How to clean a fabric sofa?

If you want to know how to clean a fabric sofa to keep it looking like new, you've come to the right place. The key is to maintain it regularly and act quickly when it gets stained. Check out all our cleaning tips and advice below to keep your sofa as clean as possible.

How to maintain a fabric sofa? 

To maintain a fabric chair, you should first remove the dust by vacuuming the entire surface. Then you can start to clean it gently.

For small stains, you can use a cleaning foam specially designed for textiles. This will remove all surface stains quickly and effectively. Apply the cleaner directly to the stain and leave it for about an hour. Rub in with a damp sponge and wipe off with a dry cloth.

A fabric sofa should be dusted daily to prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the upholstery. When cleaning, we therefore advise you to gently vacuum the fabric chair. This quick and easy action will restore the shine to your furniture.

Maintenance of a fabric couch

To protect your sofa upholstery from dampness, stains and rings, consider using textile waterproofing. Spray it evenly over the entire sofa and wait up to 24 hours for the fabric to dry thoroughly.

Be sure to check the label on your cleaning product, as some fabric sofas are moisture tolerant, while others must be dry cleaned. Also, some covers can be machine washed and some cannot.

In order to keep your sofa as long as possible, make sure you follow the washing instructions mentioned above.

How do you thoroughly clean a fabric sofa? 

Once or twice a year, your sofa will appreciate a thorough cleaning.

Start by removing crumbs and other dirt from all the corners. To do this, you will need a clean, dry cloth with which to rub the upholstery. For stubborn stains that are more difficult to remove, you may need to use a stiffer brush.

If the fabric is removable and machine washable (make sure you read the label), put the cover in the wash, choosing the appropriate programme (often for wool or delicate fabrics) and avoid the tumble dryer, as it tends to shrink the fibres.

If your fabric sofa is not removable, don't worry, you can still clean it. We recommend that you first check whether your sofa can be cleaned with water or not, and then follow our tips below.

Cleaning a fabric sofa with water 

When cleaning with water is possible, opt for a shampoo specially designed for textile care.

Always apply the cleaner to a soft brush or sponge and never directly to the fabric. Rinse thoroughly with a damp sponge, without rubbing the fabric, to avoid staining. Finally, you can dry your sofa by using a hair dryer or by placing a towel on the fabric to absorb excess moisture.

Dry cleaning of a fabric sofa 

If the fabric of your sofa is delicate or the colours are likely to bleed in the wash, dry cleaning is preferable. For this, you can use a powder specially designed for cleaning delicate textiles.

Alternatively, for a more natural solution, you can opt for baking soda. After sprinkling it directly on the fabric, you should leave it to work (at least one hour) and then vacuum it up thoroughly. The baking soda will not only brighten up the fabric, but will also deodorise the sofa if you leave it on overnight.

How do you get rid of bad odours on a fabric sofa? 

By their very nature, sofa fibres tend to retain unpleasant odours (pets, cooking, liquids) and over time this can turn into an unpleasant smell.

You can mask the smell with an upholstery deodoriser, but this is only a temporary solution, and you may be back to square one within hours. We therefore advise you to use a professional cleaner that will remove both stains and odours for a long time.

Hagerty cleaning products for your fabric sofa 

Discover below our cleaning products specially designed for armchairs, carpets, textiles, and other upholstery.

Foam Shampoo: Cleaning foam for washable fabrics

The product thoroughly cleans washable upholstery. Foam Shampoo removes dust and stains, revives the fibres, and deodorises your sofa, carpet, or other textile furniture for a long time.

Dry Shampoo: Dry-cleaning shampoo for delicate fabrics

The Dry Shampoo allows you to thoroughly clean your delicate textiles. This dry shampoo absorbs dirt and removes stains without damaging the surface. The product does not cause any marks on delicate fabrics (silk, wool), carpets (oriental carpets) or even mattresses.

S.O.S. Spot Remover: Express stain remover spray for washable fabrics

Hagerty stain remover spray allows you to remove stains, such as pet stains, from your fabric sofa, clothes, or other textiles in no time. As soon as you get the fabric dirty, quickly spray the product onto the stain and then machine wash the fabric if necessary.

5* Shampoo Concentrate: Cleaning shampoo for carpets, rugs, and washable fabrics

Clean and care for sofas, carpets, and other fabric furniture with Hagerty's concentrated shampoo. It is used with a Hagerty BLUE H machine. It removes dust and stains, is odour removal and revives colours quickly and easily.

If you would like more information about cleaning your fabric sofa, please contact us at hagerty@hagerty.world.