Polyester couches have become a popular choice for homeowners due to their durability, wide variety of colors, and styles that add to any house’s attractiveness.
However, lint, pet dander, dirt, debris, and more can end up on your couch, making it look dingy and unkempt—it gets even worse if stains are set!
So, learning to keep your couch clean is crucial. Here are two ways to clean your sofa: the maintenance method for regular cleaning or the stain remover method if you are dealing with an already dirty sofa.
The maintenance method: how to keep a polyester couch clean
Polyester is prone to static charge, which causes a lot of dirt and debris to get attached to your couch regularly. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll be cleaning your couch daily; these sofas are easy to keep looking good if you give them a little maintenance every week or two.
Follow these easy steps to get rid of the regular debris on your couch:
Step 1. Brush the couch
Polyester is a very resistant type of material, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful and use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching the fabric.
To clean most of the everyday debris from your couch, you only need to brush and gather the dirt in a small part of the couch. Remove all the cushions to reach every corner with your brush.
Step 2. Clean off the debris
After you’ve gathered all the debris, you have three options:
- Suck it up with a vacuum cleaner.
- Brush the dirt onto the floor to sweep it later.
- Use a small dustpan and pick it up from your couch.
Note: If you have a vacuum with an upholstery attachment, you can do both steps at the same time!
The stain remover method: how to deep clean a polyester couch
Removing those unavoidable stains from the polyester may take longer than simply brushing off the dust, but polyester is still easy to clean. Follow the next easy instructions to eliminate stains.
Note: You can also use this method every six to twelve months to give your couch a more thorough cleaning.
Step 1. Choose your cleaner
Even if they’re made from the same material, your couch’s needs can vary depending on the manufacturer.
So, the first thing you should do is check the labels to find the right type of cleaning agent to use—they will show whether you can use water-based or solvent cleaners or if it’s dry-clean-only.
Then, choose a store-bought cleaner that fulfills the requirements of your couch, or—if you can use water-based cleaners on your sofa—you can make your own.
Make a water-based solution for polyester couches: Mix ¾ cup warm water with one tablespoon of gentle dish soap in a spray bottle.
Step 2. Spot-test the cleaning solution before moving on
Even if polyester is resistant, you can avoid an unpleasant surprise if you spot-test your solution first. This way, you’ll ensure it doesn’t stain your couch, discolor the fabric, or hurt the fibers—better safe than sorry, right?
So, try the solution on a small, invisible corner of your sofa, wait a couple of minutes, and wipe it away. Depending on the results, you’ll know if you can continue or need to try a different cleaner.
Step 3. Spritz the solution on your couch
To clean the whole couch, spray everything with your chosen solution. Or, to target stained spots, you can spray them directly or dab the cleaner on the stains with a cloth. Don’t oversaturate your couch with the solution; drying it will be a challenge!
Then, leave the cleaning agent to work for five to ten minutes. Once the solution has had enough time to work, rinse the sofa with a cloth dampened with plain water to eliminate the residue.
Warning: Remember to follow the label instructions if you use a store-bought cleaner.
Step 4. Dry the couch
You wouldn’t want mold and bacteria growing in the polyester due to the humidity, right? So, open the windows to let the air in, set up a fan, or—if you’re in a hurry—use a hair dryer to help. If your couch cushions come off, you can sun dry them.
Your couch may take a while to dry, so be patient! It won’t stay wet forever.
Learn more cleaning hacks with Think Maids!
Do you have more things that need cleaning but don’t know how to clean them? Then, you’ve come to the right place!
At the Think Maids blog, you can find the best cleaning hacks, tips, and tricks to help keep your home in tip-top shape.