This Is the Only Real Way To Get Tush Germs Out of Your Sofa, According to Experts
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If you’ve ever wondered how to clean your couch, you’re not alone. It’s no easy feat, as it’s not quite as simple as spraying it with a surface-friendly solution and wiping away any mess with a microfiber cloth. In fact, when it comes to cleaning sofas, there’s a lot more to it—even for the smallest spots. If you think you may not need to incorporate your sofa into your cleaning routine because there aren’t any stains, you’ll probably reconsider after peeping this #CleanTok video boasting more than 250,000 views. The post-cleaning water isn’t exactly crystal-clear.
Here’s why cleaning your sofa is so important: Think about all of the places you sit before plopping down on your couch (read: restaurants, public transportation, airplanes, waiting rooms, and more). Even though you can’t always see the bacteria, grime, and pollutants, they’re there. Coming into contact with such particles isn’t only bad for your health but also slowly ruining your upholstery, so keeping your sofa clean is a must.
To break down how to clean your couch, we chatted with not one but two experts: Luther Quintana, operations manager at the eponymous Manhattan-based upholstery house, and Carol Mehas, founder of plant-based cleaning brand arbOUR.
Shall we get into it?
How to Clean a Sofa
First and foremost, develop a cleaning schedule. We’d suggest doing a deep, thorough clean about once a month—perhaps more if you entertain often. Otherwise, regularly wiping the surface with a microfiber cloth to collect dust and whatnot is always a good idea.
Step 1: Vacuum
The first step is to get in the habit of regular vacuuming—“every two to three days, especially under the cushions”—and fluffing every other day. “I can’t stress that enough!” says Quintana, who points out that innocent crumbs can turn into stains if you don’t clean them off swiftly and flip the cushions to be sure hidden spots are treated before they get worse.
Do that, and your sofa will be looking its best on the regular. From there, it’s all about quickly treating stains and giving them a good once-over, using the steps below, about once a year.
“Vacuuming the upholstered surfaces with a fabric-safe attachment to your vacuum cleaner. You’ll need to remove all the dust, pet dander, and dead skin cells that settle into the fabric crevices,” Mehas adds. “Most importantly, vacuum under the couch’s cushions (and underneath the couch as well).”
She suggests doing this as often as possible because the more you sit on your sofa, the more unwelcome stuff you’re depositing. Mehas suggests vacuuming weekly if you have pets and young children. “Snacks and pet fur can bring attention to unwanted mites and critters that you did not invite over to binge on this season’s episodes,” she says.
Lastly, if you have multiple sofas in your home, be sure to vacuum the less used “formal couches” at least one time per month “Even if you can’t see it, it’s there and can start to affect your home’s air quality over time,” Mehas admits.
Step 2: Spot Clean
Always treat a spill as soon as it happens if you’ve got the time. That’ll save you a serious headache later when the stain has had more time to set in. Contrary to what may seem logical, the best technique is actually not to scrub the spot until it looks clean or introduce high-octane cleaning agents. When dealing with cotton, cotton blends, or linen upholstery, “What you’re going to hear a lot from me is blotting and steaming,” says Quintana.
Let’s tackle blotting first: Mix together hand soap and distilled water vigorously, to create suds. Then dab a clean towel in just the suds. “It kind of picks up the stains,” Quintana explains. Blot or gently press the sudsy towel into the stain and lift it straight up, taking care not to wipe or smear the towel side-to-side, which might make the stain worse. Repeat a few times, then blot the spot with another clean, dry towel. “So you’re not spreading; you’re just patting and taking off the excess liquid,” he says.
Next, steaming: If you want your upholstery to last, it’s well worth investing in a steam cleaner—the one Quintana recommends is $100 (but a new sofa, of course, would be at least $1,000!). Follow the instructions on the device to steam the spot and suck away any residue. “The steam lifts whatever is there; it’s not saturating.”
If your sofa is upholstered in finer materials like velvet or mohair, Quintana recommends simply removing crumbs with a sticky lint brush before resorting to steam-cleaning. Definitely don’t clean these with soap or any other liquids! That said, If the stain is quite severe, you can always try a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide. Careful, though. Hydrogen peroxide can work as a natural bleach, so if you’re blotting it on a darker color, you may be left with a pale spot that sticks out.
Step 3: Wash or Dry Clean Cushion Covers
If your spot-cleaning techniques aren’t enough, check the cleaning codes on your sofa to see how to safely wash the cushion covers. “W” means you should use only water-based cleaning agents; these cushions you can consider tossing these in the wash (cold water only and hang-dry to prevent shrinking!) if the label indicates that’s safe. But an “S” or “S/W” on the label indicates that water-free cleaning agents are better; Quintana says you should only dry-clean.
