How to clean a sofa with soda, remove grease and dirt

Dry cleaning a sofa with baking soda

Baking soda is considered an effective cleaning agent for upholstered furniture. It disinfects and kills pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms: for example, dust mites. To get rid of a stain without using a solution, simply sprinkle baking soda over the stain in a 1-2 cm layer. Leave for 40-50 minutes, then use a vacuum cleaner to collect the powder. Dry cleaning works well for removing fresh stains.

Soda powder can also be used to dry the sofa after using liquid solutions. When you remove the solution, simply fill the wet area with baking soda - it absorbs moisture well, allowing the sofa to dry out faster.

Care instructions

There are certain recommendations, following which you will need to resort to cleaning furniture less often. Namely:

the sofa should correspond to the part of the house where it will be located;
in a house where dogs live, light shades in interior items should be avoided;
the sofa must be covered with a blanket, so it will be protected from contamination;
It is not recommended to eat on the sofa;
Periodically clean the upholstery with special products to avoid old stains.

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Cleaning a sofa with baking soda and vinegar

Cleaning the sofa with vinegar and soda will also help get rid of unpleasant odors, including the acrid smell of urine or the corrosive “aroma” of tobacco.

However, before using soda solutions, check whether the sofa upholstery will change color under the influence of the powder. To do this, carry out a test cleaning on a small area; if the fabric changes color after the procedure, you cannot use soda.

There are several ways to clean and disinfect upholstered furniture:

A combined solution of baking soda powder and acetic acid, which is suitable for removing blood, urine and other greasy stains. Take a spray bottle, pour in 1/3 tbsp. vinegar essence and 0.5 l. water. Then add 1 tbsp. l. soda powder. Spray the product evenly over the surface and leave for 10-15 minutes. Remove foam with a medium-hard brush, then wipe with a damp cloth.
Cleaning with vinegar solution. The solution is prepared from 1 tsp. 9% vinegar diluted in 1 liter. water. Soak a sheet in the prepared solution and cover the entire surface of the sofa with it. If one sheet is not enough, use two. Take a beater and thoroughly tap the upholstered furniture - all the dirt will remain on the sheet. Repeat the procedure until the sheet stops getting dirty. For a more delicate cleaning, reduce the amount of vinegar to 1/2 teaspoon. — this solution is suitable for cleaning velor sofas.

How to clean a fabric sofa

Before you begin cleaning your sofa, please read the following guidelines and precautions.

All upholstery cleaning products must first be tested on invisible areas (for example, under or behind the sofa).
Before cleaning a flock sofa, make sure that the product you choose does not contain alcohol. After cleaning, go over the entire upholstery with a soft-bristled brush to straighten out the lint.
To clean a microfiber sofa at home, use only dry methods. Wet cleaning is possible only in extreme cases.
To clean a light-colored sofa, use only white cloths. Colored fabric exposed to detergents can stain light-colored upholstery.
Do not use bleach or undiluted vinegar.

See also the material: Sofa expert - choosing a sofa for the kitchen.

Step 1. The first thing you need to do is get rid of the dust. You can skip this step if you are only concerned about local contamination. However, if you get down to business thoroughly, then first the upholstery of upholstered furniture must be cleaned of accumulated dust, and at the same time of wool, strewn crumbs, etc. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: With a vacuum cleaner: If you have a vacuum cleaner at home, great, you just need to vacuum the upholstery, paying special attention to all the seams and corners. You can use a special furniture attachment (preferably with a brush) or just a dust collection pipe.

Method 2. Without a vacuum cleaner (for fleecy fabrics): If there is no vacuum cleaner in the house or if the sofa upholstery is made of velor, velvet or any other fleecy fabric, then simply knock out the dust. Prepare an old sheet and a carpet beater. Soak the sheet in water (you can use a soap solution) and wring it out (you can do this using a washing machine in the rinse and wash cycle). Next, cover the furniture with a cloth and begin actively knocking out the dust, without missing a single corner. This way you can clean the sofa from dust without polluting the air, because it will remain on the fabric.

Step 2. Manually remove solid dirt, if any. If necessary, you can scrape off the dirt with the butt of a knife, spatula or other object with a blunt edge.

Hardened dirt cannot be scraped off from fabrics with pile (flock, velor or chenille). They need to be soaked in soapy foam.

Step 3. Finally, we get rid of the stains.

How to clean a sofa with Vanish

To begin with, you can try a universal solution for removing stains from upholstered furniture, which is suitable for all types of fabrics - foam from soap solution or any mild detergent, for example, Vanisha for cleaning carpets. Simply apply the foam directly to the stained areas, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse the fabric clean and finally remove excess moisture with a clean rag.

