TLC FOR YOUR SOFA – HOW TO KEEP YOUR SOFA CLEAN

Showing your sofa a bit of TLC will make sure it lasts for years to come. Here’s what you should be doing daily, weekly and bi-annually to care for your sofa.

DAILY

Foam filled cushions will start off firmer and soften over time – this is perfectly normal and not a defect with the product. You may have a favourite spot on the sofa meaning one cushion will become more worn than the others. To avoid this, try and use the sofa evenly and flip cushions at intervals if possible.

If your sofa is near a window that gets direct sunlight you may need to consider the effects on the fabric. Direct exposure to sunlight can lead to fading, especially in darker fabrics. You may want to put a throw over the sofa to protect it.

WEEKLY

The best way to give your sofa a quick clean is to vacuum it all over using a bristled dusting head. If the cushions are removable – take them off and vacuum underneath. You might find this area to be dirtier than you expected as crumbs and grit tend to end up under the cushions. If the cushions aren’t removable use a small vacuum head to get to the edges and corners where dirt has collected. Doing this weekly will prevent any dirt getting ingrained into the fabric of the sofa.

SIX MONTHLY

After six months to a year your sofa may be in need of a deeper clean. Before doing anything make sure to check the tag that shows which types of cleaning your sofas fabric can withstand.

Once you have established the fabric is okay to be cleaned, start with a mixture of 2 cups distilled water, 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. If you are unsure about the effect this will have on your sofa do a patch test in a non-visible area.

Next use a microfibre cloth to gently scrub the entire surface of your sofa. Finally, let it dry naturally (you may want to turn the heating on to speed up the process in winter).

SPILLAGE EMERGENCIES

If you accidentally spill a liquid on your sofa, make sure to blot it up as soon after the accident as possible. Use a dry cloth to soak up the liquid by dabbing the area. Don’t rub as you will push the liquid further into the sofa.

When the excess liquid has been soaked up you can wipe down with a clean damp cloth. Rinse regularly and keep going until the area has been cleared. Let the area dry naturally and all should be well.

Following this simple guide should keep your sofa in great condition making sure it lasts for as long as possible.