A white sofa works in any interior, it always looks cool and stylish, but only when it is perfect and clean, otherwise the visual effect will be exactly the opposite. It is not always possible to maintain snow white color of the upholstery for a long time, light-colored fabrics require frequent cleaning and care. You don’t have to call on professional cleaners to clean your sofa, you can remove stains at home, you just need to know how to do it right.
Highlights
First, you should decide on the type of cleaner you want to use. Specialized household detergents remove stains on light-colored fabric faster and easier, however, such products are more expensive and if used improperly, can pose a health hazard. Traditional recipes are safe and economical, but will require patience and skill from the housewife.
You also need to consider whether it is possible to just remove the upholstery from the sofa. Some models allow you to do it with a simple movement, you just need to unzip it. In this case, removable cover can be taken to a dry-cleaner’s or washed at home, following the care label instructions. Not every sofa upholstery can be washed in a washer, because the fabric can run up or stretch out, and buying a replacement will be expensive.
Some experts do not recommend using a vacuum cleaner when cleaning upholstered furniture since this can disrupt the structure of the filler. However, there is no other way to remove dust from the sofa, so you can use a vacuum cleaner, but gently. It is better to just use a special nozzle for soft furniture and, if possible, reduce the power on the device.
Light-colored and especially white fabrics require constant attention. The sooner you spot the dirt, the higher the probability of removing it without much effort and cost. Moreover, you should carry out preventive cleaning at least once a month to refresh the color and keep upholstery in good condition.
Regardless of what method you choose for cleaning your sofa, do not try several methods at once. The desire to achieve a more better result can lead to damage of upholstery color or structure, meaning you would have to replace it. Also, don’t try too many different methods if some didn’t work. In this case, it is better to give the upholstery to the dry-cleaner’s.
Household cleaners
It is not at all difficult to find suitable detergent for cleaning the sofa at home. You can use both a specialized product for upholstered furniture, and carpet cleaners. For light-colored materials, you should look at a label for cleaning instructions. Here are a few of the most popular detergents that will help you clean a white sofa quickly and efficiently:
- Vanish. The principle of this stain remover is that it is whipped into a lather and applied to the surface that needs to be cleaned. The foam absorbs specks of dirt, and after drying, it must be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and the upholstery will be clean again.
- Amway. This upholstery detergent should be whipped into a lather, just like “Vanish”, and many housewives actually prefer Amway.
- Nordland. This brand makes a ready-made carpet and upholstery cleaning foam. It does not affect the structure and shade of the fabric, and allows you to remove even the old stains.
- Dr. Beckmann. The stain removers of this brand can be used when there are stubborn stains on a white sofa, for example, from grass, coffee, wine, blood, etc.
- Dry cleaning powders. These powders can even be used to clean delicate fabrics. Sprinkle the powder on the contaminated surface and wait for it to absorb the dirt, then remove residues with a vacuum cleaner.
Natural home remedies
You can use natural home remedies to clean up any stains from any surfaces at home, but you need to know exactly which method to apply. If you make a mistake, you can achieve the opposite effect – the dirt will fall into the upholstery, and it will be much more difficult to clean.
Dirt spots
White sofa upholstery quickly absorbs any dirt, whether it is street dirt, household stains, or results of prolonged use. You have to remove such stains immediately, otherwise, they will absorb into the material more and more, and new stains will be added.
You can get rid of the dirt with a simple soap solution. It can be prepared using any soap, laundry or dish detergent. Treat all the upholstery with the solution, then remove the residue with a damp cloth or sponge, and dry the material. If you have persistent stains, you can leave the soap on the upholstery for additional 15-20 minutes.
Do not use too much soap in one spot, otherwise, you will have to rinse the upholstery with lots of water.
Urine stains
If there is a child, a bed-bound person, or pets in your house, the problems with stains and smell of urine can occur constantly. There is an effective method for this, which will allow the snow-white upholstery to return to its previous appearance without harm to its structure or shade.
First, you should dry the stain well so that it does not spread, you can use napkins, newspapers or any other paper, you can also use a hairdryer. After that, lather a sponge with laundry or children’s soap and treat the stain abundantly. Then dilute 1-2 tablespoons of table vinegar or lemon juice in a liter of water, and wash off the soap residue with this solution. At the end of processing, dry the material by putting a dry cloth on the stain and ironing it if the fabric allows.
Coffee and tea stains
Stains from spilled coffee or tea is especially noticeable on white upholstery, and because this nuisance can happen quite often, you should know how to clean the sofa at home in this instance. To cope with this problem, all you need is a piece of lye soap.
First, dampen the upholstery with water, then rub it with lye soap until a light lather forms. Then rub the contaminated area with a hard brush, and leave the sofa for 10-15 minutes. Then wash the remaining soap off with a sponge dipped in water. You can add a couple of teaspoons of salt, then cleaning will be more productive.
Wine stains
Red wine spilled on the white sofa can also be an issue, since this is a tough stain to remove. You have to apply your natural home remedies as soon as the stain occurs. Otherwise, it will dry out and can only be removed with the help of dry cleaning or specialized detergents.
First, you need to dab the stain with napkins or paper so that you contain it as much as possible. Then the still not dried spot should be covered with a thick layer of table salt and left for 10-15 minutes so that the salt draws out moisture. After that, the salt is removed with a stiff brush, and the remains of the stain are removed using a light soap solution.
Grease stains
The white upholstery of the sofa can be soiled by greasy foods, so you need to know how to clean upholstered furniture. Generally, you need to act immediately so that the stain does not soak into the sofa, otherwise, it might become impossible to remove with home remedies. To remove excess grease, sprinkle with salt, soda or starch, and leave for 15 minutes. After that, the dry stain is removed with a soap solution and a soft sponge. It is best to use dish soap. For the best effect, it is recommended to leave the soap solution in place for another 15 minutes, and then rinse with clean water.