The sofa in your living room has certainly witnessed all the spills and spots of hot gravy, inks, red wine, and pet urine – the major highlights of your life. And, undoubtedly, it holds memories of a lifetime too. 

Moreover, a sofa is a place where your kids sit, nap, and grow as an adult while watching television. So, it’s extremely important to clean upholstery sofas to avoid it brimming with allergens and dust that can make your family ill. 

So start with vacuuming your fabric couch or wiping down your faux leather to get rid of dirt, light soil, debris, and strays of pet hairs. If you know how to clean the sofa, then you must know how to clean the stains. 

And, if you are looking for some DIY sofa cleaning hacks to lift stains, spots, and grease from your sofa, continue reading the article. 

Vacuuming the sofa or the couch 

Before you start scrubbing with your homemade sofa cleaner, make sure you vacuum your upholstery. Break your vacuum’s hose attachment and remove the cushions. Start vacuuming each side of the cushion – front and back, and an arm of the furniture. 

So, whether it is dust or spills or any food leftover, vacuuming will pull out the impurities and hidden souls from couch corners and surfaces. This further makes your sofa cleaning process much easier and more convenient. 

TIP: You are bound to achieve good results if you vacuum your sofa once a week. 

Odor removal 

Are you tired of the unpleasant odor from your sofa? Have you tried baking soda as a part of the cleaning treatment? 

Baking soda is one of the best cleaning treatments for removing odors and loosening stains from your sofa. All your need to do is prepare a mixture of baking soda and water in equal proportions. 

Mix it well and apply it to the sofa. Either we wet or dry it, let it sit for at most 20 minutes. Once the solution has fully absorbed the stain, start vacuuming using a brush attachment. 

Always spot-test the cleaning solution before applying it fully on your sofa. This can prevent early damage. 

Stain Removal

  • Paints and Grease: If you want to remove paints and grease stains from your upholstery, prepare a cleaning solution of vinegar or baking soda. Take a toothbrush and rub it on the sofa after applying the solution. This will help you in lightening the stains on your sofa and bring back its original appearance.



  • Water Stains: Yes, water can also leave stains on your sofa. However, water stains can be removed easily without much hassle. All you have to do is wet a washcloth or a napkin and gently dab it on the stain. You can also dip the soft-bristled toothbrush into vinegar and gently scrub on the stains.



  • Gravy:



    Did you just spot dried gravy stains on your sofa? 



    Firstly, scrape off the dried bits from your sofa. If the stain is wet, use cornstarch and dry the stain first. Now, vacuum the surface of the couch to lift the stains from your upholstery. 



    If you still find stains on your sofa, it’s time to prepare a DIY cleaning solution. Prepare a mixture of one tablespoon of dish soap and two cups of hot water. Stir thoroughly and dip the sponge into the solution. Apply it on the stains until it disappears completely. 



    Take a new sponge and dip it into fresh water to remove soapy residue. Dab it with a dry cloth to soak up the wetness.   

Cleaning solutions based on the type of fabric 

It’s important to select a cleaning solution based on the type of fabric. No one solution fits all types of fabric. Know how you can clean a sofa based on the type of fabric:

  • Fabric Upholstery 

Prepare a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Mix it well and pour it into the spray bottle. Apply it on the soiled area and scrub using a soft cloth until the stains disappear. Use another cloth to absorb the soap residue.Now let it dry naturally. 

  • Leather upholstery 

Leather upholstery is vulnerable to stains and spillages. Therefore, to treat the rigid stains, you can use a combination of water and rubbing alcohol. This combination will treat mold, ink stains, and darker stains. 

In case of horror permanent marks, use Aerosol sprays for treating the affected areas. For lifting grease from your sofa, mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar. Pour it into a spray bottle and apply on the surface of the couch and buff it with a clean soft cloth. 

  • Synthetic upholstery 

Are you wondering how to clean upholstery with synthetic fabric? Prepare a mixture of one cup of warm water, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of liquid dish soap or Castile soap. Pour it into the spray bottle and apply it to the affected area. Mist the soiled portion of your sofa and scrub gently with a soft cloth until the stain disappears. 

A Note On Deep Cleaning your sofa 

Sofas often add elegance to your home décor. Any spills or stains can damage your sofa affecting its appearance at the helm. By using these above-mentioned DIY tricks, you can get rid of all the stains and spots, and allergens. 

However, sometimes, the best sofa cleaning efforts at home won't cut it. If your child spilled the gravy or your friend dropped an entire glass of wine on a couch or your pet had a smelly accident, you need to take it to professionals for Upholstery cleaning in Carlsbad for deep cleaning. Take an appointment from your trusted cleaning experts and keep all stains at bay.