Sofa. How To Clean Upholstery

Cleaning How To Clean Upholstery

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Date Published:
03/10/2008

There are ways of dealing with sofa cover crises, but always check the label first to save yourself expensive mistakes.

Every week: a once over with the vacuum will keep your upholstered furniture looking nicer for longer. Use the appropriate tools and try to get right into all the nooks and crannies.

Clean loose covers: Simply pull them off and clean them – hurrah. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions – some covers may be dry clean only. If they are washable, replace the covers when they are slightly damp (but not wet) to recreate the shape and fit.

Sofa. How To Clean Upholsteryl.

Clean washable fixed covers: A mild solution of washing-up liquid or laundry detergent and warm water should shift unsightly marks. Test it on a hidden area first and allow to dry to check it won’t damage the fabric. Take care not to get the area too wet and dry as quickly as you can – dab off what you can with a dry cloth, open windows or even get the hairdryer out. A slightly stronger cleaner for upholstery is vinegar – dab neat white vinegar onto the stain, then follow with a mild soap solution, followed by plenty of clean water and dry quickly, as above.

Look at the Stains section for targeted cleaners for different types of stain.

Top User Tips... Share Yours Below

In a clean spray bottle pour in a small amount of fabric softener and some water to make your bed, sofa and curtains etc, smell really nice and fresh.
Posted by charlene3103

Always check manufacturer's instructions first. Always try a test patch first. If you are unsure as to whether the item you are cleaning is suitable for our instructions, take professional cleaning advice first.

