure to do this in the shade as sunlight could cause some fabrics to bleach.
When you simply can’t fit in your regular cleaning into your busy schedule, professional sofa cleaning can take the burden of cleaning off your hands. Our well-trained cleaners can tackle any stain and mess so that your sofa is sparkling clean.
Send us a message and schedule a cleaning appointment today!
