At a Glance:
How to Clean a Faux Leather Couch
How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
How to Clean a Polyester Couch
A sofa stain every now and then is impossible to avoid. When you’re living life to the fullest and truly relaxing in your living room, you’re going to need to learn how to handle a stain on couch with confidence. Have no fear. We’ve put together a guide to cleaning your couch just for these situations, where we offer general couch cleaning tips, discuss how to tackle common stains like ink and chocolate, and break down caring for the most popular couch upholstery styles from leather to chenille.
Discover Sofa Deals
For every kind of lifestyle, Colder's has an upholstered sofa to meet your needs.
Shop NowGeneral Couch Cleaning Tips
Our go-to couch cleaning tips are:
| Tip | Why It's Important | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Consult the Universal Cleaning Code on Your Couch | Some couches can be cleaned with water and others with a solvent-based cleaner, while some should only be vacuumed. Your couch has a specific cleaning code to help you care for it properly. For example, the universal cleaning code E instructs furniture owners to use a leather care kit while X tells you not to clean with either water or solvent-based cleaners—only vacuuming or light brushing is recommended. | ||
| Know What Material Your Couch is Made of | You care for a leather couch completely differently than a velvet or wool couch, so it’s crucial to know your couch’s upholstery material. | ||
| Routine Care is Crucial | Vacuum your couch regularly or use a brush or lint roller to remove pet hair and lint. This would be a great addition to your daily or weekly cleaning routine. | ||
| Act Immediately When Stains Happen | Don’t wait until it has a chance to soak into the fibers of your couch. Address stains right away by absorbing as much of the mess with paper towels or a cloth before moving on to the right steps for handling your sofa’s upholstery. | ||
Tackling Stubborn Sofa Stains
There are a few common stains you might encounter, like blood or mud. When tackling these stains, always remember to check your couch’s cleaning code before proceeding. If you’re using an upholstery cleaner or even just soap and vinegar, it’s wise to test in an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolor the upholstery.
Some stains are more stubborn than others, so check out these tips to remove stain from couch surfaces, no matter the stain:
How to get ink stain out of couch:
- Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub; this will spread the stain further. Dampen a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the ink stain. Be patient and don’t scrub. If your cloth is getting saturated with ink, switch to a new cloth. Repeat as necessary.
- Once the stain is significantly lighter, dip a clean cloth into a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Gently blot the area to remove any remaining rubbing alcohol residue. Rinse the cloth with clean water and blot the area again to remove the soap. Allow the cleaned area to air dry. Avoid using a hair dryer or heat source, as heat can set the stain.
How to get blood stain out of couch:
- Using the blotting technique, rinse the stained area with cold water (using cold water is essential). Mix cold water with dish soap and blot the bloodstain. If the stain remains, you can use a hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) with cold water (approximately one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water).
- If there's still a slight residue or moisture, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda or cornstarch over the area to help absorb any remaining moisture. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum or brush it away.
How to remove mud stains from couch:
- Unlike other stains that should be treated right away, it's crucial not to attempt cleaning while the mud is still wet. Let the mud dry completely on the couch. Attempting to clean it while it's wet can spread the stain and make it more difficult to remove.
- Once the mud is dry, use a plastic spoon or butter knife to gently scrape off as much of the dried mud as possible. Use a soft-bristle brush or a clean toothbrush to gently brush away any remaining loose dirt or dried mud particles. Brush in the direction of the fabric's grain.
- In a small bowl, mix a few drops of mild liquid dish soap with cold water to create a soapy solution. Avoid using too much soap, as excessive soap can leave residue on the fabric. Blot the stain, rinse with cold water, and use baking soda if there is still some residue or moisture. Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight to help absorb any remaining moisture and odor. Then, vacuum or brush it away. Depending on the severity of the stain, you may need to repeat these steps until the mud stain is entirely gone.
How to clean pet stains from couch:
- In a spray bottle, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and cold water. This can help neutralize the odor. Spray the vinegar-water solution onto the stain and blot it gently with a clean towel. Continue blotting until no more of the stain transfers to the towel.