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  1. Hi, I have a second hand high chair that smells of stale smoke. I have scrubbed the frame and that seems to be ok but the plastic covered foam seat cover is holding the smell. I have put it through the washing machine on a delicate cycle and this has made some difference but the smell is still there. Any ideas what to try next? Thanks x
    Posted by sara on 19/11/2009 21:31:32
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  2. can you tell me how to get raid of the smell of sick on a chair
    Posted by NEILD on 17/11/2009 17:23:05
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  3. Hi, my friend has a dog and she has 2 sofas and I am sure that the dog pees on them as you can smell it when you go in her front room, has anyone got any ideas how she can clean it without too much fuss as she has MS?
    Posted by lottiemouse on 06/11/2009 13:09:41
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  4. I always avoid machine washing removable covers, even when the label says it is all right. In the past I've had problems with significant shrinkage when washing with machine not to mention damage to the zipper pulls. Once we even had to have the machine serviced when a decorative button came off in the wash and got jammed in between a crack separating two moving parts. That was an expensive lesson learned. Now it's all hand-washing, all the time.
    Posted by Steve -The Tapestry House on 29/10/2009 05:06:53
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  5. I watch the ladies and their suggestions most nights. I had muddy footprints on a cream carpet. So much so that a cloth was just spreading the mess. I tried cornflour remembering that Kim used it to grip dirt for windows. I used the cornflour neat and after rubbing it in by hand, it hoovered up with no mess left! None! The engineer who was responsible was quite releived as he had offered to scrub the marks. He had felt bad at leaving my carpet in such a state. I showed him the results and he said he would keep it in mind for if that happens again. The cornflour windows solution works really well too!
    Posted by julzinedin on 13/10/2009 02:29:17
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  6. i have 4 dogs and my husband keeps them mainly in the master bedroom. the carpet smells it is just filthy. what can i use on the carpet and to just give the room an overall deep cleaning?
    Posted by cheryl on 13/10/2009 01:36:25
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  7. how do you remove hair dye from cream leather suite
    Posted by jeanette on 03/10/2009 10:58:54
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  8. my friend has cat pee on her sofa and it absolutely stinks!! how can she remove the smell without damaging her sofa????
    Posted by claire on 30/09/2009 09:28:42
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  9. How should I clean the cream suede arms of my sofa and chair? Is it the same as other soft furnishing? They are grubby and have one or two stains. The cushion covers are corduroy and will go in the wash.
    Posted by Elizabeth on 27/09/2009 19:31:53
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  10. I HAVE A UPHOLSTERY BEDSTEAD AND CLEANED IT WITH VARNISH LIQUID AND IT HAS LEFT A WATER MARK WHAT SHOULD i DO tHANK YOU
    Posted by gloria long on 21/09/2009 10:47:34
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  11. my towels have gone hard, possibly due to the water here, how can i make them softer, i have tried fabric softener. thanks and carry on the great work....x x
    Posted by lynne on 17/09/2009 14:35:03
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  12. How can I clean greasy head-marks off a bed headboard?
    Posted by houseproud on 16/09/2009 16:42:01
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  13. Wet washing left on fabric chair has left huge water mark How do i get this out please, can not take covers off.
    Posted by alison on 10/09/2009 21:20:32
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  14. I have tried to get rid of limescale on my tabs. I saw it on your show but have forgotten as I never wrote it down. please help. I t is so ugly
    Posted by ramona odubena on 04/09/2009 18:05:40
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  15. I am at my wits end. We have been in a rented property for 2 months, it was grimy when we moved in but needed somewhere that would allow dogs, so we took it. i clean every day and it still feels dirty and disgusting. now to top it off my dog has started moulting horrendously and i cant get rid of the dog hairs, they are everywhere. They stick to, i`ve tried microfibre cloths and everything. the place needs a dam good repainting but as we rent i`m relunctant to spend the money on the place. hopefully will be buying after our tenancy is up but any suggestions to get me through the next 4 months before i crack up?? i have a toddler and one on the way, and even when the place is tidy its still grimy, very upsetting :(
    Posted by weeziebutton on 28/08/2009 07:56:54
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  16. hi i`ve got a son thats had a few accidents in my bed. i`ve got most of the stains off but how can i get rid of the stench? its really driving me nuts now because i`ve tried everything.
    Posted by claire on 20/08/2009 19:28:59
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  17. I have a micro-swade couch, off white/cream color. My son has gotten gum on one of the pillows and the couch itself. I do not want to ruin the fabric and would like to know if you have any tips for getting it off without too much trouble. Please help! Thank you!!
    Posted by quetiepie0901 on 17/08/2009 04:01:28
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  18. HAS ANYBODY GOT ANY IDEAS HOW BEST TO STOP FLIES DURING SUMMER MAKING MESS ON PVC WINDOWS?
    Posted by HAF on 13/08/2009 23:00:40
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  19. i just love your web page....couldnt do without it now...
    Posted by joan on 10/08/2009 23:11:23
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  20. How do i clean vertical blinds??
    Posted by Louise on 07/08/2009 18:29:18
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  21. my daughter often wets the bed it has now soaked into the mattress i've tried everthing i can think off please help me get rid of the smell
    Posted by smayo on 04/08/2009 18:09:23
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  22. Can anyone tell me how to get the smell of spilled milk out of my car upholstery? I was wondering if Bicarb of Soda would help, but have lost about a pint of milk into the stuffing within my front passenger seat (Tip: Always check the lid of milk bottles is securely fastened, and never hurl it onto your passenger seat in a rush, instead, place it on a waterproof mat on the floor, not on your highly absorbant, hard to clean seat upholstery)which now smells so bad I have to drive with all the windows open, whilst breathing through my mouth! Would be most grateful for help, Lorna.
