How to clean a sofa at home without a machine?

Author: Dovie Purdy  |  Last update: Sunday, August 24, 2025

Soft-bristle brush: A soft-bristle brush can help you loosen dirt and debris from the fabric without causing any harm. Mild detergent: opt for a gentle, colourless detergent to avoid leaving behind any residue. White vinegar: Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner that can help eliminate odours and certain stains.

What is the best way to clean a fabric sofa?

A regular clean with baking soda can also help to remove odors from your sofa. Vinegar is another natural product that can be used on your sofa to remove stains. Make a solution that is equal parts water and white wine vinegar. Use a clean white cloth that is slightly damp and rub away the stain.

How do I clean my couch without a machine?

Use a rag or a scrub brush, like the one you use for the bathtub. Grab a bowl with warm soapy water and start scrubbing in circles. Since you don't have a wet dry vacuum, do not soak the couch with water or it's gonna stink! Repeat the steps until clean.

How to clean a sofa by hand?

Wrap a microfiber cloth around a pot lid, tying the opposite corners together, to use as an oversized scrub brush. Dip the lid into the detergent solution, then use it to scrub your couch cushions and frame. Rinse the cloth and repeat the scrubbing process using clean water to remove any residue.

How do you deep clean a couch by yourself?

How do you deep clean a couch
  1. Brush the couch to remove crumbs, dirt, and hair.
  2. Use the brush attachment on a vacuum to clean more thoroughly.
  3. Remove the cushions and clean them separately, if possible.
  4. Sprinkle baking soda across the sofa and leave for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Vacuum up the baking soda.
  6. Spot treat stains.

Clean your Couch and Carpets easily in minutes with a pot lid

Does white vinegar clean couches?

How do you clean upholstery naturally? For fabric upholstery, combine 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/2 tablespoon of natural liquid soap and 3/4 cup warm water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and give it a good shake. Mist the stained area lightly and scrub it gently with a soft cloth.

What household products can I use to clean my sofa?

Store-bought fabric upholstery cleaner is a good choice to use on a sofa, but you can also make a solution of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of gentle laundry detergent and 2 cups of warm water. Use a rag or microfiber cleaning cloth to rub the cleaner into the upholstery. Then, air-dry.

How to clean a sofa hack?

Take a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water and mix together into a lather (the mixture should froth up as the baking soda and vinegar react with one another). Then, apply directly to any stains or smudges that you can spot on your fabric sofa. Leave to dry out for around 10 minutes.

Can I clean my couch with Dawn and water?

If your couch has a W or W/S tag, you can simply scrub it with dish soap (we like Dawn) and water.

How can I dry clean my couch at home?

How Can I Dry Clean My Sofa At Home?
  1. Look for a tag on your furniture. This label indicates which upholstery fabric is used to cover your piece. ...
  2. Buy a dry-cleaning agent. ...
  3. Ventilate the area. ...
  4. Spot test the dry cleaner. ...
  5. Apply the cleaner to the rest of the furniture. ...
  6. Finish off by removing the cleaner.

What is the best solution for cleaning upholstery?

For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts.

How can I clean my couch with water at home?

Start by dampening a clean cloth with water and gently wipe down the entire sofa.
  1. Open windows or use a fan to circulate air around the sofa.
  2. Pat down any excess moisture with a dry towel.
  3. Allow the sofa to air-dry completely before using it again.

How do you clean a fabric couch without washing it?

To help remove odors and brighten the fabric, sprinkle the upholstery with dry baking soda. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently work it into the fabric. Allow the baking soda to work for at least one hour or up to overnight. Then, vacuum away the baking soda and the soil it has collected.

Can baking soda clean fabric sofa?

Yes, baking soda is safe for most couches. It helps remove odors and can be used to clean stains when mixed with water.

Is fabric sofa easy to clean?

5 stars - Synthetic fabrics, such as olefin, nylon, acrylic, and acetate, are popular fabric choices for sofas as they are durable and easy to clean. When it comes to professional cleaning, these fabrics respond very well to deep cleaning.

How do I deep clean my couch myself?

The best method involves vacuuming the sofa thoroughly, spot-treating stains with a suitable cleaner, and then using a fabric or upholstery cleaner to clean the entire surface. For deep cleaning, consider using a steam cleaner.

Can you use a dishwasher tablet to clean a sofa?

Step 1: Thoroughly dissolve the dishwasher tablet in water.

I made sure the water was hot enough to dissolve the tablet completely so no blue gel or white powder was visible. Once dissolved, soak a microfiber towel in the solution and give it a good wring to get rid of the excess water; you don't want it dripping.

How to clean a performance fabric couch?

The beauty of performance fabric is that the simple solution of dish detergent and water and a soft bristle brush will usually do the trick. If the stain is set in, use the solution of bleach and water and the stain should come right out. Remember to rinse with clean water and blot dry.

What is the best portable upholstery cleaner?

The Bottom Line

For an upholstery cleaner machine, we recommend the Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000. Over six months of testing, it proved effective at removing both fresh and set-in stains. Plus it's extremely portable with a long hose and power cord, so you can get to any mess you need to clean.

Can you use laundry detergent in a couch cleaner?

Never use laundry detergent or dish soap

Both laundry detergent and dish soap commonly pop up as effective solutions for cleaning fabric couches. However, Sabrina Fierman suggests this is not the case as 'you can never get all the residue out'.

What is the best homemade upholstery cleaner?

Mix 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 cups of warm water. If you don't have baking soda, that's okay, although baking soda does a great job of neutralizing odors!

When should you not use vinegar to clean?

But eight places you should never use vinegar include:
  1. Stone Countertops. Surfaces that often get ruined by vinegar are stone countertops, like marble and travertine. ...
  2. Dishwashers/Washing Machines. ...
  3. Clothes Iron. ...
  4. Tile Grout. ...
  5. Knives. ...
  6. Small Appliances. ...
  7. Hardwood Floors. ...
  8. Electronic Screens.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my couch?

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain-fighter, and it's perfect for tackling tough stains like blood. Plus, it's safe to use on most fabrics, so you can use it on your couch without worrying about damaging the material.

Previous article
What is the lifespan of microfiber?
Next article
How many sewer cleanouts does a house have?