The sofa is the most frequently used piece of furniture in almost every home. Thus, it is more likely to get dirty quickly. Fortunately, sofa steam cleaning can be performed to maintain a clean sofa. 

To save money, many homeowners wish to steam clean their sofas themselves. DIY sofa steam cleaning is seen as a viable alternative by those who don’t have time to hire professional sofa cleaning services. If you are one of them, be sure to follow these steps to DIY sofa steam cleaning.

Inspect Your Sofa’s Labels 

Every step-by-step guide to DIY sofa cleaning will mention that sofa cleaning techniques vary depending on the type of sofa you have. For this reason, sofa manufacturers generally provide labels that specify the proper cleaning solutions or methods to be performed. Before trying different ways to clean your fabric sofa, you should take into consideration the different guidelines on the labels. 

The letter W indicates that water and steam cleaning can be used on the sofa. S indicates that solvent-based cleaners are recommended. WS means that wet and solvent cleaning can be used for the sofa’s fabric. However, this will depend on the extent of the dirt and stains if there are any. If there are any stains the fabric should be spot cleaned with a mild solvent such as an upholstery shampoo or the foam from a mild detergent. Lastly, if the sofa has an X mark, it signifies that only a vacuum cleaner can be safely used.

Brush and Vacuum Your Sofa

In most guides to steam cleaning fabric sofas, it’s mentioned that if dirt, food crumbs, and other things are present on the sofa, cleaning will be counterproductive as these can cause the sofa to become even dirtier. It’s best instead to use a vacuum cleaner to remove these particles first before performing steam cleaning. This has attachments that can be used to clean the crevices and corners. Also make sure that the sides and back are likewise free of dust and dirt.

Check and Pre-treat Stains 

Some stains like oil-based stains may not be removed through steam cleaning, so they should be removed beforehand. Thankfully, there are many ways to clean stains on different sofa materials. Non-oil-based stains can be removed through simple steam cleaning. Meanwhile, stubborn stains can be removed by applying a mixture of white vinegar and alcohol and letting them sit for 5 minutes. If the stain is not removed, baking soda, cornstarch and water can be used. Make sure to avoid scrubbing the stain too hard since the fabric can get damaged. 

Precondition Your Sofa

To prime your sofa for steam cleaning, one should apply a preconditioner and a soil emulsifier. Spraying a preconditioner on your sofa will ensure that the fabric will not harden while a soil emulsifier helps remove the dirt. Both of these should be applied for a sufficient amount of time so that they will properly absorb the dirt-filled area. Additionally, shampoos or solutions used in upholstery cleaning may be applied for more thorough cleaning.

Choose The Right Steam Cleaning Machine

There are many types of steam cleaning machines that vary in size, weight, design, and price. Smaller steam cleaning machines used to clean sofas are much more affordable and easier to handle. However, they will be less powerful. In contrast, larger machines are more powerful but are often expensive and difficult to manoeuvre. If you don’t have a steam cleaning machine available, consider it a reason to engage a professional sofa cleaning service. Contacting a professional might be more affordable and will ensure better cleaning. 

Contact DW Sofa Cleaning Singapore For Your Sofa Steam Cleaning Needs 

DIY sofa steam cleaning can suffice in some cases. However, when choosing between DIY sofa cleaning vs professional sofa deep cleaning, professional services are generally better. There are many reasons why you should engage a professional sofa cleaning service. Among them is that they have an experienced staff equipped with the best steam cleaning equipment. They can also steam clean your sofa more quickly and more effectively.

Conclusion

DIY sofa cleaning is a viable alternative whenever professional services aren’t available. First, you have to inspect the sofa’s label and identify its materials. After that, you have to brush or vacuum the sofa, remove stubborn stains, and pre-condition it. It is equally important to also choose the right steam cleaner for the job. However, if you want to be sure that your sofa doesn’t sustain damage, it’s better to call a professional. A reputable professional like DW Sofa Cleaning has garnered positive reviews throughout our many projects involving couch cleaning, dining chair cleaning, and many other services. 

DW Sofa Cleaning Singapore offers you a one-stop solution for your sofa cleaning needs in Singapore. Our professional and reliable services include sofa deep cleaning, sofa stain removal, and upholstery cleaning. Our professional sofa cleaning specialists will ensure to perform the cleaning services professionally. Check out our articles for an extensive view of our services and cleaning tips. Do not hesitate to call us or contact us via Whatsapp at +65 8241 0032 to solve any of your sofa cleaning needs!