A brand new sofa sure does brighten up your living room. Sometimes it even becomes the focal point of a room, until the newness wears off and dirt sets in! That’s when it becomes the downfall of your interior décor! Of course, a sofa doesn’t have to reach this point IF the owner takes the right measures to keep it in clean, tiptop condition. How, you ask? Well, lucky for you, Think Maids has the answers right here! Read on.
- Vacuum Regularly
If you have pets, vacuuming your upholstery daily is advised! Of course, even without pets, dirt and dust settle on your sofa to make it look dull and dingy over time. Regular vacuuming will maintain a clean look while also preventing your allergies from flaring up every time you sit on your sofa. Most vacuums come with special attachments to clean upholstery but if you have a handheld vacuum cleaner, it’s a lot more practical to use and equally efficient in cleaning.
- Quick Cleans with a Lint Roller
Lint is yet another couch polluter. However, a lint roller picks up more than just lint; it’s a great way to clean your couch quickly when you’re in a hurry to tidy up before guests arrive. Be sure to clean your lint roller at intervals, however, or it won’t be very effective in cleaning upholstery.
- Spot Cleaning
This one is very important. If you allow stains to sit until you decide to clean your entire couch, chances are that stain won’t come out (not without a lot of time, effort and cleaning product, anyway!) The second you see something out of the ordinary – be it a dirt smear, juice spill or ketchup drip – grab some kitchen cloths and blot the area to absorb as much of the stain as possible. If the stain is dry, skip that step and do this; make a runny paste of baking soda and white vinegar and spread it over the stain. After a few minutes, dampen a clean, absorbent cloth and dab the area to pick up the paste. Rinse the cloth out at intervals and continue to blot the remains of the stains. If needed, use minimal scrubbing within the area of the stain to avoid spreading.
Regular detergent soap and water also serves as a good stain remover for spot cleaning; however, it’s important to allow the area to dry completely before repeating any cleaning process for best results.
- Steaming
It’s advisable to give your sofa a deep cleanse at least once a year. How else are you going to keep it looking brand new for years to come? To do this, steaming is the way to go. Of course, not everyone has a steamer so you‘ll probably have to call in the professionals for this. Most cleaning companies charge a reasonable fee to steam upholstery and will do the job efficiently and safely so that your sofa is not damaged.