Your couch probably sees a lot of action each week. It's usually the go-to spot for everything from late-night Netflix marathons to working from home to cuddling up with your furry friends. Because of this frequent use (as well as the spills and scuffs that come with the territory), your couch might be in dire need of some TLC.
But, beyond using a stain remover when you need to, you might not know to how to clean a couch or how often this task should be done. "As a rule of thumb, a thorough cleaning every 6 months is ideal," says Ryan Knoll of Tidy Casa. "However, for households with pets or kids, a more frequent light cleaning is recommended."
To help ensure that the best seat in the house stays in great condition, here's what you need to know about how to clean a couch. In this guide, we'll cover expert advice on the best products and tools to use, how to spot clean and eliminate odors, and what pet owners can do to stay on top of the never-ending fur shedding.
First, check the furniture care code
Just like clothing, couch upholstery has its own cleaning instructions that should always be followed to avoid damage. If you want to know how to clean a couch yourself (rather than calling in an expert), it's even more crucial that you understand those care instructions.
"A client once asked us how to make his couch look brand-new again," says Elizabeth Shields, the operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. "We advised that if you opt to clean the couch yourself, check the care code found on the furniture label."
To find your furniture care code, check underneath your cushions for the tag — it might also be next to the armrests or attached to the underside of the couch.
As for what those care instructions mean, Shields breaks it down for us:
- Code W: Water-based cleaners should be used. You can also vacuum or brush the cloth, but only after it has dried.
- Code S: Gentle solvents or water-free, dry-cleaning products are safe to use.
- Code W/S: Upholstery shampoo, light solvents, or water-based cleaners are safe to use.
- Code X: No chemicals can be used. Instead, lightly vacuum or brush the fabric.
- Code D: Dry-clean only.
Remove dust and dirt regularly
Just as you vacuum and dust the rest of your home to keep debris and allergens at bay, you should extend the same cleaning routine to your sofa cushions, too.
"Aim to vacuum cushions weekly using the hose attachment to remove loose dirt and pet hair from the surface," explains Lindsey Chastain, who runs homesteading site The Waddle and Cluck. "For periodic deep cleaning every 6-12 months, wash removable covers."
Regular cleaning is even more crucial if someone in your household suffers from allergies. "Vacuum the couch as often as you do the floor – ideally, every day," explains Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match.
If vacuuming just isn't cutting it, try using an upholstery cleaning machine or steamer. "For a deeper clean, upholstery cleaning machines like the Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner are excellent," says Knoll. "They're designed specifically for upholstery, ensuring a thorough cleaning without damaging the fabric."
Treat odors
Because couches get so much use, they may start to smell less-than-fresh as a result. Luckily, there are several household products and tools that cleaning experts recommend to combat those strange smells:
- Baking soda: "For stubborn odors from spills or pets, sprinkle liberally with baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes to absorb smells, then vacuum up the residue," says Chastain. Repeat this step as often or as frequently as needed, until the unpleasant scent dissipates.
- Epsom salt: Another natural way of removing odors from fabric is by using Epsom salt. According to Shields, Epsom salt leaves "a subtle fragrance" and is perfect for "absorbing moisture." Just as with baking soda, sprinkle the Epsom salt on the problem area, leave for approximately 20 minutes, then vacuum it up.
- Upholstery-cleaning machines: If you want a pro-level deep clean, an upholstery-cleaning machine (which may be able to wash your carpets and rugs, too) is a worthy investment. According to Chastain, they're perfect for removing difficult smells from couches. "I like to include a little bit of white vinegar in my Little Green Machine for smelly stains," explains Chastain. "I also include a little bit of fabric softener in my machine to eliminate any crunchiness that can occur when cleaning upholstery and to leave a nice smell."
- Fabric freshener: Difficult smells that seem impossible to eliminate may be best treated with a refresher spray, which can be liberally used as frequently as needed. "A fabric freshener like Febreze Fabric Refresher can be effective for persistent smells," explains Knoll. However, it's crucial not to go overboard with the sprays, especially if they don't seem to be working, as they "can create a somewhat overwhelming, artificial smell that doesn't address the real issue," says Shields.
If the unwanted smell persists even after you've cleaned, it may be worth spiffing up the area around the couch, too. "Spots under and around your sofa, where dust, debris, and pet hair stay, can contribute to an undesirable odor," Shields notes. "Regular vacuuming in these hidden nooks can make a big difference."
Remove stains
As annoying as it can be when coffee or wine spills on your couch, you don't want to wait to treat the area.
"If you spill anything on your couch, tackle the stain ASAP," says Schulz. "The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove."
Also, how you treat the stained area matters. This is what the experts advise:
- Blot, don't scrub: It's always best to blot a liquid spill, rather than scrubbing it, which could damage the fabric of your couch. "If you spot a fresh spill, blot immediately with a clean cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible," Chastain says. Schulz echoes this sentiment, adding, "If you scrub at the stain, you’ll end up pushing it further into the fabric."
- Use detergent and warm water: Sometimes, the simplest option is the best one. "When stains appear, be gentle and use a mix of mild detergent and warm water for a quick fix," Shields suggests.
- Consider using a cleaning machine: Again, if stains are a regular occurrence in your busy household, getting an upholstery-cleaning machine can help erase the evidence instantly. "The Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot Cleaner is great for stain removal," says Knoll. "It uses a combination of warm water, cleaning formula, and powerful suction to lift and remove spots and stains."
Stay on top of pet hair
Figuring out how to clean a couch becomes all the more challenging when you have pets, explains Schulz. "You can invest in couch covers or lay out blankets for your pets to lie on, but the reality is that fur gets everywhere," he explains.
Luckily, there are a few strategies that may help when it comes to removing pet hair from couches. "You can try the trick of wearing a rubber glove and rubbing all over the upholstery," Schulz explains. "Alternatively, you could buy a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment."
Meanwhile, a simple, handheld tool like the Lilly Brush may be a lifesaver for anyone tackling pet hair, says Knoll. "It's designed to effectively pick up pet hair without damaging the upholstery. The brush's fine bristles work like a charm on various fabric types."
Use these couch-cleaning hacks
There's more than one way to keep a couch clean. These are a few miscellaneous tips that our experts gave for keeping your sectional or settee pristine:
- Remove chewing gum with ice: If a wad of gum has somehow ended up stuck to your couch, you can try using some ice to remove it. "By applying an ice cube to the gum, you're reversing this softening effect and making the gum hard and brittle," explains Shields. "Once the gum has turned solid, grab a blunt, flat-edged tool like a plastic scraper or even a credit card's edge."
- Use a pumice stone to remove pilling: All fabric is at risk of pilling when it's used regularly, and a couch is no exception. It's a good idea to remove pills when you see them because they can make a couch look old and drab. "Lightly dampen a pumice stone with water and rub it lightly in one direction," says Shields. "Always work in a single direction, typically against the grain of the fabric, to lift and remove the loose fibers."
- Spray on an upholstery protector: If you have a light-colored couch that gets a lot of use, consider using an upholstery protector to help prevent future damage. "A protective spray like Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Protector helps repel liquids and block stains without changing the fabric's look or feel," explains Knoll.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