- Next, Rinse the area with cold water to remove the vinegar solution. Blot with a clean towel to absorb excess moisture. If the stain remains, you may want to use an enzymatic pet stain remover. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and leave it to sit for the recommended time. After using the pet stain remover, blot the area again with clean towels to absorb any remaining moisture and cleaner. Rinse with cold water and blot dry.
- Once the area is mostly dry, sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Baking soda can help absorb any lingering odors. Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda. Make sure the area is completely dry before vacuuming. Depending on the severity of the stain and odor, you may need to repeat these steps multiple times.
How to get chocolate stain out of couch:
- Use a butter knife or spoon to gently scrape off as much of the excess chocolate as possible. Be careful not to spread or push the stain further into the fabric. Blot the remaining chocolate stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any chocolate residue.
- In a small bowl, mix a few drops of mild liquid dish soap with cold water to create a soapy solution. Blot with the soapy solution and then rinse the area with cold water to remove the soap and chocolate residues. Blot with a clean cloth to absorb excess moisture. If there's still a slight stain or moisture, you can sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the affected area.
- Let it sit for a few hours or overnight to absorb any remaining moisture and odor. If you use baking soda, vacuum the area with a vacuum cleaner equipped with an upholstery attachment to remove the baking soda. Ensure the area is completely dry before vacuuming. After the couch has dried, inspect the area for any remaining chocolate stains. If necessary, repeat the steps until the stain is completely gone.
Remember that if you’re ever truly stumped by a stain, you can contact a professional cleaning service.
How to Clean a Leather Couch
A leather couch stain is a bummer, but it’s not impossible to treat. Here are some simple steps to clean a leather sofa:
- Remove dust and debris with a vacuum with an upholstery brush.
- Wipe away grime with a microfiber. You can use a mixture of water and mild soap. Make sure your cloth is damp but not dripping.
- Dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- If you have a grease stain, blot the area with a paper towel and sprinkle a layer of cornstarch or talcum powder. Let this sit for at least four hours and then vacuum. The powder will help absorb the grease.
- If you have an ink stain, use water and mild soap.
Featured Leather Sofa: England Furniture Leather Sofa
Shop This England Furniture Leather Sofa
This stylish leather couch comes in a sleek silhouette perfect for a modern or contemporary living room. You can choose from a wide selection of leather colors, each made with top-grain leather for a luxurious relaxation experience with durability to last for years. England Furniture is one of the best brands to shop when it comes to quality and construction, and this leather sofa is a prime example of that fine craftsmanship.
How to Clean a Faux Leather Couch
Good news: Faux leather is pretty easy to clean. You can handle most stains with water and dish soap, but rubbing alcohol might be necessary on occasion. Remember to spot test in an inconspicuous area, and never use heat to dry faux leather, but instead, let it air dry.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive rubbing. Depending on the grade of faux leather, excessive force can cause the bonding between the leather and foundation can peel. Instead, use gentle wiping motions, and always regard the cleaning code.
Featured Faux Leather Sofa: Jackson Furniture Marco Gunmetal Sofa
Shop This Jackson Furniture Faux Leather Sofa
Faux leather allows you to get the luxurious look of leather for less, and it’s easy to keep clean. This Jackson Furniture sofa uses faux leather with contrasting stitching to add visual interest and elegance to the piece. It is a comfortable sofa in a unique neutral that is perfect for a casual den or family room. This is a great option for high-traffic living areas where family members of all ages gather and the occasional accident might happen.
How to Clean a Suede Couch
Start by consulting your couch’s cleaning codes. For cleaning stains on suede, The Spruce recommends white vinegar mixed with warm water. You can also use cornstarch for oily stains, or a baking soda paste for any type of stain. A mixture of mild soap and water is great, and it’s even better if you add white vinegar. Once you’ve addressed your stain, make sure to air dry it and vacuum up any baking soda or cornstarch.
Featured Suede Sofa: Flexsteel Nirvana Saddle Power Reclining Sofa with Power Headrests
This suede coach is the sweet spot between leather and microfiber, offering elegance and durability. We love this transitional style couch that could be at home in a modern, contemporary, or rustic design. You can relax in style in your living room with pillow-like cushions and power reclining. Best of all, it’s made by Flexsteel, which features the exclusive DualFlex foundation for extra support for years of use.
