What is best for cleaning a sofa?

Author: Kole Padberg  |  Last update: Sunday, June 8, 2025

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.

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.

What is the best cleaning solution for couches?

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.

Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my fabric couch?

Yes, you can use vinegar and dish soap to clean upholstery.

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.

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

How do professional cleaners clean couches?

Most professional upholstery cleaning services use a process called hot water extraction. Their machine injects hot water and cleaning solution into the fibers of your upholstery to dislodge particles hiding there. Then it all gets sucked up with a powerful vacuum.

How do you make upholstery cleaner with Dawn?

Mix a quarter cup of soap flakes (grated Dawn soap is a good choice) with two cups of hot water. Let the mixture sit for a minute, then whisk with an electric blender until a foamy paste has formed. Increase the whisking speed, making more foam. Apply the foam (not the paste) to the stained area with a stiff brush.

What is the best at home sofa cleaner?

Our top pick for an upholstery cleaner is the Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Clean Spot Cleaner. It does a great job with a variety of stains, and comes with multiple, interchangeable cleaning heads.

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.

How to get pee smell out of couch?

Thoroughly mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle or another container. Add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap, so that the solution does not produce too much foam. Treat the smelly area of the couch with the mixture and let it dry. Repeat the operation if necessary.

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.

Can you use pine sol on a fabric couch?

Also, our upholstery cleaning expert says he would never use Pine-Sol to clean upholstery.

How do you clean a fabric couch without leaving water marks?

Working in small sections, treat the couch by applying soap suds and gently massaging them on the couch using a soft-bristled brush. After cleaning several sections, rinse the brush using the plain water in the other basin. Remove as much water as possible before applying more soap suds to prevent water spots.

What is the best thing to clean a couch with?

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 long to let a couch dry after cleaning?

Your specific upholstery fabric will determine which cleaning method we use. While the cleaning method along with optional protector application determines the drying time, typical dry time ranges from 2-6 hours.

What do upholstery cleaners use?

A: There are two main types of upholstery cleaning: steam cleaning and hot water extraction. Steam cleaning uses hot steam to loosen dirt and other debris from the fabric. Hot water extraction uses hot water and suction to remove dirt and other debris from the fabric.

How do you clean a fabric sofa?

How to deep clean fabric and microfiber couches:
  1. Steam the couch. Use a handheld garment steamer or bursts from your steam iron to kill surface dust mites. ...
  2. Vacuum the upholstery. ...
  3. Test a hidden spot. ...
  4. Spot clean stains. ...
  5. Clean dingy arms and headrests. ...
  6. Sanitize the couch.

What is the best upholstery cleaner machine?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Machine: SALE. Dirt Devil Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner at Amazon $100 $80. ...
  • Best With Steam: Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet at Amazon $230. Jump to Review.
  • Best Spray: Bissell Oxy Stain Pretreat at Amazon $14. ...
  • Best for Leather Upholstery: Furniture Clinic Large Leather Care Kit at Amazon $38.

How do you clean a couch by yourself?

How to Clean Couch Stains
  1. Brush the couch. Use a clean white towel or stiff brush to loosen anything that has dried onto the couch.
  2. Apply baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the entire couch. ...
  3. Make a DIY couch cleaner. ...
  4. Wipe down the couch. ...
  5. Let the fabric dry.

Can you use Dawn to clean couch?

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

How to sanitize fabric without washing?

You can sanitize a lot of fabrics without having to wash them. If you're unable to wash your curtains in the machine, a sanitizing or disinfecting spray will get the job done as long as you're using it as directed. Try: Clorox Fabric Sanitizer.

Can you use a carpet cleaner on a couch?

Yes, you can use carpet cleaner on a couch! However, you need to be careful and test a small area first. Some carpet cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage delicate fabrics. If you're unsure, it's always best to contact the manufacturer of your carpet cleaner and ask for their advice.

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