How to clean a sofa at home by fabric type

You can clean a sofa safely at home if you first find the cleaning code on the label (W, S, W/S or X), test the product on a hidden spot, vacuum the sofa thoroughly and only blot stains, using as little water as possible. Fabric with code W can be cleaned with water and a mild detergent, code S cannot tolerate water, and with code X you should skip wet cleaning at home. Finally, let the sofa dry completely.

Upholstery cleaning codes: W, S, W/S and X

The cleaning code is usually on a label under the seat cushion, on the underside of the sofa or in the instructions. The furniture manufacturer American Leather explains them as follows (American Leather: Explaining Fabric Cleaning Codes):

If the label is missing, proceed as you would with the most delicate fabric: vacuuming, a dry brush and, for stains, as little water as possible. You can also ask the furniture retailer for the code.

Testing on a hidden spot

Test every product, even a home remedy, on a spot that cannot be seen, for example on the back or under the seat cushion. IKEA recommends testing a fabric cleaner on a small area first to make sure it does not change the colour of the fabric (IKEA Canada: How to clean a couch).

1. Apply a small amount of the product to a white cloth, not directly to the fabric.
2. Press lightly on the hidden spot and blot.
3. Let it dry completely.
4. Check whether the colour, texture or sheen has changed and whether the white cloth has picked up any colour. If so, do not use the product.

Regular care: vacuuming

Dust and crumbs work their way into the fibres and gradually wear the fabric down. Vacuum the sofa regularly with the upholstery nozzle, including the folds, seams and the space under the cushions. IKEA advises using a lower suction power, as suction that is too strong can damage the cover (IKEA Switzerland: Cleaning upholstery).

When vacuuming, take out removable seat cushions and pillows and turn them over. If you always sit in the same place, rotating the cushions makes the fabric wear more evenly.

Fabric sofas and stains

With stains, speed is what matters. IKEA recommends using as little water as possible, working with a damp cloth and treating stains as soon as they appear; it says to blot liquid carefully and without rubbing so that water marks do not form, and then to sprinkle a little salt on the stain (IKEA Switzerland). Vacuum the salt up once it has dried.

For fabric with code W or W/S, proceed as follows:

1. Remove any dirt that can be lifted off with a spoon or the blunt side of a knife, working from the edge towards the centre.
2. Soak up the liquid with a dry white cloth for as long as it transfers.
3. Add a few drops of mild detergent to lukewarm water, wring the cloth out well and blot the stain from the edge towards the centre.
4. Blot again with a cloth dampened with clean water so that no detergent remains in the fabric.
5. Dry with a dry cloth and leave to air dry.

For code S, do not use water at all; use a solvent-based cleaner intended for upholstery. Work with the window open and wear gloves, and follow the label instructions. We write about wine stains in more detail in the article red wine stain: what to do immediately and afterwards.

Microfibre and velvet

Microfibre and velvet are sensitive to pressure and rubbing, which leave lighter or dull patches. IKEA states that oil-based products should not be used on microfibre (IKEA Switzerland). Only blot stains gently, and if the fabric becomes stiff after drying or the pile sticks together, comb it with a soft brush in the direction of the pile.

Leather and faux leather sofas

Leather needs different care from fabric. According to IKEA, light soiling can simply be wiped off with a damp cloth without harsh chemical cleaners, and the surface should then be treated with a leather care product that moisturises and protects it; wipe faux leather gently and do not use greasy household cleaners on it (IKEA Switzerland). The same manufacturer warns that neither genuine nor faux leather tolerates heat, for example a spot next to a radiator, or direct sun.

• Wipe off dust with a dry, soft cloth.
• Soak up spilled liquid immediately; do not soak the leather.
• Test the leather care product on a hidden spot, especially for suede and nubuck, which are cleaned differently from smooth leather.
• If your sofa has its own leather care instructions, they take precedence over general advice.

Removable covers

According to IKEA, removable covers can be machine washed (IKEA Canada), but the temperature and drying method are always determined by the label on the specific cover. Put the cover back on while still slightly damp only if the instructions expressly recommend it; otherwise let it dry completely. Wash all parts of the same sofa at once so that any change in shade shows up evenly.

Drying and odour

After wet cleaning, the sofa must dry completely; IKEA stresses that patience is needed (IKEA Switzerland). Open a window, stand the cushions on their side and do not sit on any areas that are still damp. Do not dry upholstery with a hairdryer or next to a heater.

Odour from a fabric sofa can often be reduced by thorough vacuuming and airing. If the odour returns after drying, it is in the filling, and home cleaning is usually not enough to deal with it.

Pet hair and crumbs

Hair gets caught deeper in upholstery than dust, and a vacuum cleaner alone often cannot pull it out. A damp rubber glove or rubber squeegee helps: run it over the fabric in one direction to gather the hair into a pile, and only then vacuum. For delicate fabrics and velvet, try the glove on a hidden spot first.

If a pet sleeps on the sofa, place a washable blanket or throw in its spot and wash it according to the label. It saves both the upholstery and time.

How often to clean a sofa

• As you go: treat stains and spilled liquids immediately; dried ones are much harder to remove.
• Weekly: vacuum the surface, folds and the space under the cushions, and more often in households with pets.
• Several times a year: turn and swap the cushions, wash removable covers and throws according to the label, and treat leather with a care product according to the instructions.
• As needed: deep cleaning of the whole surface when the sofa looks greyish or smells.

Cleaning the sofa is also part of the deep cleaning checklist for a flat.

When to choose upholstery shampooing

Home cleaning can handle regular care and fresh stains. Upholstery shampooing makes sense when the sofa looks greyish overall, the stains are old or extensive, the odour keeps returning, or when the code is W or W/S and you need to clean the whole surface at once rather than individual spots. With code X, consult the retailer or a company that cleans upholstery. We describe how sofa shampooing works on a separate page. Similar principles apply to carpets, see how to clean a carpet at home.