The sofa is a living space in its own right where meals, laughter and tears follow the daily rhythm of the whole family. So, suffice to say that this good old sofa sees all the colors day after day! And if a leather sofa tends to fade and crack over time, the fabric one will retain all the bad odors and stains possible and imaginable. Fortunately, there are various grandmother’s tips that can make it look like new again. To do this, there is no need for expensive household products full of toxic chemicals! Here are the best easy steps and natural ingredients to restore the covering of your fabric sofa very effectively.
Please note: Before using any cleaning technique or product on dirt, test it on a less visible part.
1) We take care of the dusting stage
Dust and humidity will greatly dull your fabric sofa. In addition, it may leave marks. If your sofa has a removable cover, it will be easy to shake every week and put in the washing machine if necessary. Otherwise, vacuum the entire surface of the sofa with a brush tip (backrest and armrests included). To do this, remain gentle so as not to damage the fabric by rubbing it. Brushing and vacuuming will be enough to remove most of the dirt without needing to scrub too much.
The extra thing: If your furniture is studded with pet hair, first pass a rubber glove, a silicone squeegee or a nylon pantyhose over its entire surface to catch the hairs.
2) Steam cleaning ideally
The steamer will not be suitable for satin fabric or velvet sofas. Other fabrics will support it very well as long as you are regular in your movements. So, avoid putting too much emphasis on certain areas that could be too wet. After a few passes, the natural fibers or synthetic fibers of your fabric sofa will have regained their impeccable appearance. Then remember to give it time to dry for a few hours.
3) The no-hassle cleaning tip
Want to revive the shine of the sofa and deodorize it without spending 3 hours there ? In this case, bring food-grade baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate from the salt section of the supermarket). Sprinkle it all over the fabric evenly then rub gently with a household glove or washcloth. Leave it on for a few hours. Finally, all you have to do is vacuum! Sommières soil being more absorbent, it can be used in the same way on the entire sofa or damp or greasy stains.
4) A little all-purpose cleaner to clean your fabric sofa
By all-purpose cleaner, we of course mean white vinegar which is generally suitable for cleaning the entire house (with rare exceptions). To use it, first dilute it with water in equal amounts. Then rub the fabric with a soaked sponge well wrung out or a washcloth to avoid over-wetting the padding and upholstery. Rub lightly in circular movements and let dry slowly. In addition to cleaning, this outstanding stain remover will allow you to deodorize your couch and armchairs. For a deeper cleaningyou can also scrub with a brush a mixture consisting of a bowl of hot water and 3 tbsp of soda crystals. After rinsing with clean water, you will have revived the beauty of your sofa.
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