How to Clean a Microfiber Couch
Microfiber is known for being an affordable and durable couch upholstery option. Because microfiber is made with polyester or a blend of polyester fibers, it is prone to watermarks, and it can easily absorb the oil from your hands or hair. Understanding microfiber couch care can help you keep your couch looking brand new.
Here are some options:
- Soap Suds and Water: Mix water and mild soap, and use a whisk to create soap suds. Using a scrubbing brush or sponge, dip into the suds (not the water) and scrub your fabric couch. Then rinse and fluff, using an upholstery brush or vacuum attachment to fluff any imperfections in the fabric.
- Microfiber Couches with an S Code: You can use rubbing alcohol or a solvent-based upholstery cleaner to tackle stains. Lightly spray the microfiber with the cleaner, scrub the spot with a brush or cloth, and let it air dry.
- Baking Soda & More: Sprinkling baking soda on a microfiber couch can help absorb odors, while cornstarch can address grease stains.
Featured Microfiber Sofa: Catnapper Sadler Mica Power Lay Flat Reclining Sofa with Drop Down Table
Shop This Catnapper Microfiber Sofa
This microfiber couch is easy to clean whether you are addressing a stain or using a lint roller for routine maintenance. Made of 100% polyester, this sofa is cozy and pet- and kid-friendly. It’s a great choice for a casual, high-traffic living room. You’ll love curling up in its plush cushions and kicking back with lay-flat power reclining, plus surprising add-ons like gel-infused memory foam in the seating and accent pillows for a dash of style.
How to Clean a Polyester Couch
Because polyester is a synthetic material, you need to use gentle and simple cleaning techniques. Vacuum regularly to deal with dust, dirt, and dander. You can use a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water when necessary, but make sure not to soak any areas because polyester is susceptible to watermarks.
Featured Polyester Sofa: Benchcraft Abney Driftwood Sofa Chaise
Shop This Benchcraft Polyester Sofa
This neutral sofa is the perfect couch for small living spaces. You can tuck it into a corner or center it in the room, and the chaise gives you a spot to stretch out. A simple silhouette, tailored look, and faux wood feet make this an adaptable sofa that would fit well in a number of design styles from transitional to coastal. It’s a good thing this pick is made of easy-to-clean polyester, because its irresistible layout with high-resiliency foam cushions will get a lot of use.
How to Clean a Chenille Couch
A chenille couch is a great way to get the luxurious look of velvet in a more durable and easy-to-clean fabric. It’s extra soft and fairly durable, although its looped design may not be the best if you have pets because claws can easily snag this fabric.
With that in mind, cleaning should start with a good vacuuming and soft movements to preserve the texture of chenille. From there, spot treat stains. In most cases, chenille sofas should not be cleaned with water, but confirm which solvents are acceptable by reading the cleaning code. Instead, use a solvent-based fabric cleaner, or even better, a specific chenille fabric cleaner. Use sparingly to avoid soaking the area, dabbing stains clean. Repeat the steps as necessary.
Featured Chenille Sofa: Benchcraft Wixon Slate Sofa
Shop This Benchcraft Chenille Sofa
This chenille sofa is cozy and soft to the touch. From its slate color to its simple silhouette and geometric patterned throw pillows, this is the perfect couch for a contemporary living room design. Chunky chenille adds texture and visual interest while inviting you to sit down and stay a while and enjoy high-resiliency cushions that support your for all your downtime.
If you’ve been wondering what kind of couch upholstery to choose or how to care for the couch you have, this guide gives you an overview to tackle the most common and stubborn stains. As you search for the perfect couch, there are a number of reasons why you might pick one type of upholstery over another. You may prefer the luxurious look of leather or the soft feel of chenille. You can find the best selection of stylish and affordable couches in the Milwaukee area at Colder’s. Shop online or visit one of our Milwaukee furniture stores near you to explore more styles.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing on your home needs!
Shop Couches at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop living room furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to teach you how to clean a couch, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Sofa Care Tips