How To Easily Steam Clean A Sofa

Steam cleaners are an incredibly handy invention. It’s great to have an environmentally friendly, naturally sourced way of cleaning, that doesn’t involve the use of any nasty chemicals which could potentially cause damage to your property.

With more versatility than a vacuum cleaner, steam cleaners can essentially be used anywhere. From clothes to kitchen floors, there’s no doubt that you’d be making a great investment when purchasing a steam cleaner.

Whether it’s grease stains or loose dirt, if you’re looking to clean your sofa with a steam cleaner, then there are a few things you need to look out for. Read on for more information.

How Do Steam Cleaners Work?

Annoyingly, dirt and general muck have a way of sticking and clinging to furniture. Their adhesive nature can make them difficult to scrub away. To steam clean a sofa, the temperature of the steam weakens the stickiness of the dirt and makes it much easier to wipe away.

To use your steam cleaner, you need to pour clean water into the container, where the water will be boiled, creating the steam. That steam is then transferred through the apparatus, which means you can start steam cleaning. Steam will continue to be produced while the tool is turned on and until the water supply runs out.

Check Your Sofa’s Cleaning Code

To steam clean a sofa, first, check the cleaning code. All upholstery fabrics have a cleaning code. It is vital that you check yours before you begin to steam clean, to avoid doing detriment to your sofa.

Your sofa’s cleaning code will often be found under, or attached to, your seat cushions. You may find them tucked into the base of the sofa by the arm, or even around the back.

Once you have found your sofa’s cleaning code, it’s important that you know what the code means before you begin cleaning.

“W”

If your sofa has code W on it, then only water-based cleaners can be used on it. Warm water mixed with dish soap or washing-up liquid can work a treat, as can steam cleaners.

Always be mindful that you’re not using too much excess water, as that can be damaging to your upholstered sofa. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals on sofas with a W tag, as they will break down the fabric of your sofa.

“S”

This cleaning code stands for solvent, meaning only water-free solvent-based cleaners are able to be used on these types of fabrics. Solvents, such as rubbing alcohol, are ideal for sofas with this cleaning code.

Steam cleaners, and other water-based cleaning methods, should be avoided at all costs.

“X”

Sofas with an X cleaning code are a lot trickier to handle. These fabrics can only be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a brush – nothing else. If you have a spillage or stain, then you will need a professional cleaner’s expertise.

Preparing To Steam Clean A Sofa

Before you steam clean a sofa, you should have checked your sofa’s cleaning code and decided that steam cleaning is safe for your specific sofa. Before you begin, there are some preliminary steps you should take.

To prepare to steam clean a sofa, thoroughly vacuum your sofa, ensuring that you remove any loose dirt, crumbs, or pet hair, as these may interfere with the steam cleaning process.

Treat old stains using any instructions you can find from your sofa’s manufacturer. Always do a spot test when using new cleaning products, to make sure they’re compatible with your fabric. Oil-based stains specifically need to be handled before using your steam cleaner – try to sprinkle baking soda mixed with water and cornstarch onto the stain and blot it continually.

Upholstery steam cleaners are used for furniture fabrics, and they often come with a brush attachment, so try and get your hands on one of those for the best results. Alternatively, a handheld steam cleaner will also work.

Steam Cleaning A Fabric Sofa

Let’s start off with fabric sofas, a common choice for furniture material. If you need to steam clean a fabric sofa, it’s a relatively simple process.

First of all, to steam clean a sofa remove any seat cushions from your fabric couch and begin there. Turn on your steam cleaner and begin to run it over your couch cushions, making sure not to leave out any spots. You may be tempted to linger over the stain with your steamer but this isn’t a great idea. Instead, just continuously run the steam cleaner over the cushions. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your steam cleaner will remove all stains but it will certainly help your sofa look more refreshed.

When it comes to the base of the sofa, only use your upholstery steam cleaner for small portions of the sofa at a time. This is to guarantee that your sofa doesn’t absorb too much excess moisture at once, therefore damaging the upholstery.

When you steam clean a sofa, let the entire sofa air dry, leaving the cushions apart from the rest of the sofa until they are completely dry. If you’re in a rush, you can use a hair-dryer to speed up the drying process, by holding it 10cm away from the sofa at low heat.

Steam Cleaning A Leather Sofa

Leather sofas are a timeless choice for any living room. While their general wear and tear is a part of their gorgeous aesthetic, they still require a certain amount of upkeep to keep them looking amazing.

Before you steam clean a sofa, create a cleaning solution of 1/2 a cup of white vinegar and 1/2 a cup of linseed oil in hot water, then use a damp cloth to wipe this solution onto the sofa. Once you have done this, let your leather dry for at least an hour before proceeding to steam clean.

Remove the seat cushions and begin steam cleaning at the back of the couch and then move forward gradually, focusing on the inner sections of your sofa.

Wipe away any remaining moisture and with a clean, soft cloth and let your leather upholstery air dry, opening a window or turning on a fan to aid with the drying process.

Steam Cleaning A Velvet Sofa

Nothing competes with the glamour of a velvet sofa, so it’s advantageous to keep on top of your sofa’s cleanliness to maintain its luxury. Steam cleaning velvet furniture is a common practice and is sure to keep your upholstered sofa looking fresh and fabulous.

Run your steam cleaner along the velvet at a moderate, steady pace, without lingering on one spot for too long, and double-check that your steam cleaner is set to the lowest temperature to avoid any heat damage. Use a soft brush to certify that none of the velvet fibres are matted or tangled, to preserve the lustre of clean upholstery.

If it’s a crushed velvet sofa that you’re wanting to clean, then steam cleaning is probably not the best method for you, as the steam can make the crushed velvet appearance of the couch disappear.

Conclusion

Giving your sofa a steam clean is a great option if you want to keep your furniture feeling utterly refreshed. Without all the hassle of sorting through different chemicals and creating multiple home cleaning solutions, it’s nice to have a totally natural remedy that will undoubtedly restore your couch to its former glory.

Now that you have all the expertise to steam clean a sofa, it will be looking as good as new in no time!