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Sofas are one of the most high-traffic areas in people’s homes, and messes are destined to happen. Stains are the immediate threat, but everyday dust can cause dinginess over time. To increase a couch’s lifespan and keep it looking fresh, vacuum it regularly, and be prepared to clean up messes quickly.

To prevent stains from setting deeply and binding to fibers, clean up spills or stains as soon as possible. Most stains will take about five minutes to clean (though using a portable upholstery cleaner could tack on an extra five minutes). However, more-difficult stains may require more than one round of cleaning.

Regular maintenance—mostly vacuuming—can take as little as 10 minutes once a week.

In addition to routine upkeep of your sofa, all the professional cleaners we spoke with suggested that you get your upholstery professionally cleaned every six months so dirt doesn’t settle in. A customer-service rep from Crate & Barrel recommended an annual professional cleaning to “keep upholstery looking its best.”

Every upholstery cleaning expert we spoke with—along with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification’s (IICRC) Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning—emphasized the importance of first identifying the exact type of upholstery you’re tackling by finding the cleaning code. Look for the cleaning codes on the furniture’s tags, which are often attached to the cushions or underneath the couch. Some couches may have more than one tag, which may suggest different cleaning methods for each part of the couch.

The tag (or tags) will list one of four cleaning codes: W (water-based cleaning solutions only), S (cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning products only), W/S (water or solvent-based products can be used), and X (can be cleaned only with a vacuum or gentle brush). If there is no tag or it was removed, you may be able to find cleaning information on the manufacturer’s website or by contacting customer service.

Before using a spot-removal agent on a stain, pre-test it in an inconspicuous area by applying several drops and holding a white cloth to the fabric for 10 seconds. If you see color transfer, color change, or damage to the fabric, select a different cleaning solution, said Gary Clipperton, president of National Pro Clean.

Even if your couch has an X on the tag, that might not mean vacuuming is the only at-home cleaning option available. Stuart Emmons, owner of PristineGreen Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning in New York City, told us that sometimes a manufacturer will label upholstery with the lowest-risk code to reduce customer complaints (often, more-expensive items have this label). That said, an expert upholstery cleaner is your best bet to identify the safest and most effective way to clean those couches marked with an X.

If you’re unable to locate the tag or find the cleaning code on the manufacturer’s site, or if you have vintage or antique furniture, it’s best to have a professional look at the piece to avoid damaging the upholstery.

Just as your bookshelf or TV stand collects dust, so too does your couch—it’s just not as easy to see. Vacuuming prevents dirt from becoming embedded in fibers, and it makes a big difference in the rate at which your couch becomes dingy. Stains are also going to be more difficult to clean if there is hair, fur, lint, dust, or other debris in the way.

Start by taking off all removable cushions. Collect coins, bobby pins, and any other large detritus that may have fallen into the couch. Then clean up the solids. If you have pets, a lint roller can be especially helpful in removing fur. Using the upholstery attachment and crevice tool, vacuum each cushion and the couch itself, taking extra care with the places debris can settle, like the corners and seams. If you’re cleaning a delicate fabric like silk, be cognizant of the vacuum’s suction strength, and consider switching it to a lower setting if necessary.

If you don’t have access to a vacuum, a stiff brush is a good substitute. Softly brush off the upholstery in one direction to remove the most debris. Whenever possible, go along with the nap of the fabric.

“There are three factors that determine if a stain is going to come out: how long it’s been there, the fabric, and what was spilled,” Emmons said.

As soon as you stain or spill something on upholstery, get as much of the liquid or soil off as soon as you can. “If you fail to remove the entire residue, the cleaning agent may spread the stain further,” said Clipperton. And if stains are ignored, they can bond to fibers and are more likely to create permanent stains.

Blot the stain with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper towels. A plastic scraper can also be useful for semi-solids. Alternatively, you can also use a wet-dry vac or a portable upholstery cleaner to suck up the residue. Be sure to clean out the tank or dustbin soon after, though, or it will start to stink.

Once you’ve removed all the residue, dab the stain with the cleaning solution, and gently blot from the edges of the spill to the center to stop the stain from spreading. Make sure you don’t scrub, though. According to Clipperton, “Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area.”

Then rinse the stained area with cold water and blot it dry, removing as much of the cleaning solution as possible to prevent discoloration. Emmons recommends using distilled water for cleaning solutions and rinsing water if your home has hard water or well water. According to Ken Kaplan, founder of Dirt Blasters Carpet Cleaning, tap water could leave mineral deposits, which can lead to unwanted shading left on the upholstery.

To prevent mold and odor, let the couch dry thoroughly. If you have a wet-dry vac or a portable upholstery cleaner, like the Bissell Little Green, you can use it to suck out liquid. For large, wet stains, consider placing an absorbent towel between the fabric and cushion material to absorb excess moisture (if your cushion allows this). Wait to put the cushions back on the couch until all of the parts are completely dry. Prolonged drying times increase the risk of discoloration. Opening windows and turning on fans will help expedite the process.

If you have set-in stains, turn to a professional for help. They often have stronger industrial cleaning products, which might be able to get the job done. Still, there’s no guarantee a professional will be able to remove a stain.

Cleaning methods involving household staples like baking soda and dish soap are popular on the internet and on social media, but do they work?

Baking soda is known as a deodorizer. But if you don’t use the proper vacuum to suck it up, it will stay in the upholstery, said Lawrence Kendrick, owner of K&D Carpet & Cleaning Services.

As for dish soap, there’s a risk when using a detergent that isn’t designed for fabric, Emmons told us. “Sometimes they have dyes in them, and the dyes will leave a mark on your upholstery.”

For a heavily soiled couch, almost all the furniture manufacturers we spoke with told us they don’t recommend deep cleaning it yourself.

If you can’t identify the fabric, you’re dealing with a complicated textile (like a satin weave or fabric with bulky yarns), or the couch is just really dirty, you may need to call in a professional.

A professional cleaning entails many of the same things you should do yourself before embarking on any upholstery cleaning. The pro performs a fabric inspection, tests any products they may use on a hidden spot, and removes dry soil. Next—and most important—they use some combination of chemical products, heat, agitation, and/or time to separate the soil from the upholstery, which is how you get a deep clean.

They will extract the suspended soil by absorption, wet vacuuming, rinsing, or vacuuming the fabric when dry. After that’s complete, the professional will groom and set the pile fabric, if needed. And then you wait until the upholstery is dry.

Even professional deep cleaning is limited in what it can achieve. Clipperton told us that “upholstery can not be treated with a disinfectant, and then expect the removal of all viruses and bacteria. ... The basic construction makes it impossible to penetrate the lower levels of the article and disinfect the fabric.”

Professional upholstery cleaners cannot get rid of bed bugs, either. That requires a different type of cleaning professional.

After speaking with an assortment of upholstery cleaning experts and furniture manufacturers, we’ve compiled some simple tips to keep your couch clean and maintain its appearance:

Ken Kaplan, owner and founder, Dirt Blasters Carpet Cleaning, phone interview, June 9, 2021

Lawrence Kendrick, owner, K&D Carpet & Cleaning Services, phone interview, June 9, 2021

Stuart Emmons, owner, PristineGreen Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning, phone interview, May 5, 2021

Gary Clipperton, president, National Pro Clean, email interview, June 17, 2021

Sarah Bogdan is a staff writer at Wirecutter covering appliances. Previously, she tested cleaning products and appliances at Good Housekeeping. Her degree in mechanical engineering and product design helps her understand how products work and how people interact with them. When she’s not tackling messes, she’s tackling rivals on the rugby field.

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