How To Clean Fabric Sofa Naturally – Detailed Guide

How to clean fabric sofa naturally? Our couches are probably the most comfortable area we have at home.

It is where we can rest and enjoy an afternoon nap, or maybe even binge-watch our favourite TV series and movies on Netflix.

It is also where we gossip with our guests and relax with our kids and pets.

But using it for the whole day makes it more vulnerable to dust, dirt, and germs.

Food crumbs and accidental spills can even damage your sofa’s upholstery.

However, cleaning your furniture can get a bit more complicated when dealing with a fabric couch.

If you are wondering what makes fabric sofas different from other types of couches, then you have come to the perfect place!

We will take a look at the safest and most affordable techniques to keep your upholstery free from dirt and bacteria.

How To Clean Fabric Couch Without Water: Why Do It?

Because of the increasing popularity and accessibility of fabric sofas in the market, many homeowners like you may be wondering how to naturally clean your upholstery.

Although spraying water over your furniture may be the first thing that comes to mind, doing this technique may not always be the best option.

Applying the typical water-soap spray solution onto your costly sofa set may bring irreversible damage to its upholstery and cushion seats.

Fabric couches consist of synthetic fibres sensitive to water and may turn dull later on due to constant use and application.

Because of this, homeowners must know how to clean their fabric sofas without water to minimize the likelihood of damaging their furniture.

How To Clean Fabric Sofa Naturally: The Ultimate Guide

Cleaning your couch, as well as its cushion seats, requires several meticulous steps to keep its surfaces and crevices germ-free.

But this procedure becomes more challenging for fabric sofas because they are much more sensitive to water than leather and polyester upholstery.

Spraying water and dish soap over its armrest, backside, and cushions may leave massive water spots on your couch.

Because of this, many homeowners would turn to expert cleaners to take care of their cleaning woes.

But not everyone has the budget and resources to afford these professional cleaning services.

Luckily, we have compiled all the easy and inexpensive ways to get the job done without hiring a professional.

Below is a brief overview of cleaning your fabric sofa naturally:

Step 1 – Check Your Couch’s Cleaning Tag

The most overlooked yet essential step when cleaning your fabric couch is to check its manufacturer tag.

Here, you would have a rough idea of the cleaning techniques you can do to keep it free from dust and germs without causing permanent damage.

For instance, seeing a label with “W” means that you can disinfect your upholstery using the typical water and soap solution.

But in some cases, you may also see a mark that says “WS,” which tells you to clean your furniture using a bit of water or a local solvent-based cleaner.

However, these two solutions may not be an effective cleaning agent if your couch has a symbol that says, “S.”

In such instances, you would need to purchase high-quality solvent-based cleaners.

Lastly, the “X” mark on your cleaning label indicates that vacuum cleaning is the only preferred way of disinfecting your fabric couch.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Materials

After checking your sofa’s manufacturer’s tag, the next thing to do is prepare your cleaning materials.

Depending on your budget, there are tons of tools available in the market.

For instance, you can choose between a vacuum cleaner or a steam dryer.

How To Clean Fabric Couch Without Water –  The Essential Tools

But again, your materials all depend on how much you are willing to spend. Below is a list of the usual cleaning tools you may see:

# Vacuum Cleaner

One of the most needed cleaning tools at home is a vacuum cleaner. This device allows you to keep your sofa’s surfaces clean. It can get rid of dirt, dust, and pet fur without harming your upholstery.

# Dry Brush

If you do not have enough budget to purchase a vacuum cleaner, you can use a brush consisting of stiff bristles. When using this tool, make sure to remove all the grime that has settled on the fabric.

# Steam Cleaner

Since fabric couches are sensitive to water, you can purchase a steam cleaner instead. Although this is much more expensive than a vacuum cleaner, it can reach the inner depths of your upholstery and eliminate hard-to-remove dirt.

However, you can only use this cleaning tool if your couch’s manufacturer tag does not have the “WS” mark. Otherwise, it may not be able to handle the heat from your steam cleaner.

# Carpet Cleaner

A carpet cleaner is an excellent alternative to your steam cleaner if your couch has the “WS” symbol on it. Not only will it give your fabric couch a thorough clean, but it also works well on your carpets.

# Baking Soda and Vinegar

Aside from being used in the kitchen, baking soda and vinegar are also great cleaning agents. Baking soda is a known deodorizer that can help remove disgusting odours from your furniture.

Meanwhile, vinegar is a strong and excellent stain remover. Hence, a combination of baking soda and vinegar will give you the best results, especially when dealing with grease and dirt.

Step 3 – Sprinkle Baking Soda

Once you have all your cleaning materials prepared, let us now move on to the next step on cleaning your fabric sofa without water.

Here, it would be best if you switched off all the fans in the room before sprinkling little amounts of baking soda over your couch.

Doing this technique freshens your upholstery and eliminates the disgusting odor that comes with it.

Allow the powder to settle for around 20 minutes, and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove it.

Make sure you get even the hardest-to-reach spots on your furniture.

You can try fitting your fabric cushions on your vacuum cleaner and then moving gently around to remove the remaining baking soda.

Although this step may seem a bit straightforward, many people still tend to sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda onto their upholstery.

Not only will this be a waste, but it may also cause allergies to your family members when not properly removed.

You also do not need to add water in this step, so you do not need to worry about damaging your furniture.

Step 4 – Prepare Your Stain Remover Solution

The next step when cleaning your fabric sofa is removing any food stain present on its upholstery.

For this method, you would need a robust stain remover solution to get the job done.

Although baking soda has powerful cleaning properties, it is only a deodorizer and may not be enough to remove hard-to-reach stains.

So if you want to remove unwanted stains from your drinks or sauces, we highly suggest purchasing solvent-based cleaners from the market.

These materials are effective in removing different types of spots.

But aside from these solutions, you can prepare your very own DIY stain remover using white vinegar.

How To Clean Fabric Sofa With Vinegar: Why Do It?

White vinegar is the best cleaning agent among the different types of acetic acid available because it is colorless and does not stain surfaces.

Additionally, it is only 5% acidic, allowing it to eliminate grime and kill bacteria, without harming your upholstery.

How To Clean Fabric Sofa With Vinegar: Preparing Your DIY Solution

The first approach to cleaning your fabric sofa with vinegar is preparing the stain remover solution.

Here, you would need the following:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Spray bottle

Once you have prepared your materials, the next thing to do is mix a teaspoon of dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, and warm water until it forms a lather.

Place this solution into your spray bottle and perform a spot test over a tiny area on your couch first.

We highly recommend doing this step to minimize possible damages to your upholstery.

Step 5 – Air Dry Your Couch

Afterwards, spray your solution directly to any smudges present on your fabric couch.

Let the dampened area dry out for at least 10 minutes before wiping it down using a soft cloth.

You can also place several absorbent towels on the wet spot and allow them to soak up any excess moisture.

Remember not to leave your sofa dampened because the moisture from the vinegar solution may find its way through the cushioning and damage the material.

Finally, gently brush off any remaining dirt on your couch’s armrest, backside, and backrest using a vacuum cleaner or a dry brush.

How To Clean Fabric Sofa Naturally: Final Thoughts

Fabric couches have become a popular item to homeowners nowadays. It can perfectly complement any interior and radiate a relaxing and soothing vibe.

But since sofas are vulnerable to dirt and germs because of their constant use, regular cleaning is essential.

Compared to other types of upholstery, fabric couches require more attention when cleaning.

That is why we hope this guide about cleaning your fabric sofa naturally helps you live a germ-free life.