Clean the sofa
The sofa is generally the favorite piece of furniture for the whole family, since we spend a large part of our time there, especially on weekends. But this makes it dirty frequently, so regular maintenance is necessary if we want to avoid the accumulation of bacteria.
Cleaning sofas is a necessary task at home, especially if we have small children and pets. Although it is true that the sofa is a very useful and comfortable piece of furniture, it also has a decorative purpose, so it is necessary to take care of its appearance. However, it is common for questions to arise about how to do maintenance and what products to use to remove dust, mites and different types of stains.
The importance of vacuuming the sofa regularly
Cleaning the sofa can be more complicated to the extent that we have allowed dirt to accumulate, therefore, it is important to carry out preventive maintenance and, to achieve this, we only have to use the vacuum cleaner. In this way, we avoid the proliferation of mites, which can cause diseases in the respiratory system of family members.
The best Bosch vacuum cleaners of 2022 have nozzles for fabric and upholstery, which are specially designed for different types of sofas. In this sense, it is of great importance to use the correct accessory for greater durability of the material, but if it is a very delicate fabric it is preferable to use the vacuum tube without any type of nozzle.
It is very easy to clean upholstery, microfiber, cotton fabrics and even pretentious fabrics with the vacuum cleaner, you just have to gently and slowly pass it over the surface, but it is important to do this process periodically; once a week or twice a month, depending on how we use the sofa.
In addition, it is advisable to vacuum the cushions individually first, and then vacuum the rest of the sofa, paying attention to the nooks and crannies. It is good to know at this point that Bosch, Einhell, Dyson and other well-known brand vacuum cleaners include fine tip nozzles, to reach difficult places.
How to clean a sofa with removable covers?
If you want to know how to clean a sofa correctly, it is important to define what type of furniture it is. There are some that allow the outer layer of fabric to be unsheathed, in this way, it is possible to carry out the work with greater comfort and in less time. This also offers the possibility of washing the fabric in depth.
To clean the upholstery of the sofa with removable covers, you only have to remove the cushions and seats, to remove the respective covers and place them in the washing machine. Some sofas include a label where the cleaning instructions appear, but as a general rule it is important to use neutral soap, cold water and, if possible, avoid using the spin dryer, as some fabrics are very delicate.
If you are wondering how to clean a removable fabric sofa, it is worth mentioning that it is not necessary to wash the covers in the washing machine very often. In reality, you should only vacuum weekly and deep clean the fabric monthly, quarterly or semi-annually, depending on the use of the sofa and the amount of dirt accumulated.
The steamer: A good tool to clean sofas
No matter how careful we are, the sofa can become a source of bacteria, viruses and mites, for this reason, one of the most recommended appliances to clean this piece of furniture is the steam cleaner. The main advantage of this device is that it uses tap water, turning it into hot steam that eliminates microorganisms that cause diseases.
The steam cleaner is a safe way to clean the upholstery of the sofa, however, certain precautions must be taken. It is important to regulate the steam pressure depending on the material of the sofa, in general, synthetic fabrics are more delicate when applying heat, so an excess could damage the surface.
On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the water vapor can moisten the fabrics, therefore, it is advisable to pass the steam quickly, so that the fabric does not get soaked. In this way, the sofa can dry faster, thus preventing the appearance of mold.
What to do if there is too much dirt accumulated on the sofa?
In this case, the answers are similar to those of how to clean a very dirty mattress, since they are similar elements, both because of their frequent use and because of the presence of fabrics and padding. To begin with, it is necessary to identify the most visible and deep stains, to treat each one independently before cleaning the entire sofa.
You can clean the sofa with baking soda, dissolving a teaspoon in 500 ml of warm water and 250 ml of white vinegar. The procedure is very simple, you just have to place the mixture in a container with a sprayer and spray it on each stain, rubbing with a clean cloth. Later, you can clean the rest of the surface with this same compound.
If you suspect the presence of a virus on the sofa, then you can use pure alcohol, 70° or 96°. With the help of a sprayer you can apply over the entire surface, making circular movements with a white cloth or a very soft bristle brush. Likewise, it is advisable to dry the areas that are already clean with another cloth.
When the stains are more difficult, it is necessary to make a stronger mixture, using 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 100 ml of water. You can use a cloth to apply the substance on the stain and let it act for a few minutes. You can then use a damp cloth and rub the stain to remove completely.
In case the upholstery of the sofa is stain resistant, then you just have to use plain tap water and spray the dirty areas with a spray bottle. The older the stain, the more you will need to moisten the fabric. For greater effectiveness, you can use hot water and a little neutral hand soap. Finally, you just have to rinse with water and let dry.