If the stain still remains, try removing it:

A solution of 9% vinegar (2 tbsp/1 l of water);
A solution of shampoo with warm water and 10 drops of ammonia.

In most cases, these simple procedures are enough to clean the sofa, for example, from stains of tea, coffee, chocolate, white wine, beer, jam, cola, etc.

If soap doesn’t work on the stain, but you can determine its origin, then look for your case in the following collection of cleaning recipes:

How to clean urine from a sofa? This is one of the most complex organic contaminants, which may not be noticeable on the fabric, but emits a pungent odor. As a rule, over time, the inhabitants of the house may get used to it and not feel it at all, but guests catch the specific aroma immediately. How to clean a sofa from child urine or animal urine? As soon as this trouble occurs, blot the stained area with napkins so that the urine is absorbed. Next, dry it with a hairdryer so that there are no streaks left. If the upholstery fabric is colored, then treat the stain with a solution of 9% vinegar (in a ratio of 1:5) or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. How to clean urine from a light-colored sofa at home? In this case, the stain must be treated with a solution of citric acid (in a ratio of 1:10). After 30-60 minutes, wash the area with soap/shampoo solution and finally wash the upholstery with clean water and dry.
How to clean a sofa from grease stains? Sprinkle the fresh stain with fine salt and let it absorb all the grease (3-5 minutes). Soak the remaining mark in Fairy foam or any other dishwashing detergent for 10-15 minutes, then rinse the area clean and dry.

How to remove a wine stain from a sofa? Blot the fresh stain with a napkin and cover it with fine salt. Allow the salt to absorb moisture, repeat the procedure if necessary. Brush off the salt with a soft-bristled brush and wash the stain with ethyl alcohol and then soap suds. Next, remove any remaining soap with water and blot the area dry with napkins.
How to remove chewing gum from the sofa? To remove gum from sofa upholstery, you need to freeze it. To do this, place a couple of ice cubes on it one by one (you can use it in a bag). Once the gum has hardened, carefully scrape it off. If a stain remains on the upholstery after removing the chewing gum, apply methyl alcohol to it and wipe clean.
How to wipe off a felt-tip pen, ballpoint pen, lipstick and nail polish? Apply ethyl/ammonia or acetone to the stain, then rinse the area clean.
How to remove wax from a sofa? Let the wax harden, then break it and scrape it off. Cover the wax mark with a thin cotton cloth or two or three paper napkins and iron it several times. If necessary, repeat the procedure again.
How to remove blood stains from a sofa? Fresh blood stains should be quickly soaked with cold water until they disappear completely. If the stain is old, then you need to hold it longer under ice cubes, soak it in a weak solution of vinegar (2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar per 1 liter of water) and, finally, wash the area with soap and water.
How to remove a juice stain on a sofa? Apply a solution of ammonia and 9% vinegar to the stain, then rinse the fabric with a clean, damp cloth.

Step 4. If the upholstery of your sofa has become dull or has an unpleasant smell, and simple dusting does not solve the problem, then you can wash the entire upholstery:

Soap solution: warm water + mild soap;
Shampoo solution: warm water + shampoo;
A weak solution of 9% vinegar with water (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water);
You can use alcohol (for example, vodka) to clean upholstered furniture with microfiber upholstery.

For convenience, spray the product from a spray bottle.

To remove odors from a light-colored sofa, you can sprinkle baking soda all over the upholstery, leave it for 20-60 minutes, and then vacuum it with a furniture brush attachment. The soda should absorb the unpleasant odor.

After cleaning a sofa that has lint upholstery, go over the entire fabric with a soft or medium-hard bristle brush. This technique will “fluff” the fibers and refresh the color.

And finally, we suggest watching the following video on how to clean a sofa from dust and dirt at home.

See also the material: How to clean an automatic washing machine from dirt and scale in 5 steps.

Vinegar, baking soda and detergent for cleaning a sofa

To remove stubborn stains, you can use a mixture of any detergent and baking soda powder. This mixture penetrates better into the fabric structure, removing even deeply ingrained stains.

Take 1 tbsp. soda powder and 1 tbsp. any dishwashing detergent: for example, “Fairy”. If you don’t have dishwashing liquid on hand, use the same amount of any liquid soap.
Dilute the components in 500 ml. water. Stir until a thick foam forms, then apply the foam mixture to the contaminated area. Leave for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with a little water.
The only disadvantage of this product is the possible appearance of stains on the fabric. For a streak-free cleanser, replace soap or Fairy with 1 tablespoon fabric softener.

