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Sofa cleaning tips: Keep your settee looking fresh

From your nightly retreat to duvet days, movie marathons and cuppas with friends, your sofa is the setting for many of life's daily events. Here are my quick tips to giving your sofa a refresh.

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Quite often the staple piece of the living room, your sofa goes through a lot on a day to day basis - from being your sanctuary to offering a place to entertain. Perhaps it’s your furry friend’s favourite place to nap or where you like to spend some downtime catching up on your favourite shows.


As a prized piece of furniture, your sofa needs a little care to keep it in good condition. Looking after it needn’t be a chore, as you’ll see with my handy top tips that’ll help you stay on top of your sofa maintenance, ensuring it stays looking its best for many years to come. 



6 ways to clean and care for your sofa everyday


Keeping it in great condition can take just a couple of minutes of your day. Here is my everyday advice for keeping your sofa looking and feeling tip-top on a frequent basis:


  1. If your cushions are detachable, remember to plump them up weekly to keep the fillings in their fullest shape
  2. If your seats are removable, switch them from side to side to prevent any dipping in your usual spot 
  3. To keep your leather sofa looking taut, I recommend smoothing it out when needed as this will put air back into the cushions
  4. Try to avoid sitting on the arms or the front edge as this can accelerate the wear of your beloved sofa 
  5. If your seats are upholstered on both sides, regularly turn them as this helps retain their shape
  6. For maximum comfort, sit centrally on the cushions as much as possible

Tips for cleaning your leather sofa


When it comes to keeping a leather sofa clean, there are a few things I want you to remember. Let’s take a look at the dos and don'ts for prolonging the beautiful appearance and comfort of your leather sofa. 


Do

  • Gently vacuum your leather sofa with a soft brush attachment 
  • Always clean up any spillages with a clean, damp cloth as soon as possible 
  • Frequently plump up and rotate your sofa cushions to help maintain their appearance and durability
  • Pay attention to the front of your sofa arms as, over time, dulling and abrasion can occur if spills are left unattended 
  • Proactively protect your leather with specialist products and refer to your manufacturer’s guide if you’re unsure

Don't

  • Don’t let your leather sofa be exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as this can dull the colour 
  • Don’t overdo it with the cleaning products and particularly avoid detergent
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Tips for cleaning your fabric sofa


Keep your fabric sofa looking and feeling its best by following our handy dos or dont's when it comes to your upholstered furniture. 


Do 

  • Gently vacuum once a week with a soft brush attachment to remove any unwanted dust or debris 
  • Check whether the cushion covers are washable before putting them in the washing machine
  • Make sure to pay attention to the areas where natural oils can build up e.g. the headrest and arms


Don't

  • Don’t leave stains unattended for an extended period of time as this is when they become more difficult to remove 
  • Don’t rub too vigorously for fear you may force the stain even further into the fabric and this can even result in wearing the affected area 
  • Don’t use hot water or a sodden cloth, only use a damp cloth when treating stains or spills 
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I hope you have found my advice useful and have all the information you need for keeping your sofa looking as good as new for many years to come.  


For more advice on keeping your sofas in great condition, read our care guides, for your fabric sofa or for your leather sofa.

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Paul O'Reilly

Written by:

Upholstery Service Manager

at ScS

28th April 2022

With over 30 years of experience working within Upholstery and nearly 20 years of service at ScS, Paul knows a thing or two about sofas. Along the way, Paul has trained in all areas of upholstery, modern and traditional, antiques and factory-produced pieces, creating, and restoring. Paul is passionate about making sure upholstery is properly cared for. His top tip is to care for the cushions on your sofa like you would do your pillows on the bed; dress them, plump them, smooth them and turn them. Spending just 5 minutes a day can keep you sofa looking its best.