A complete guide to cleaning and maintaining fabric sofas

2025-10-26

Compared with leather sofas, fabric sofas are relatively easy to get dirty and more difficult to clean, so you should dust the sofa regularly, preferably once a week. Pay attention to removing dust in blind spots and between fabric structures.

If there is only a little dust on the surface of the living room fabric sofa , you can use a vacuum cleaner or duster to remove the dust on the surface, and then wipe it gently with a cotton towel. Do not use a suction brush when removing dust, as it may damage the fabric threads; it is best to use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a flat nozzle to remove the dust on the surface of the fabric sofa.

When using a fabric sofa at ordinary times, you can cover it with a sofa cover, and then clean the sofa cover regularly. This can not only have a certain protective effect on the fabric sofa, but also make our cleaning work easier and more convenient.

Protect from the sun

Sunlight is extremely harmful to fabric sofas. Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause changes in the fabric material and significantly shorten its lifespan. Temperature fluctuations can also cause fading and hardening, which can affect the comfort of fabric sofas. Therefore, try to minimize exposure to sunlight and heat when placing your sofa. If this is unavoidable, use transparent curtains to block out the sun.

Rotate sofa cushions frequently

Sitting in the same spot on a fabric sofa for extended periods can cause varying degrees of deformation or even significant surface damage. Regularly rotating the sofa cushions can evenly distribute the damage, extending the lifespan, aesthetics, and comfort of the fabric sofa. You can also take the cushions outdoors frequently to loosen the fibers and prevent deformation. Fabric sofa manufacturers use materials that can become damaged if not properly maintained.

No need to frequently dust

The corners of modern simple fabric sofas are particularly prone to dust accumulation. To deal with dust, people usually just pat the dust on the sofa. It may be convenient to remove dust, but frequent patting will loosen the tight cotton wool in the sofa, which will cause the sofa cushion to deform over time.

Just wash it once every six months

Frequent cleaning can cause the sofa's color to fade, diminishing its original texture and fading its sparkle. After cleaning the sofa's cable covers, be mindful that some stretch covers require ironing. Even if ironing is necessary, consider the fabric's shape; ironing the inside of the cover is best. Regardless of the brand of fabric sofa, care and maintenance are essential.

Allow adequate drying time after cleaning

In the summer, when the sun shines brightly, many people believe that exposing the pillowcases and seat cushions of luxury fabric sofas to the sun can eliminate germs and bacteria, and the longer the better. This is actually a misconception. While UV light can be effective in removing bacteria, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can gradually harden and become brittle, and the color can fade, shortening the sofa's lifespan.

The sofa should not be against the wall as much as possible

To create more space, many people place furniture against walls wherever possible. In fact, if your home isn't too crowded, it's best to leave a 0.5cm gap between the sofa and the wall. This prevents moisture from damaging the sofa. It also allows for ample air circulation on the side of the sofa that's against the wall, extending its lifespan.