If you can’t clean the upholstery using a gentle method, it’s time to use the “heavy artillery” - a soda-vinegar solution, which is prepared in the following proportions:

Mix 1 tsp in a large volume spray bottle. dish soap, 150 ml. 9% vinegar and 0.5 l. hot water. Shake, then add 1 tbsp. soda
The spray bottle will begin to produce abundant foam, at which point the substance should be sprayed onto the contaminated area.
Wait 5 minutes, then wipe the “foamy” areas with a brush or damp sponge.

Fairy with soda

The dish cleaner mentioned in the subtitle, in combination with sodium bicarbonate, will remove many even very stubborn stains.

The solution is prepared as follows:

a tablespoon of soda is mixed with a similar volume of Fairy;
add 500 milliliters of water;
shake the container until abundant foam forms;
apply it to problem areas;
leave for 10 minutes;
wash off with a washcloth soaked in cool water;
dry the treated area with a hairdryer.

If streaks form, vacuum them thoroughly using a bristle brush.

Cleaning the sofa with alcohol and soda

Cleaning the sofa with alcohol and soda will help remove stains from juice or other “stained” liquids. In 40 ml. dilute ammonia with 0.5 tsp. soda powder, apply the resulting product to the furniture. Leave to dry, then remove any remaining baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.

A 10% alcohol solution will help remove stains from a leather or leatherette sofa. You just need to wipe the stain several times - the alcohol will dissolve the dirt, and the remaining dirt can be collected with a damp sponge.

Other ways to clean upholstered furniture

Method 1 – laundry soap and bicarbonate

If there is a small child or a curious animal in the house, you should give preference to laundry soap, which will definitely not harm anyone.

After grating a bar of soap, you need to add a tablespoon of bicarbonate and a little warm water to it. Water is needed so that both ingredients can better interact with each other.

After spreading the mixture over the surface of the sofa, leave it for about half an hour and rinse off with a damp sponge.

Bicarbonate powder and white vinegar solution remove stains, eliminate odors and refresh the color of fabric, returning furniture to its original appearance.

Method 2 – wet cleaning with baking soda and vinegar

You can try another method, the authors of which suggest combining both cleaning products and applying them at the same time.

You need to combine a third of a tablespoon of acid and 0.5 liters of water. Add a tablespoon of bicarbonate to the resulting mixture. Pour everything into a spray bottle and apply evenly to the sofa cover. After 15 minutes, remove the product with a brush and rinse with a damp sponge.

Method 3 – dry cleaning video

This method was discussed a little higher. It is necessary to scatter bicarbonate powder over the surface of the sofa, and after a short period of time, collect it with a vacuum cleaner.

Dry cleaning a sofa with soda is suitable for surfaces for which moisture is dangerous: velvet, silk, and other expensive fabrics.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning a sofa

To wash furniture from fruit, vegetable and berry stains, and to get rid of stains left by wine, tea or coffee, you will need to clean the sofa with soda and peroxide:

Mix sodium bicarbonate and 3% hydrogen peroxide in a 1:2 ratio. The required amount of solution is prepared; there is no need to prepare “in reserve” - the mixture is used immediately and is not stored.
Apply the product to the stain and wait until the contaminated area begins to discolor. Do not allow the product to come into contact with clean areas - it may discolor even clean fabric.
Remove the solution with a damp sponge, then rinse the cloth. Dry with a hair dryer.

Homemade cleaning products

Using baking soda and vinegar

A solution that is too concentrated may damage the fabric or leather. It will become discolored. Therefore, you should take only 9% table vinegar, and not essence. The essence will damage the coating and may cause burns on your hands if you do not protect them with gloves.

It is advisable not to mix the products, but to do everything in stages: first treat the surface with one product, then another (usually vinegar is taken first, then bicarbonate, but some recipes have a different sequence).

How to apply to fabric correctly

If the product is a liquid substance, then the best way is to apply it with a spray bottle. This way you can achieve even distribution.

If it is a powder mixture, you should arm yourself with a medium-hard brush. It is necessary to remember: soft fabrics (velor, velvet) should not be rubbed too hard so as not to spoil them. A sponge (the kind intended for washing dishes) is suitable for such surfaces.

How to prepare the surface

Crumbs should be removed from the upholstery and dust should be swept away. If necessary, you need to wash the furniture using a damp cloth and dry it.

You should not rearrange the sofa so that it receives a lot of sunlight: this leads to loss of the original color.

We only use soda

Sodium bicarbonate powder should be poured onto the seat and contaminated surfaces so that it covers the entire area with a layer of 1-2 cm. Leave in this form for 50 minutes. Then collect the powder with a vacuum cleaner.

