This Is How to Clean Your Non-Removable Couch Cushions

Share this post:

Sofas and couches demand attention; they center a room and tell everybody where they’re going to gather.

That’s why you can see a sofa as a centerpiece in renowned TV shows, Friends being the best example of that.

The problem with sofas is that their cushions end up dirty, not just with food but with wear too, so upkeep and cleaning are essential to keep them looking nice and clean.

Not all couches have removable cushions. So, unfortunately, You can’t remove their covers and wash them separately. In this case, you’ll need to find an alternative way to clean the cushions.

This guide is here to help you know how to clean non-removable couch cushions so that they can look fresh for your next gathering.

Different Ways to Clean Non-removable Couch Cushions

Couches and sofas aren’t safe from external particulates; everything from dirt and food to pawprints and hair will get on there.

So there are a lot of elements you’ll end up facing overall. But there are easy steps to achieve a clean sofa, so read on to see the steps you’ll need to follow.

Preliminary Checks

Before you do anything, check the tags on the sofa/couch. These tags are usually on the side of the sofa or on the corners of the cushions.

These information tags are there to help you know more about the fabrics on your couch.

The information includes what the fabrics are made of and whether or not they can withstand certain chemicals. So keep that in mind when moving forward.

Different Instructions and Their Meanings

When you see the tag, you’ll find some letters indicating what kind of cleaner can be applied and won’t damage the upholstery.

• “X” indicates that you can use only a vacuum. Essentially no chemicals are allowed.
• “W” means that you can apply a water-based cleaner.
• Alternatively, an “S” refers to a solvent-based cleaner.
• “SW” or “WS” means that you can use either water or solvent-based cleaners on the upholstery, which won’t get damaged.

Remove Pet Hair

If you have a cat or a dog, you can count on their hair ending up on the pillows and cushions of your favorite sofa.

The problem will further intensify if you let them sleep or lay on the sofa. So keep that in mind if you have any shedding pets.

Before anything is done, that hair mentioned above needs to be removed. Grab a clean pair of rubber gloves, put them on, and run them over the upholstery.

This will loosen the furs’ grip on the upholstery, making them easier to vacuum later.

Circular motions work best if there’s a lot of hair. Doing that will form small hair clumps that you can pick up and throw away.

Beat the Dust Out of Them

Over time, your couch’s cushions will accumulate dust.

A big part of that dust won’t only rest on the cushions’ surface but will also stick to the fibers. You’ll need to remove it if you want to maintain a clean sofa.

First, wear a mask when doing the next steps to prevent any irritants from getting into your airways.

You can also open a few windows and have a fan blowing towards the cushions to help push the dust out.

Then, using your hand, smack/beat the cushions hard. This pushes the dust into the air and out of the piece of furniture.

For a more effective strike, a broomstick, an old tennis racket, or a carpet beater are better options.

Vacuum Time

Now that you’ve loosened any pet hair and brought all of the dust to the surface, it’s time to start vacuuming!

Most vacuums these days have an upholstery attachment that you can use. It’s a small brush piece that you can attach to the end.

Grab it and attach it to your vacuum and start doing your thing. If the attachment didn’t come with your vacuum, then use it as is.

Since everything is loose, the vacuum is supposed to suck up anything on the surface of the upholstery, including hair, pet fur, dirt, debris, dust, particles, and so on.

That being said, it won’t remove any of the stains. That means we’re not done yet!

Stain Management

Up to this point, you’ve successfully removed any filth on the external surface of the upholstery. However, moving forward, things are going to be a little more tiring, as you’ll need to use elbow grease to clean your sofa.

As we previously mentioned, you’ll need to read the tags to know what kind of solvents you can use before proceeding.

Safety Precaution

As a safety precaution, before you use any chemical you’re not sure of on a stain, use it on a hidden area of the upholstery.

See how it affects that area and keep an eye out if any discoloration happens and so on. This prevents any issues from occurring and gives you an idea of the solution’s effects.

Another thing to keep in mind is, no matter what solution you’re using, gently dab the stain and don’t scrub intensely on it.

This is so that the stain doesn’t go deeper into the fabric and damage it.

Water-Based Solution

When fighting stains with water-based solutions, try out a mix with dish soap and warm water first. It’s usually very effective and can clean stains well.

If that doesn’t work, the next step is baking soda and water; it’s also a potent solution.

Some people mix water with stain remover, fabric softener, and laundry soap to create the ultimate stain fighter, and they yield great results.

Solvent-Based Solution

This one is going to be a bit harder since the fabric can’t come into contact with water.

The answer here is getting a solvent-based chemical that’s water-free from your local store and applying it to the stains.

After leaving it to do its thing, wipe it away with a dry cloth, and it should be clean.

Cleaning Up

After dealing with the stains that you have on your couch’s cushions, it’s time to give the upholstery a final clean.

The aim here is to dampen it a little and give it a slight wash. So with a cloth wet with warm water, gently wipe at the surface of the upholstery and remove any liquids that might be on it.

Remember that this can only be done on the sofas or couches that have “W,” “SW,” and “WS” on their tags.

Let It Dry Out

At this point, your couch is slightly damp, so you’ll need to leave it to dry out. It’ll take some time, perhaps days, until it’s fully dry and usable.

You can keep a fan blowing on it gently to speed up the process, but it may not make a huge difference.

Until it completely dries, it’s not recommended to sit on it at all.

Professional Help

Professional help is a good option if you don’t want to go through all the previous steps and are willing to spend money on someone who’d do all the steps for you.

This is also a good solution if your couch can only be dry cleaned because professionals will have the tools necessary to get the job done for you.

The only problem with this solution is that it can end up being expensive. Resort to it if you can’t clean it yourself or as a bimonthly solution.

An Exception to the Rule: Microfiber Sofas & Couches

Microfiber sofas and couches aren’t usually cleaned using chemicals because they tend to be stain resistant.

That being said, they still need to be cleaned every once in a while.

To clean them, repeat the aforementioned steps number two (pet and hair removal), three (dust beating), and four (vacuuming).

After that, apply warm water and vinegar solution to the places you want to clean and scrub them using an upholstery brush. Then wipe it away with a towel for a clean surface.

Let them dry, and enjoy your clean sofas.

How to Keep Your Sofa Clean Longer

Everybody wants their sofa to look clean for the longest time possible. There are a few things to follow to make sure that it stays fresh.

One of the best ways to keep your sofa looking and smelling clean is continuous maintenance. Make it a part of your cleaning routine.

Another thing to keep in mind is acting quickly when spills happen and not letting them set in to avoid stains.

Baking soda is also a good way to remove any odors that might be coming from the fabric. Put some on the surface of the upholstery and leave it for up to 20 minutes. After that, grab your vacuum and hoover that area.

Final Thoughts

It’s always satisfying to keep your couch clean because you’re spending a lot of time on it.

So maintaining it is a great way to get a good return on your investment and make sure you’re comfortable the next time you sit down in front of your TV.

Share this post: