Is your leather Chesterfield sofa starting to look grubby? The wear and tear is something that comes with the territory of owning an upholstered leather couch, but you’ll want to keep it in good condition so you can enjoy it as long as possible. Fortunately, if your sofa has gotten really dirty, there are some simple steps you can take to make it clean and fresh again in no time.
Sofas have to be one of the most abused pieces of furniture in a home, and that’s exactly why it’s so important to clean them properly. A dirty sofa can harbor all kinds of dust mites and other allergens that can make anyone who spends time on it sick. If you have kids or pets, it’s especially important to keep your sofa clean, because kids and pets are at greater risk of developing allergies than the general population. We have some tips for cleaning your leather sofa that will keep it looking good as new!
Things you need to clean your chesterfield sofa
The first thing you need to do is remove the cushions from the sofa, then vacuum the area thoroughly. Be sure to use a brush attachment to get in all of those crevices. Next, take a damp cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the sofa. Be sure not to leave any dirt behind by wiping it completely with your cloth. If you want, you can add a few drops of dish soap onto your rag and wipe down the surface for an even cleaner finish. Next, grab a cloth or paper towel and lightly sprinkle baking soda on it so that it is light enough to wipe off any areas where there might be mildew or stain marks without getting too much on other areas which could result in getting food or drinks on them later.
Step 1: Vacuuming the Fabric
Start by vacuuming the sofa. Vacuum any ground in dirt, debris, or hair. Use a vacuum cleaner that has a beater bar and upholstery brush attachments to help lift and remove pet hair and other surface debris. Be sure not to skip over any part of the fabric when you vacuum. Once you’ve finished vacuuming, take your hand vacuum to any nooks or crannies where dirt may have collected. Give the cushions and pillows a good shaking before vacuuming them, and make sure you’re getting all areas of the fabric on each cushion. If there are any stains on your couch, use a clean cloth soaked in water with mild dish soap to gently scrub away stubborn stains. Remember not to saturate the entire piece of furniture with liquid; rather, apply just enough so it can get down into the fabrics but won’t drip off onto anything else. After scrubbing for about 30 seconds, rinse the area thoroughly with cool water from your spray bottle then allow it time to dry before continuing on to step 2 below.
Step 2: Removing soil from the upholstery with a damp cloth
If the soil is relatively new and light, you can remove it with a damp cloth. If it’s more stubborn or has been there for a while, you may need to use a dry cleaning solvent or detergent-based cleaner. Use only spot removers, not all-purpose cleaners, which are alkaline and will damage the fabric over time. Apply the cleaner using a clean white cloth or brush and work in gentle circles. Rinse with clean water and blot until dry. Once the fabric is dry, vacuum any debris that remained on the surface of the upholstery. Next, repeat the same process on both sides of the sofa, paying close attention to folds and corners. And don’t forget about armrests! After vacuuming, lightly vacuum them too. For settees with wooden frames: A lot of dirt accumulates in the corners and crevices where cushions meet wooden frames. Take your vacuum cleaner extension nozzle (or a broom) and go at these areas carefully from inside out – first pulling away from then towards yourself – making sure to go underneath as well as over surfaces when possible; this will prevent wear and tear on both your couch and your carpeting!
Step 3: Remove Stains from Fabric
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes. If the baking soda is not enough, you can sprinkle some vinegar on the baking soda to make it more effective. Scrub gently with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse with cool water and repeat until the stain disappears or use club soda if you want to disinfect your fabric even further.
Repeat this process for stains that are soaked into the fabric and don’t seem to be coming out easily with just baking soda and water, such as wine stains. You may also need to saturate the stained area with warm water before scrubbing vigorously. For stubborn stains like fruit juice, coffee, or ink spots, mix dish soap and cold water in a 1:1 ratio (make sure you spot test first). Apply directly to stain then scrub with a toothbrush or nailbrush. Once dry, vacuum up any excess soapy solution from the fabric before laundering as usual.
Step 4: Refresh your sofa with steam cleaning
Steaming your sofa is the best way to get rid of dirt and dust mites. If you don’t have a steamer, use a steam cleaner or a pot of boiling water and clothes. Fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil. Then drape fabric over the top of the pot, so it’s not touching the boiling water but still gets wet. Place your upholstery on top of this cloth, then pour the boiling water onto it. You can also use a brush to scrub away stubborn stains or areas that are particularly dirty. Once you’re done, vacuum your couch thoroughly with an upholstery attachment before letting it air dry in an area where there isn’t a lot of traffic.
Conclusion
The best way to clean a leather sofa is by using a damp, soft cloth. You should avoid any products that can potentially harm the material of the furniture. Use a professional-grade sofa cleaner and dry thoroughly with a dry cloth or towel. Don’t use anything other than the couch cleaning products that are made specifically for leather couches. Be sure to test them on an inconspicuous area first before you put them on the entire surface of your couch.
Don’t forget to vacuum up all those pesky crumbs before you start wiping down your cushions with soap and water. They’ll just end up right back in your carpet again if you don’t take care of them now. It’s also important not to use any chemicals that could stain your leather; some people have accidentally used bleach which caused permanent damage to their expensive furniture. Lastly, never over wet the couch when it’s time for it’s monthly washing because it will cause stains in the future from too much moisture left behind.