The method is suitable for removing fresh wet stains. In addition, bicarbonate kills bacteria and dust mites, so such “prevention” is worth carrying out from time to time.

You can prepare a soda-based wet cleaning product. You will need: sodium bicarbonate (1 part) and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts). The mixture should be used to treat the most “damaged” parts of the upholstery. This must be done carefully: if the product gets on the fabric outside the stain, it can make it several tones lighter.

We use one vinegar

Vinegar can be used to clean not only leather (natural or artificial), but also fabric surfaces: velor, linen, silk, tapestry. A vinegar solution works great on greasy stains.

For a teaspoon of table vinegar, take a tablespoon of water. You need to soak a large piece of cloth, such as a sheet, in this solution. Cover the sofa with a cloth and “walk” over it with patting movements. Then remove the sheet, rinse, soak it in liquid again, and place it on the sofa. The operation must be repeated until dirt remains on the fabric.

Reviews

Angelina, 43 years old, Kirov. An incredibly dirty sofa was left in the apartment from the previous owners. I tried “Vanish” and other fashionable products - zero results. A neighbor advised cleaning it with vinegar and soda. Of course it smells terrible, but the result exceeded all expectations - the sofa was cleaned quickly, the first time.

Maria, 23 years old, Minsk. The kid spilled tomato juice on the sofa. We didn’t notice it right away; the juice had managed to soak into the upholstery. I thought I couldn’t remove the stain, but I read reviews about baking soda and detergent. I made the mixture, applied it - after 10 minutes. There was no trace left of the stain!

The best folk remedies for cleaning a sofa on video.

Preparation of the product: proportions

A common solution is a solution of vinegar and sodium bicarbonate, which removes the following contaminants:

urine of animals and children;
grease stains, drinks and food debris;
blood;
traces of fruits and vegetables.

With water

To prepare the cleaning mixture, use half a liter of water, 100 ml of table vinegar and 25 grams of soda, then mix the composition. Place the contents in a spray bottle and apply to the top layer of the sofa, leaving it for 30 minutes. After soaking, wipe the surface with a stiff brush or sponge, and remove any remaining solution with a damp cloth. The final stage is drying the sofa and removing the residue with a vacuum cleaner. See how you can make a carpet cleaner that is also effective at removing stains.

With water and alcohol

An effective cleaning method is a solution of vinegar and soda containing 10% ammonia. This option is used to remove greasy stains, traces of drinks and food, dusty layers, as well as general dirt. To prepare such a composition, use 0.5 liters of warm water, 150 ml of 9% vinegar, 25 grams of soda and 1 teaspoon of ammonia. The resulting solution quickly destroys stubborn stains, but has a specific odor that is transmitted to the upper layers of the furniture.

With water, alcohol and conditioner

A decent method is to use a solution containing alcohol and fabric softener. Experts say that the admixture of air conditioner has a detrimental effect on the surface of the sofa, but in the right proportion the solution softens the fabric and does not leave streaks. To make it, use 0.5 liters of water, 200 ml of vinegar, 50 grams of soda and 150 ml of light fabric softener.

With water and fairies

This method is considered identical to the previous one, only “fairy” is used instead of air conditioning. A distinctive feature is the appearance of stains on colored fabrics, but the solution cleans coarse and greasy stains. The composition includes 400 ml of warm water, 200 ml of vinegar, 50 grams of soda and 150 ml of “fairy”. By applying the prepared product to the surface of the furniture, stains disappear from the upper layers. After cleaning, wipe the furniture with a damp cloth, then dry and remove any remaining mixture with a vacuum cleaner.

With detergent

The use of detergent has a positive effect on the solution, but this composition leaves streaks. Prepare the mixture using 500 ml of water, 150 ml of vinegar, 100 grams of soda and 200 ml of detergent. The prepared consistency is infused for half an hour and applied in an even layer to the surface of the sofa. After this, they wipe, dry and remove any remaining impurities. Cleaning the microwave with pure vinegar or with the addition of detergents is also possible.

With washing powder

A decent cleaning option that offers the addition of laundry detergent. In essence, this method is no different from the previous one, but is considered more effective due to the content of powder, which removes stains. To prepare, use 0.5 liters of water, 100 grams of washing powder, 100 ml of vinegar and 50 grams of soda. The solution ideally cleans the surface of greasy stains.

Which remedy is the most effective?

In terms of effectiveness, it is difficult to choose the best method, since each of them has an equal number of advantages and disadvantages. If we consider using a solution that does not cause any harm, then the best option would be a mixture of vinegar and soda. The consistency does not have a specific odor that eats into the furniture, does not leave streaks and makes the surface of the sofa harder. Vinegar and baking soda are a solution for treating fabric coverings.