We all love snuggling and cozying up on our corner sofas. But that is until it is too dirty or smelly to use. Whether they are merely crumbs or tough stains, you need to learn how to clean leather sofas at home by yourself. Don’t let messy spills and tough stains cramp your style, especially when you can’t call for help. Follow the steps below to learn how to clean fabric sofas by yourself.
How to Clean a Leather Corner Sofa?
Brush Your Sofa
The first and most important step to cleaning your leather sofa is to brush it. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum instead of a brush. This is because it lets you remove dirt and crumbs from the surface. Not just this, but it also lets you get in between the corners. Do note, though, that you should wear gloves to avoid injuring yourself.Use a bristle brush to get rid of dirt and crumbs from your sofa. If the dirt is heavy, vacuum the spot after brushing to release the dirt. You can also scrub vigorously, but not enough to damage the fabric.
Determine the Type of Fabric
The type of fabric often determines how you will clean a corner sofa. This is why all sofas come with label codes and tags that let you know how to go about the cleaning. Use findthisbest to know the best fabric types. The common tags are:
X: sofas with an X label are very sensitive. As a result, you should not wash them at all. Instead, you can only vacuum them.
S: Use only dry cleaner detergents for sofas with an S label.
WS: Use either dry-cleaning detergent or a mild detergent with a steam vacuum for this sofa type. You can safely use water-based and solvent cleaners.
W: the letter W indicates that you should only use a water-based cleanser to clean the sofa. In essence, water won’t damage the sofa.
O: this means organic material that you should only wash with cold water.
Eliminate the Smell
If you have noticed a bad smell from the sofa, you should not skip this process. If not, then you can skip and wait for us at the next step. Smells from spillages and pets ultimately cause an unpleasant and lingering smell on the sofa. Unfortunately, such a smell is not good for visitors and occupants. Instead of masking the smell with a deodorizer, we recommend a permanent solution. For this, you need a sofa or furniture cleaner and baking soda.Contrary to popular belief, baking soda is not only useful for baking. Instead, it works as a very effective cleaning agent. This is because it loosens stains and removes odours. If you want, you can use a homemade baking soda without buying it from the market.After removing crumbs from the surface, sprinkle some baking soda on the sofa’s surface and let it sit in for about 20 minutes. Then, use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to get rid of the smell. If there is a stubborn stain, mix a dry carpet or sofa cleaner with baking soda and let it sit for another 20 minutes.For more persistent stains, use:
Warm water
Baking soda
White vinegar
Washing-up liquid
Mix the white vinegar, baking soda, and washing-up liquid in warm water and let it lather. Then, apply it to the spots you want to clean on your fabric corner sofa. Let it sit in till it dries, and wipe the surface clean with a dry cloth.Wipe the corners and exposed hard surfaces
Use a Steam Cleaner and a Water-based Detergent
Fabric conditioners are handy for making soiled debris and oil removal easy during shampooing. However, we recommend that you try it on a spot before using it on the entire sofa surface to avoid discolouration. After the spot test, spray the pre-conditioner on the sofa surface.Then, mix a water-based detergent into a bowl of water and dip a rag into the solution. Like you did with the conditioner, rub the rag on a portion of the sofa and let it sit in for some minutes to know if it will discolour your sofa.Pour the solution into a steam cleaner and place the nozzle close to the fabric. Then, release the trigger button and move it across your sofa in a pattern to ensure even distribution. Repeat this process until you are satisfied. However, don’t over-shampoo any area to avoid permanent discolouration. Then leave the sofa to dry.
Use a Leather Cleaner
Buy a leather cleaner that won’t harm your leather sofa and wipe it down with a moist rag. Be careful not to use harsh chemicals to avoid discolouration. For example, white vinegar is an excellent leather cleaner.Mix a small quantity of white vinegar with water in a bowl and apply it to a rag. After a spot test, use a damp and, not a soaked wet rag to wipe the entire sofa surface. Then, use a new dry and fresh rag to wipe the leather to remove the cleaning product. You can also use a leather conditioner like lemon, flaxseed, and other natural oils to disinfect the leather.
How to Clean a Fabric Corner Sofa?
Choose a drycleaning solvent online or from a grocery store. Since dry-cleaning solutions come with a strong odour, we recommend you open the windows and doors to let the air circulate.Apply the solution to a clean rag instead of directly on the surface and follow the package guidelines. More importantly, spot-test the solution to avoid discolouration. Press the rag with the fabric cleaner against stains intermittently and not with impatience to avoid harming the fabric.In essence, take small breaks to let the solvent dry before reapplying. Be careful not to leave the chemicals in for too long as they can discolour your fabric. Use water to moisten a new cloth till it is damp, blot it over the stain, and wring it out as necessary.
Leather and fabric corner sofas deserve all the care you can give them. With the right products and regular maintenance, you will keep your corner sofas in good and pristine conditions for years.
