You’ve just brought home a new fabric sofa and you’re absolutely smitten. It looks stunning in your living space, feels incredibly comfortable and you want to keep it that way forever, right?
We’re here to help you maintain your sofa’s fresh appearance with a comprehensive guide to cleaning and caring for your upholstered masterpiece.
Preserve Its Vibrant Colour
First, consider your sofa’s placement. Is it near a window? Direct sunlight can cause colours to fade, so it’s a good idea to keep curtains or blinds closed during the sunniest parts of the day. Another option is to use a throw to shield your furniture during bright spells.
If your sofa is a light shade, ensure any throws or decorative pillows you use are colourfast to prevent dye transfer. To keep pale upholstery pristine, consider changing out of dark jeans or clothing before settling in for the evening, a perfect excuse for cosy days in your pajamas!
Achieve Perfect Cushion Plumpness
Regardless of your sofa cushions’ filling, we recommend plumping them as much as possible to keep them looking full and inviting. Make sure to encourage the filling to move from the back of the cushion to the front, aiming for an even distribution.
If your cushions have fiber fillings and removable covers, you can reach inside and manually separate the fibers. This helps prevent matting over time and makes regular plumping much easier.
The "Smooth Operator" Technique
To maintain your fabric sofa in pristine condition, always smooth the cover after plumping, following these instructions. We call this the “Union Jack method” because it mirrors the lines of the British flag.
Using clean, dry hands, start by smoothing your cushions from the center outwards, first along a horizontal line, then a vertical one. Begin at the center again and smooth diagonally towards each corner. Extend the fabric smoothly right to the edges, then tuck it down the sides and back.
We all have a favorite spot to sit. Unfortunately, if you consistently use one section more than others, that cushion will inevitably show signs of accelerated wear. We advise distributing your use across the sofa as evenly as possible.
Routine Fabric Sofa Maintenance
Weekly Care
The most effective way to care for your sofa is to give it a thorough plumping and vacuuming every week. If the seat cushions are detachable, remove them to ensure you capture any dust or dirt that might be hiding underneath.
Six-Month Refresh
If you consistently follow the daily and weekly advice above, you’ll likely only need to consider a deeper clean for your sofa about every six months to freshen it up. Instead of using generic cleaning products that might not be suitable for your specific sofa, we highly recommend using our specialized fabric sofa care kits.
These kits contain products designed for various stains and cleaning needs, ensuring you have everything required to tackle any stubborn marks on your sofa’s fabric or for a general spring clean.
Emergency Spill Protocol
If you accidentally spill something on your fabric sofa, act quickly to blot it up the faster you respond, the higher the chance of preventing a permanent stain.
- Move swiftly to blot the spill with a clean, dry, colourfast cloth.
- Once excess liquid is removed, dampen a separate colourfast cloth and blot at the stain. Do not rub, as this will likely spread the stain rather than remove it.
- Apply a generous amount of your care kit fabric cleaner. Using a clean, dry cloth, dab at the stain until it’s gone and the area is dry.
- After the stain is removed, use a vacuum cleaner to pick up any residual particles, then gently wipe the affected area from seam to seam with a wet cloth.
What if I Don't Have a Care Kit for a Stain?
If you find yourself without a care kit and need to remove a stain, we suggest using a warm solution of soapy water when blotting, continuing until the stain is gone. Once finished, you should wipe the affected area to prevent water marks. Dampen a fresh, colourfast cloth with water and gently wipe the entire panel from seam to seam.