Of all the rooms in the house, the living room furniture ends up being the most elegant and, many times, the most expensive. It is the room that creates the main impression of your home and lifestyle.
Sofas in the living room can look fantastic and add character to any home but they need to be cared for. Because they see a lot of use by multiple visitors, when neglected, dingy and rundown sofa sets or couches can affect the look of an otherwise well-decorated room.
When you take care of your sofas, you can keep them looking good longer and save money on the new purchase. Although families with young children and house pets often have extra work to maintain them, it is well worth the effort.
Here are a few simple techniques that can be used to keep sofas, couches and ottomans in great condition and ensure that your living room looks its best for decades.
Leather Sofas Leather sofas, though most sturdy and easy to maintain, are in danger of damage by scratches. While most damage to leather furniture can be fixed, it’s far better to take preventative measures. Leather being a natural product, requires some care to maintain its natural beauty.
Dust: Over time, dust can settle and sink into the creases of your leather sofa. This will result in light fading of the edges of the sofa. Deep colours like brown and black are especially vulnerable to it. Brush away the dust with a cloth or light brush at least every two days. Wipe gently to avoid scratches.
Harsh cleaners: These can ruin your sofa. Even bleach and ammonia-based cleaners are avoidable. This is because leather is porous in nature. Make a gentle and effective cleaner at home (a cleaning solution of equal parts of water mixed with white vinegar works well) or use leather cleaner recommended by your sofa manufacturer.
Water: A large amount of moisture can cause serious damage. We need only some dampness to the cloth that is used to wipe the sofa. Dry the sofa with a clean towel after the damp wipe. Don’t use a blow dryer for this, as it is likely to dehydrate the leather.
Vacuum cleaning: For regular weekly cleaning, you can simply wipe the sofa with a dry cloth or dust it off with a feather duster. If it is used heavily then cleaning the sofa with a vacuum cleaner is better.Vacuum-clean the sofa with a soft brush attachment. Make sure it sucks the dirt out of all the crevices.
Leather conditioner: Conditioning your sofa is like polishing leather shoes. You can get new life into it by conditioning. It will buff out small cracks, lines and imperfections. Condition and clean your leather sofa every six to 12 months to keep it looking new.
Sunlight: Sunlight can age and dry the leather, which will lead to discoloration and cracking. Keep your sofa at least two feet away from sources of heat, including air conditioning sources.
Removing stains: Cleaning up moisture from a leather sofa is simple. Stains form when moisture dries on the leather. Attend to any spills (even water spills) on the sofa immediately, or else the fluid will penetrate the dye and leave spots.
Non-acetone nail polish removers, baby wipes, and even toothpastes can help you get rid of stains from your leather sofa. Test the option on a hidden area to ensure that it does not fade the colour.
Natural-fabric Sofas
If you have a natural-fabric sofa, here’s how to make your sofa look like new again.
Deep cleaning: Get your non-removable covers fully cleaned once a year by a specialist cleaning company. You could wash or dry clean removable covers.
Vacuum regularly: The flat surface shows grime and holds dirt particles, however, so frequent vacuuming is a must.
Type of fabric: In case of removable covers, check for the type of fabric. If it is a cotton-blend or linen you can easily clean it with natural ingredients. Cotton blends are sturdy, family-friendly products. Easy-care, practically stain-proof choices include natural fabrics with a touch of synthetic fibre woven in for added toughness. Canvas can be a good choice for families with kids and pets.
Remove pet hair: Use a clothes brush with a bristle head to collect pet hair or look for a similar brush sold in pet stores.
A simple DIY procedure: For a routine cleaning, sprinkle the sofa with baking soda. Baking soda helps release stale smells and break up stains in the fabric. Allow it to sit on the sofa for at least an hour before vacuuming using a brush attachment. Heavy fabrics with a flat weave will hold up much better than lightweight or looped fabrics.
Avoid coloured towels: In case of spills, gently blot them instead of rubbing using a white towel or paper towel. Don’t use colored towels or printed-paper towels because they may transfer dye or ink to the fabric.
Removing stains: Some marks can be removed using a white cloth moistened with mild soapy water. If the spill is large, remove as much as possible with clean toweling, a scraper, or spoon; blot up the rest, then treat the remaining stain. It’s generally best to remove slipcovers to spot-clean to make sure the upholstery underneath is not affected. Or, place a clean folded towel under the slipcover to protect the upholstery while you work on spot-cleaning the slipcover.
Velvet Sofas Velvet fabric moves and catches the light in different directions. Sometimes, it may appear crushed when new, but you can rectify it by sweeping the sofa with a clothes brush. Use professional cleaning and steaming when needed.
Suede Sofas Vacuum them with a soft brush attachment. Use only made-for-suede cleaners. Remove small spots with gum erasers. Don’t clean with water.
Silk Sofas Silk is a delicate fabric and must be professionally cleaned if soiled. Keep silk out of direct exposure to sunlight.
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