When dealing with stains, Mehas has a few words of advice: “If a stain is brand new, always blot with a clean towel first to remove all the water, liquid, and oil you can before treating the solid matter left over,” she advises. “Don’t forget to launder any throw blankets or accent pillows as well on the same routine basis as your actual sofa itself.”
Step 4: Let It Dry
This may sound obvious, but never put wet (or even damp) cushion covers back on cushions because doing so creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew. Take another peek at the tag to see if you can toss your cushion covers in the dryer. If they have to hang dry, hang them in the shade (to prevent fading) and leave them there for at least a few hours.
Sometimes, during the cleaning process, your cushions can get a bit saggy. Worry not; this is totally normal. If your cushions are in desperate need of a little perk, opt for the vacuum-fluffing combination. In our experience, it’s fail-proof and super easy.
Just run the vacuum over the sides, then grab hold of corners on opposite ends of the cushion, letting them touch, then pulling them apart just like you would a bed pillow. If that doesn’t do the trick, it may be time to replace your cushions. Luckily, couch cushions are easy to find. Some of our favorites are on Amazon, Wayfair, and even West Elm (which sells some of the most luxurious ones, in our opinion). If you’ve enjoyed your sofa for more than five years, it may be time to refill or replace the cushions because they’ll naturally start to sag after so long.
Step 5: Polish the Frame and Tidy Up
Just be sure to get the right polish for your frame. Quintana recommends Method Wood Cleaner for wood or Noxon for a metal frame. “Spraying a paper towel will do the trick,” he explains. You can also make your own polish and apply it in no time. Before you do, though, wipe the legs and frame down with a microfiber cloth, which will trap any dust, hair, and crumbs, giving you a clean surface for polish.
If there are any easy-to-clean stains remaining, soak the microfiber cloth in warm water (feel free to add a few drops of gentle soap or detergent) and wipe them away. Always (and we mean always) dry the frame, as leaving wood wet can leave stains that won’t go away.
More Couch Cleaning Tips
If you spend a lot of time on #CleanTok (the hashtag has nearly 27 billion views), then you probably already know the DIY way to clean a sofa that is almost as effective as the routine listed above. Here’s what you’ll need: a microfiber cloth, a mixing bowl, detergent, and a saucepan lid. Fill the bowl with warm water and a few drops of detergent and mix.
Next, let the microfiber cloth soak in the bowl with the liquid. While the liquid saturates the cloth, vacuum the couch. Then, ring out the cloth, wrap it around the inside of the lid (fastening the corners to the handle), and slide it up and down the sofa’s upholstery. If you want to see how much grime comes off your sofa, opt for a white or light-colored cloth.
In conclusion, cleaning your sofa is non-negotiable if you value both your own well-being and that of your furniture. According to Cleveland Clinic, “Pillows and upholstery can carry bacteria and allergens.” Rest assured; the risk of actually contracting an illness from upholstery is extremely low. However, dirty fabric can run the gambit of other unwanted dangers, including, dare we say, insects and pests, including dust mites, bed bugs, and fleas.
You won’t necessarily end up with an infested sofa from simply not cleaning it regularly, but if, for some reason, a dust mite, bed bug, or flea makes its way to your sofa, it can build an empire quickly. So staying on top of your sofa’s cleanliness is paramount.
“Did you know that when you are comfortable in your own environment, you experience biological and emotional wellness upticks such as slower, deeper breathing, tension reduction in the upper back and neck, and a welcome return to hormones flowing naturally throughout the body?” Mehas asks. “This ‘happy place’ for most of us is our very own sofa. Couch potatoes can rejoice in knowing that you are doing yourself a favor by taking your time and enjoying those cushions! For all these reasons, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the cleanliness of your sofa and keep it refreshed all year long.”
She’s not wrong. Most of us prefer lounging on the sofa more than we do the bed—especially when there’s company over, it’s movie night, or late enough in the day to enjoy a delicious glass of wine. The best way to keep your beloved sofa clean is to treat it like you do a coat: It’s something you use frequently, but don’t wash as often as you do a pair of jeans. When it comes to your sofa, the same philosophy applies. Don’t wait until you see dirt or stains to give it a good clean. You’ll be amazed (and probably disgusted) at the transformation—especially if you’ve had your couch for a few years and have never cleaned it.
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