Cleaning a Couch
The couch can become of the dirtiest and messiest parts of the house, despite the expense associated with it. It is also a piece of furniture that is often not considered as needed to be cleaned. There are ways to clean your couch, however, despite these former belief systems.
When beginning to clean your couch, it is important to look at the labels in order to understand how best to clean it. Following the label instructions will prevent further damage. These labels are W for water, S for solvent, WS for water or solvent and X for only dry cleaning. Continue reading below to learn more about each.
Cleaning with Water
If your couch has the W symbol on the label, this means it should only be cleaned with water. Do not use any cleaning solutions if your couch has the W symbol. You can use water and cleaning solution if it has the WS symbol.
When cleaning with water, use two cups of water with one tablespoon of dish soap and vinegar. Any stains should then be blotted, then blotted again with just water. Dry the area with a cloth in order to allow the couch to dry quickly for use again.
Cleaning with Solvents
Solvents are cleaning products that can be utilized on furniture such as couches. You will see a WS or a S symbol if you are able to utilize these cleaning products. Sometimes, your label will even state exactly what solvent to utilize.
After purchasing the solvent, be sure to read the directions fully. Understand exactly the amount of the product to use and how to use it. Follow the directions for care in use as well to keep you and your loved ones safe. When you are finished, be sure to dry the area with a clean cloth.
Cleaning Utilizing the Dry Method
When needing to dry your couch with only dry cloths, you will see an X on the label. This means that no water and no solvent should be utilized on your couch to prevent damage to it. There are specialized tools that should be utilized by dry cleaning your couch.
First, use a bristle brush over the couch. This will pull up dirt. From there, you can use generic household products such as baking soda. This will pull out any leftover stains as well which can simply be vacuumed.
Final Thoughts
There are some cases in which any of the three above methods will either not work or will create a larger mess. Many of these instances involve when ink has stained your coach. Ink is easily removed by blotting the stain with rubbing alcohol. Another instance is crayon stains which can be removed with WD40.
No matter the method you use, be sure to make sure the area is dry before sitting back on your coach. A much cleaner will couch will make guests and family feel more comfortable. It will also give your home a more pleasant appearance.
