However gorgeous they may be (and however strict you may be with pets/children/guests), soft furnishings are pretty much there to be touched, sat on and even chucked around a bit, so they will pick up grime along the way. Unless you have a thing about rubber, most soft furnishings can’t just be wiped down, which makes cleaning tricky, but fortunately we have all the info you need to make them lovely once more.
By Kerry Young
Just like anything else, a once over with the vacuum cleaner from time to time will keep your upholstered furniture looking nicer for longer. Use the appropriate tools and try to get right into all the nooks and crannies. Once your sofa goes beyond just dust into undeniable stain, there are ways of making it clean, but always check the label first to save yourself expensive mistakes.
If your sofa has them then you can 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.
For those that can withstand water, 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. If this test looks okay, lightly dab the solution onto the stain, then use a clean cloth and water to rinse the area. 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. If all else fails – resort to chemical warfare. There are lots of proprietary cleaners for this type of task, so try to get one that is best suited to your fabric. Try HG Spot & Stain remover, £3.85 for 500ml.
Leather furniture can be kept looking tip-top with regular vacuuming. A wipe over with a damp cloth with remove any surface grime and you can polish up the hide with a solution of two parts linseed oil and one part vinegar – test on a hidden area first to be safe. Tougher stains will need to be tackled with a specialist cleaning product, such as the Complete Leather Care Kit, £12.99, Lakeland.
Marks on suede can often be brushed off, or try using an artist’s eraser.
The cushion pad is generally protected from grime by the cushion cover, so won’t need much in the way of cleaning. Spillages do happen, however, and if you find yourself needing to wash a cushion pad, check first what the filling is. They usually divide into polyester or feather fillings. Feather-filled cushions pads are sometimes machine washable (check label) or dry-clean only, polyester pads can usually be hand washed. Use a mild detergent and allow to dry naturally. Polyester filled cushions can be lightly vacuumed to keep them dust free, but this is best avoided on feather-filled types as it may remove the feathers. As for the cushion covers, the level of cleaning depends on the materials they are made of – some can be washed in the machine, some can be sponged and others are the dreaded dry clean only. Check the label – preferably before you buy!
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