Your sofa got dirty? Don't worry! I have prepared a complete guide for you to see how to clean your sofa at home. Whatever the cause that led to the staining of your beloved sofa, there is a solution to restore it to its original condition.

There are many ways to clean your sofa from stains, dust, odors, or even pet hair. Below, you will find detailed ways to clean your sofa, as well as the appropriate tools and cleaning products to achieve it.

How to clean the sofa?

The answer to the question "how to clean the sofa" is simple and easy. First, you need to determine the cause of the staining of your sofa. Then, you will need to get the appropriate cleaning devices and cleaning products to make your sofa look like new. Did you get everything you need? Perfect! Let's start with 3 simple steps.

Step 1 - Thoroughly vacuum the sofa

To effectively clean your sofa, you will need to first vacuum it thoroughly with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming will remove most of the dust and small debris that may be hiding in the crevices and arms of the sofa. Additionally, it will remove any pet hair that may be present.

Step 2 - Eliminate odors

Often, our sofas are faced with unpleasant odors caused by frequent use or accumulated dirt over time, which can make us feel uncomfortable. The solution to unpleasant odors is to use baking soda or a steam cleaner that will permanently eliminate the odors.

Step 3 - Remove stains

Cleaning the sofa at home involves many challenges, and one of them is removing stains.

The safest way to prevent further damage to the fabric and color of your sofa is to try to clean the stain promptly.

Even if you don't catch it quickly, I have solutions below that will help you easily remove odors, stains, pet hair, and more.

How to clean the sofa with a steam cleaner

If you are one of the lucky ones who have an steam cleaner at home, then you already know very well that there are no stains or odors that cannot be effectively removed with the use of a steam cleaner. Sofas that are suitable for steam cleaning can be cleaned and disinfected with a steam cleaner suitable for fabrics.

Start by thoroughly vacuuming your sofa. Then, test your steam cleaner on a small area of the sofa to see if it cleans without damaging the fabric. Extra tip: Choose a sunny day to clean your sofa, so that you can leave the window open and allow the fabric to dry naturally, faster, and evenly.

Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using your steam cleaner.

Cleaning sofa with soda

A natural way to get rid of stains is cleaning the sofa with soda. You can use baking soda alone to eliminate unpleasant odors, or mix it with vinegar and water to clean the stains.

Recipes for cleaning sofa with soda

The first recipe is very easy and removes all unpleasant odors from the sofa. Simply sprinkle baking soda all over the sofa and let it sit for a while. Then, wipe it very well and enjoy a clean sofa, odor-free.

Want to clean the sofa from stains? Put in a small bucket or large bowl, a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent, four tablespoons of white vinegar, and a glass of warm water. You will see the mixture foaming, as the soda with the other ingredients will create a reaction. Once the foaming stops, try putting a little of the mixture on a small spot of the sofa that is not visible, to make sure the fabric is not altered. If everything is fine, place your mixture in a sprayer. With the help of the sprayer, spray the surface of the sofa with the stain and leave it for 10 minutes. After the time passes, wipe the spot very well with a dry microfiber towel.

Soda can also remove stains from red wine. Wipe off as much as you can the area where the wine spilled with absorbent paper. Then, mix soda with water to form a paste, and spread it on the area. Wipe it off after 10 minutes and see the stain disappear. If it doesn't go away completely, try sprinkling some plain soda on the spot and scrub well with a soft toothbrush.

Finally, if you think soda didn't work effectively, try getting a special sofa cleaner.

How to clean the sofa from odors?

Does your sofa smell? No worries, I have the solution for you! Try using baking soda or clean it with your steam cleaner. If it still smells, try the following trick.

It's time to reveal my secret weapon against odors. I have tried it many times and I make sure to use it for general cleaning on all furniture fabrics, even curtains. To start, you will need a spray bottle, your favorite fabric softener, and plenty of water. Fill the spray bottle with water and add half a cap of fabric softener. Shake it well to mix the water with the fabric softener and spray it from a distance on the sofa and all fabrics in the house.

Amazing, right? If you liked it, follow my profile to learn all my secrets!

How to clean the sofa from dust?

You can easily clean your sofa from dust, either by using a handheld vacuum or with an electric vacuum cleaner and the appropriate attachment. In most cases, a simple vacuuming is enough to remove the dust. Make sure to repeat the process at least once a week to reduce the risk of allergies and respiratory problems that can be caused by dust.

How to clean the sofa from dog urine?

When your puppy is still young, it may happen to have accidents on the sofa or other areas of the house until it is trained to go outside. Stains from dog urine are a common occurrence for pet owners (trust me, I know). Instead of getting angry with your little monster, it's better to quickly clean the stain with a specialized cleaner for dog area cleaning suitable for fabrics and spray the area with a dog repellent spray.

How to clean the sofa from dog hair?

The solution to clean your sofa from dog hair is one and very effective. Use hair rollers or a lint remover. They effectively remove hair from all sofa fabrics without damaging the fabric or color. Extra tip: try to brush your dog's fur every day. Brushing removes loose hair and reduces your dog's shedding.

How to clean sofa cushions?

Your sofa cushions also need regular cleaning. If they have removable pillowcases, you can probably wash them in the washing machine. For any case, check the manufacturer's instructions on the label for the program and temperature they can be washed at. Otherwise, try cleaning them with your steam cleaner.

How to clean the sofa arms

We have all experienced falling asleep on the sofa and resting our head on one of the arms. That's why we need to make sure they are always clean, as we not only touch our head but also our face on them. Dust, dirt, and grime can contribute to acne if we don't pay attention. The most effective way to clean the sofa arms is everything we mentioned above. Start with a good vacuuming and then, pick your poison!

If you're still lazy to clean your sofa every now and then, take a look at the next article and see smart ways to put a throw blanket on your sofa, so it doesn't get dirty.