Logo image
Logo image

How to Clean a Fabric Sofa? We'll Teach You!

4 minutes
Start reading to discover the tricks to clean your fabric sofa. We present some simple, yet effective ideas.
How to Clean a Fabric Sofa? We'll Teach You!
Last update: 17 July, 2021

If you want to clean your fabric sofa, this article is a must-read. We’ll show you how easy it is to keep this type of sofa clean, so you won’t have to suffer every time someone sits down with a drink in hand or brings their shoes too close.

That’s right, you can sit in total comfort when you’re tired from work or even let your pet sit next to you without thinking about the little footprints. Don’t wear yourself out imagining being a slave to the sofa to keep the fabric in optimal condition. There are different ways to clean it.

1. Use vinegar and baking soda

Some figure

Vinegar and bicarbonate are two natural and essential products in the cleaning process. Besides being organic, they have high deodorizing and disinfectant properties. So take note because this is how you should use them to clean your fabric sofa:

  • Dilute a glass of vinegar and a small tablespoon of baking soda in a liter of water.
  • Dampen a clean cloth or cloth and use circular motions to wipe the sofa.
  • Make special emphasis on the areas most affected by dirt or those with visible stains.

2. Clean with sodium percarbonate

Sodium percarbonate is a derivative of carbon with outstanding cleaning qualities. In several countries in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Central America it’s used in the production of detergents.

In addition to cleaning, it deodorizes, bleaches, and removes stubborn stains, so it’s ideal for cleaning white fabric sofas. Follow these steps to use it at home:

  • Dilute two tablespoons of percarbonate in one liter of water.
  • Use a cloth to dampen it and rub the fabric sofa.
  • Let the liquid sit for ten minutes and use a soft brush to remove it.
  • If residue remains, rinse with water and let it dry well.

3. You can also choose hydrogen peroxide

As supported by studies, hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide solution has long been used as a disinfectant, not only for surfaces but also for wounds. This is a product that’ll not only not damage the fabric but will help to remove sweat and blood stains very easily. Use it like this:

  • In one liter of water dilute 20 milliliters of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Take a clean cloth, moisten it in the preparation, and wipe the sofa.
  • Focus on the most difficult to remove stains and let it work for five minutes.
  • Take another cloth and moisten it with clean water to remove the solution.
  • Let the sofa dry well.

4. Don’t complicate matters: take out the steamer

Some figure

The steamer is one of the top appliances, it’s very efficient when it comes to cleaning. Using it’ll allow you to remove all those tough and stubborn stains once and for all.

For best results, apply one of the tricks that we’ve taught you and finish the task with this appliance. Put it in clean steam mode and that’s it, let the steam finish the job. Then let the sofa dry.

If you have any questions about using hot steam to clean your fabric sofa, check the instructions and recommendations of your sofa manufacturer.

How to dry clean a fabric sofa?

The tricks we’ve given you include the use of water, an option that isn’t valid if your house doesn’t have a good air intake or natural light that contributes to quick drying. For this reason, and to avoid humidity problems, we’ll show you how you can dry clean the fabric sofa.

  • The first thing you should do is vacuum your sofa very well. In fact, this step should always be the first step regardless of the cleaning method.
  • Second, choose between a little hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and clean the surface.
  • Third, with a dry cloth remove the product you used.
  • Fourth, to remove the bad smells, apply baking soda powder on the sofa and leave it for five minutes.
  • Fifth, vacuum the couch again.

It’s that easy to clean a fabric sofa!

If your fabric sofa isn’t that dirty, you’ll get fast results by applying any of these cleaning tricks. If, on the other hand, your sofa has been dirty for a long time, it’s likely that the stains won’t come off so easily. In that case, plan regular cleaning days and make sure that you keep on top of your cleaning routine.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • González, L. Antisépticos y desinfectantes. Offarm. Vol. 22. Núm. 3. 2003.
  • Jiménez F., M., Orrego L., S., Orozco G., A., & Devia P., J. (2011). Proceso para producir percarbonato de sodio a escala piloto. Revista Universidad EAFIT, 45(154), 19-30. Recuperado a partir de https://publicaciones.eafit.edu.co/index.php/revista-universidad-eafit/article/view/66