    Posted by Lorna Peacock on 29/07/2009 15:28:32
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  23. I have a cream irish linen chair with a watermark on the arm I do I get rid of this
    Posted by Sue Oram on 26/07/2009 16:00:46
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  24. how can i remove yobacco smell from my 3 piece fabric setee. unable to remove covers. please help
    Posted by alan on 23/07/2009 12:58:10
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  25. How do I remove a strong smell of cat urine from a sofa and a mattress? Thanks
    Posted by P on 17/07/2009 13:21:48
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  26. please help...i bought a black fabric sofa but no cover is removable..my daughta had a party and lager got spilt on them now it has white marks all over what can i use to get rid of them...thankyou
    Posted by miss robertson on 08/07/2009 17:18:31
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  27. Hi Aggie and Kim I Just recently re-homed my cat and now the hot weather is here i have started to smell cat pee on my sofas. The cushion covers arent removeable and i have tried to wash them already with baking soda and water.....but the smell is still quite prominant.....Can you please help as its a new sofa and im soo annoyed that she has pee'd on it.....the smell is disgusting..... thanks holly
    Posted by Holz on 07/07/2009 14:19:20
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  28. I have four dogs and a new baby has joined our household the carpets are in a bit of a state whats the best way to a) clean them up ready for crawling without replacing them b)keep them clean and germ free?? without having to part with the dogs. many thanks
    Posted by nfp20 on 17/06/2009 16:19:42
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  29. i left my pushchair in the shed an now it has mold grown intothe fabric! any ideas how to remove it??
    Posted by doris on 21/05/2009 12:20:03
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  30. hey kim and aggs.i had mucky lodgers staying in my spare room and they have left several ominous marks on my beige carpet.i think maybe mascara?i have used the 'rug doctor' but to no avail!help!yours truly,elizabeth benson,glasgow.x
    Posted by elizabeth benson on 20/05/2009 22:07:31
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  31. Hi, i have a faux leather suite (cream) and have recently found a red stain (i think it might be tomato sauce) how do i get it out, unfortunately the suite has what looks like grains and its in that,a neighbour suggested hairspray, ive tried this and it didn't work, could you please let me know how i could get it out thanks
    Posted by Carleen Maddison on 13/05/2009 12:32:28
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  32. I have some expensive lined cream curtains,which has some dryed in tip-x on,i have tryed a number of different products to remove this, but nothing has worked would you be able to assised me in trying to remove this please if possible?Thankyou,Bernie.
    Posted by Bernie Withers on 01/05/2009 22:29:54
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  33. My 8 year old son quite often has a blood nose. This was not an issue in our home in Australia as we did not have carpet in our home. We are currently renting and there is carpet in all rooms other than the kitchen and main bathroom. How do I clean blood spots from the cream carpet? Thank you for your assistance. Kind regards, Tammy.
    Posted by Tammy on 27/04/2009 22:24:44
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  34. i recently threw up on a carpet floor do youh no how to get the smell out it gettin worse
    Posted by Aimeebabes on 20/04/2009 21:44:24
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  35. I have a foam bed settee with fixed covers which has been sitting in a garage for 6 years and now has a damp mustie smell - how can I get rid of this smell so that I can start using it again?
    Posted by Hilary on 14/04/2009 16:10:44
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  36. My son scribbled on my new micro fiber sofa with a blank pen. I was horrified so I goggled it and was told to use hand sanitizer. It worked GREAT!!!!!!!!! It was like magic, as soon as I rubbed it on, the ink disappeared.
    Posted by Lynn on 24/03/2009 00:33:08
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  37. what can l use to clean and polish my leather sofa
    Posted by chiedza mposhi on 23/03/2009 18:09:23
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  38. would like to know what is the best way to remove a water mark on our car seat
    Posted by andrew on 28/02/2009 20:35:08
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  39. i was wondering if you can tell me how can you clean ink out of a suede chair?
    Posted by josie on 25/02/2009 21:36:05
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  40. I was wondering what the best to clean a mattress is> it is my son's single bed and the matteress has a lot of sweat stains so if you could give me any tips.
    Posted by Joyce Bodsworth on 15/02/2009 17:55:18
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  41. does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of the smell of cat urine on a matress.
    Posted by scott on 17/01/2009 19:05:23
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  42. HI I have suede lounge suite, i have terrible water marks on it.How do i get those stains off and whats the best way to clean suede. Please help. Thanks
    Posted by shakila on 17/12/2008 11:49:23
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  43. Help! I found a mark on a seat cushion. Kids obviously tried to clean with a kleenex. My husband used an upholstery fabric ( ZEP ) and then rinsed with water until soap was gone. Now I have a nice ring of a water mark. How do I get rid of a ring of a wark mark on an upholstered chair cushion.
    Posted by Kathy on 03/12/2008 18:05:29
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  44. Hi, we recently acquired by grandmother-in-laws 6 month old leather sofa... Unfortunatley both she and her husband are heavy smokers and even after wiping the leather down several times a day with damp clothes and leather wipes my living room really smells of stale smoke - especially in the morning when the room has been left closed overnight (to keep the cat out)... What can I do to shift the smell of smoke from the furniture? Thanks
    Posted by zimsunflower on 28/11/2008 06:57:03
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  45. I would like to know how is the best way to clean my bedroom carpet,colour which is beige, I have tried using the commercial cleaners, but the stains are still there. Can you please tell me what you would recommend, I have a vax cleaner to do the job.
    Posted by rosalind on 23/11/2008 20:43:56
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