Useful Tips On Fabric Sofa Cleaning (Updated)

Useful tips on fabric sofa cleaning. When it rains outside, it really rains in Singapore. There is nothing better than settling down on the sofa and relaxing, waiting for the weather to improve. But then you notice that the children or your loved pets have padded muddy prints over the fabric.

Fabric sofas are so vulnerable to stains, and sometimes good hygiene must clean the material thoroughly, regularly. How can you clean your fabric sofa and return to relaxing away from your beautiful Singapore day?

1. Clean up spills and marks quickly

The earlier you spot the mark, the easier it is likely to clean your fabric sofa. Dabbing at a still damp spill means that the stain will not soak into the fabric and potentially damage your sofa beyond repair. We have great pride in our homes in Singapore, and such a stain will cause distress if not dealt with immediately.

Remember to dab and not rub! Dabbing will soak the spill into the cloth; rubbing offers the danger of spreading the stain over a greater surface. Be patient and do not panic. Calm dabbing all the way – even if you are worried your wife will return soon!

2. Use a baby wipe

This might sound like strange advice, but baby wipes are surprisingly effective in picking up dirt and spills from your fabric sofa. People have often been shocked and surprised at the stain-removing power of something meant for a baby’s face.

But, as it is intended for such sensitive skin, the wipe will also gently work with the fabric rather than damaging it even more. So, a baby wipe offers amazing stain removal with gentle chemicals. Plus, baby wipes also have a pleasant smell, which more chemical-based detergents do not.

3. Use white vinegar

White vinegar is excellent at lifting stains from fabric. It is mildly acidic, so it will not damage the fabric too much, if at all. Remember to continue to dab at the stain, but you made need to be a little more vigorous if it is deeply soaked into the surface. Be sure to open windows after using white vinegar and use a fan to dry the sofa surface quickly. You

Will also need to go over the area with soapy water and a soft brush, as you do not want to be left with a smell of vinegar in your house after you have cleaned your sofa! Be patient and keep working at the stain. It might not lift at first, and you may need to keep coming back for several attempts.

4. Vacuum the sofa first

Use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Brush with and then against the fabric. This will pick up dust and stray dirt that accumulates. This is an important step in keeping your sofa hygienic. It is easy to believe that our sofas are clean because we work hard to keep our feet down or pets off the furniture. But, in truth, dust and dirt will rise into the air and settle onto your sofa, whether you are keeping it safe or not.

The best way to prevent the common cold, for instance, is to make sure you regularly vacuum your sofa. You could always cover the sofa with plastic sheets. Still, in reality, we want to enjoy the comfort of the fabric, so committing to vacuuming the sofa once in a while is probably your best approach to a hygiene friendly sofa!

There are many vacuum cleaning service providers dotted across Singapore, and by a mere search on the internet, you will surely find one that meets your expectations and budget.

5. Mild laundry detergent and a soft brush cloth

To give your sofa a quick clean, you should fill a bowl with mild, soapy laundry detergent. Using a soft brush cloth, rub with the thread of the fabric and gently clean all over. You really must try to avoid soaking the fabric – only gently dampening the fabric – to avoid slow drying and the potential for that unpleasant rotting smell that comes with a wet fabric.

6. Use the washing machine

If the sofa is in need of a deep clean then you can see if it is possible to remove the covers. Often, the seat and back cushion covers are removable. Once removed, you can put these in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and this will clean the covers thoroughly.

Remember to still use a gentle detergent, especially with fabrics with a soft, downy texture. If you use something harder, it might leave your once soft cushion abrasive to the touch and uncomfortable.

7. Dry thoroughly and naturally

Sending your sofa covers through a tumble dryer might have dire consequences. Your once adult size sofa covers might only be good for the children’s doll’s house. This may be a small exaggeration but beware of drying sofa covers artificially, as you may struggle to return them to the cushions you took them from.

The best advice is to open the windows and position a fan to circulate air around your sofa. This will dry the covers naturally and in situ. This means that they will retain their shape, whilst all dampness is removed to avoid the problem of a musty smell of slowly rotting fabric. Remember, the sofa needs to be thoroughly dried after any cleaning.

8. Of course, Mrs Laundry would always be happy to help

If the job is too big or you worry the stain is too ingrained, calling for a professional’s help is a sound choice. At Mrs. Laundry, we can offer to dry clean the covers and return them to you perfectly. Or, better still, we could send in one of our professional cleaners, as part of our maid service, and he or she will bring the fabric sofa back to cleanliness in no time at all.

You can then be sure that whatever choices need to be made, they will be choices that will guarantee your furniture’s longevity. Sometimes, there is no replacement for a professional hand, and we can often spend more money trying to solve the problem for ourselves. Contact us if you are looking for reliable cleaning services today!