Ultimate Guide: Easy Tips for Sofa Maintenance You Need to Know（Part1)

Your sofa is the centerpiece of your living room and your go-to spot for relaxation. If your sofa has cost you a good chunk of change, keeping it in pristine condition is a top priority. But let’s face it, maintaining that shiny, new look can be a challenge. The Fajiani team will share some essential tips to help you care for your sofa and keep it looking stunning for years to come. Read the following guide to sofa care, these simple steps will make a great difference in your sofa’s longevity and appeal.

Cleaning of fabric sofas

Nordic sofas are mainly divided into three categories: fabric, leather, and wood (rattan). Let's take a look at fabric sofas first. After all, nine out of ten people have fabric sofas at home.

Fabric sofas are the leader of Nordic style. They can be lively, restrained, casual, and elegant. With Nordic thin legs, they are naturally high-quality. The more troublesome thing is that fabric sofas are easy to accumulate dust and breed mites. What's more troublesome is that spilled coffee will penetrate into the sofa in a while. So how to maintain and clean fabric sofas?

The most urgent thing is to find out the material of the sofa. Is it pure cotton, cotton and linen, flannel or velvet? In fact, fabric sofas are also divided into several categories: washable, non-washable, and non-detachable.

Washable fabric sofa

There are mainly the following types of washable fabric sofas: blended, cotton, and jacquard fabric sofas.

Blended fabrics are mainly composed of cotton and chemical fiber materials. They are cheap and can be disguised as silk, flannel, and linen. The experience is not high. They look good but not very comfortable. The advantage is that they are easy to wash and iron-free. The sofa cover can be directly thrown into the washing machine for washing. It is the most hassle-free among several fabrics.

Cotton sofas are soft and thick, and have a good texture. They are heat-resistant, alkali-resistant, breathable, and skin-friendly. Cotton sofas can be washed, but they are suitable for low-temperature washing, and hand washing is preferred. Machine washing is prone to pilling. Do not dehydrate or dry, and do not use bleach to prevent the fabric from shrinking, deforming, and fading. If you find loose threads, do not tear them off by hand, just cut them neatly with scissors.

Tip1: Test before washing with water

Before washing with water, it is recommended to take a piece of cloth cover for testing, use a neutral detergent, clean the edges and corners of the cloth cover to see if it will fade. If it will not fade, it means that it can be cleaned by water.

Tip2: Avoid strong cleaning

Try to avoid washing in a washing machine to avoid excessive pulling. Do not soak for too long for overnight to avoid deformation, difficulty in reassembly, and other problems.

Tip3: Air dry in the shade

Try to avoid exposing the sofa cover to the sun to prevent the color from becoming dull.

Non-washable sofa

Non-washable sofa covers mainly include linen and velvet sofas. Linen is the cortical fiber of plants, which can be divided into coarse linen, fine linen, and cotton and linen. Cotton and linen sofas have a softer touch. Linen can keep the fabric dry and comfortable for a long time, and will not mold in humid places. It is also called natural air conditioning. Linen fibers are wear-resistant, not easy to pilling, and have a steady color. It is the most important fabric for high-end sofas.

It is important to note that linen textiles will shrink significantly when they are washed for the first time, especially those with loose fabrics. The first shrinkage of linen textiles is often irreversible. Some brand manufacturers will pre-shrink before sewing, so theoretically they can be washed. If you find it difficult to judge, you can send it to a dry cleaner for dry cleaning.

The most attractive thing about velvet sofas is their delicate and gentle touch, which is as soft and thick as animal fur. Among fabric sofas, the most common ones are suede, chenille, and the popular velvet sofas. This type of sofa is not suitable for direct washing with water, and dry cleaning is recommended.

How to wash the non-removable cloth cover

For non-detachable fabric sofas, we recommend using vacuum cleaners, detergents, baking soda, soft brushes, towels and other tools to clean.

Tip1: Dust removal

First, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the entire sofa, especially the armrests, gaps, corners, and wall areas, which should be thoroughly cleaned.

Tip2: Detergent

Dissolve the special detergent in warm water, wet it with a soft brush, gently wipe the stains on the fabric, let it stand for 2 to 5 minutes, and then wipe it with a clean wet towel.

Tip3: Baking soda

What should I do if it gets damp and smells? It's very simple. Sprinkle baking soda evenly on it, let it stand for 3 to 5 minutes, and wipe it with a clean wet towel. It can also have a certain effect.

Tip4: Foam cleaner

Just spray it directly at a distance of 20 to 30 cm from the fabric surface, and when the foam becomes dry powder, brush it off with a soft brush. It may leave slight water marks, which can be blown dry at low temperature with a blow dryer to avoid uneven marks left by natural air drying.

Conclusion

Whether you have a washable, non-washable, or non-detachable fabric sofa, these simple maintenance tips will help keep your furniture clean, fresh, and long-lasting. From testing before washing to using tools like baking soda and foam cleaners, these strategies ensure your sofa remains the star of your living room. But we’re not done yet! In Part 2, we’ll dive into caring for leather, wooden, and rattan sofas—perfect for adding even more style and comfort to your home. Don’t miss out for the guide of part 2.