{"id":28193,"date":"2021-12-06T16:11:17","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T00:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=28193"},"modified":"2024-09-13T08:28:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T15:28:41","slug":"how-to-deep-clean-a-couch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-deep-clean-a-couch\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deep Clean a Couch so Buyers Won\u2019t Grouch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Couch potato chips, dog hair and stains on your upholstery will not impress anyone during an open house<\/a> or showing. If you notice potential homebuyers slowly backing away from your couch, it\u2019s time to remove that lived-in look and consider some deep cleaning.<\/p>\n

In order to make your best first impression, we did extensive research and talked to award-winning real estate agent Deana Corrigan<\/a> and upholstery expert Scott Johnston<\/a> to explain all the ins and outs of couch cleaning. Not only will we explore the various methods of how you typically deep clean a couch but also explain why it\u2019s important for attracting potential buyers. So, let\u2019s dig in!<\/p>\n

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Why should you deep clean your couch?<\/h2>\n

You might look at your couch and think, it\u2019s really not that<\/i> bad. But from a buyer\u2019s perspective \u2013 who will be spending thousands of dollars for your home \u2013 their initial impression could raise concerns about the rest of your house.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause when people walk in, they look at the cleanliness, of not just the overall house, but of everything you have,\u201d says Corrigan \u201cSo, if you have a dirty couch, they\u2019re like, hmm, what else are they not taking care of in the home? Are they even changing the filter on the HVAC<\/a> system?\u201d<\/p>\n

When buyers notice your messy couch, they\u2019ll often see it as a reflection of the seller\u2019s attitude in not caring about their home. A dirty couch can also make them aware of dingy trim or other items that aren\u2019t well-maintained<\/a>. This can raise concerns for the buyer who calculates how expensive it will be to fix things when they clean it up.<\/p>\n

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What do the furniture fabric care codes mean?<\/h2>\n

But before you start your deep cleaning, you need to find out more about the material you have to clean. Typically, you\u2019ll find your fabric care codes<\/a> under the couch cushions or listed on another label that\u2019s attached to your couch. Following your fabric care code will tell you what your upholstery can tolerate, and give you the best chance for not choosing the wrong cleaning method.<\/p>\n

Fabric code definitions<\/h4>\n

\u201cW\u201d<\/b> \u2013 Water-based products<\/p>\n

\u201cS\u201d<\/b> \u2013 Dry-cleaning solvents<\/p>\n

\u201cW-S\u201d<\/b> \u2013 Water-based\/solvent products<\/p>\n

\u201cX\u201d<\/b> \u2013 Vacuum or light brushing only<\/p>\n

If your furniture doesn\u2019t have a fabric care label, you can research the manufacturer to try and determine the best cleaning method. Or, alternatively, contact an upholstery professional to help you in determining the type of fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Find a Top Agent For Higher Sale Proceeds<\/h3>\n

Get expert guidance on how to prepare your home for sale. Our data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes faster and for up to 10% more than average agents. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n

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Best tips for maintaining your furniture prior to a deep cleaning<\/h2>\n

Johnston, who has over 20 years of cleaning experience, says that regular maintenance of furniture saves both time and effort prior to doing your deep cleaning.<\/p>\n

Routine vacuuming:<\/b>\u00a0 Vacuuming your upholstery on a regular basis is a good way to prevent dry soil from settling into a couch. As Johnston explains, the friction of someone repeatedly sitting on a couch with dry soil can cause premature wear to the furniture.<\/p>\n

Clean spills right away:<\/b> Johnston also notes that time is an important factor when someone spills something on their furniture. Because once things set into the fibers of your couch, it gets more difficult to clean them.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be too aggressive with cleaners:<\/b> He also warns that it\u2019s important to use very mild solutions, or just water to treat the area. Johnston further explains that being \u201ctoo aggressive\u201d with some of the over-the-counter products could cause additional problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could take the color out of something, could set the stain worse, you could smear and not get it out, there\u2019s a lot of different things that you could do that could make the problem actually worse,\u201d says Johnston.<\/p>\n

Always find the right spot to do a spot test: <\/b>After researching both the type of fabric and the recommended cleaner to use, then it\u2019s always a good idea to do a spot test in a hidden area to test out your products. This can be the back of a couch skirt that faces the wall or the zippered side of a cushion that is never seen. Some couches even have a small piece of fabric underneath the cushion for this specific purpose so you can test the actual fabric.<\/p>\n

Know the pros and cons of the different types of cleaners: <\/b>The most common types of cleaners are baking soda, dry cleaning solvents and mixed solutions that contain vinegar, water, and soap. Each has its benefits, but also some drawbacks depending on how they are used and what you are cleaning.<\/p>\n

Baking Soda<\/h4>\n

Pros:<\/b> Typically used in small amounts to freshen up fabric<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/b> Can possibly lighten your upholstery and hard to remove if too much is applied<\/p>\n

Dry cleaning solvents<\/h4>\n

Pros: <\/b>Usually the safest to use on fabrics for a general cleaning<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/b> Typically, the least effective method to clean tough stains<\/p>\n

Mild vinegar \/ soap \/ water (10% vinegar & soap combined with 90% water)<\/h4>\n

Pros: <\/b>Good for pet stains and usually helpful to neutralize odor<\/p>\n

Cons: <\/b>Too much vinegar solution can leave behind a strong vinegar smell<\/p>\n

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What supplies will you need to deep clean your couch? (depending on your fabric code<\/b>)<\/b><\/h3>\n