How to Care for Your Sofa

No matter what style of furniture you have in your living room, a quality sofa often becomes the anchor piece for the room. It’s where you spend down-time with your partner, or where you gather your family for game night, or it can be your personal sanctuary for a solo night in.

However, because sofas are one of your most-used pieces of furniture, it is important that you know how to care for them properly too. Prevention and maintenance are key for prolonging the life of your sofa and keeping it looking neat. Here are our best tips to help you look after your sofa.

 

Prevent Damage

Taking a few precautionary steps is the best way you can ensure that your sofa will last for years to come.

Start by adding pads to the feet of your sofa, this prevents the feet from being scuffed and it also helps avoid damage to the floor underneath. Use blankets and extra cushions to protect the material of your sofa. If you think your sofa is starting to look a little worn, try placing a soft throw over the area where you usually sit. It will help protect the material from further damage. To stop the colour of your sofa from fading too quickly, keep it away from direct sunlight. Keep it away from naked flames too, as this can make the colour fade or dull.

Stop Your Sofa From Losing Its Shape

There are a couple of simple things you can do to keep your sofa firm and stop it from losing its shape.

First, rotate your cushions regularly as they can lose volume over time. Moving them around regularly will keep your cushions plump for longer, though they may need replacing after a few years. Second, you can also prevent your whole sofa from losing shape (or losing volume in one area more than others) by sitting in different places, rather than only sitting in the same spot.

Clean Your Sofa Regularly

The best way to look after your sofa is to keep it clean. A quick clean of your sofa each week will help keep your sofa in great quality for longer. The way you clean your sofa will depend on the material.

Leather

Dust can build up quickly on leather sofas so it’s important to give it a light dusting with a soft dry cloth or feather duster each week. Once you’ve done this, vacuum down the sides of the sofa and between the cushions. Getting rid of all the grit and particles that can rub and scratch the leather regularly will slow down any wear and tear of the sofa.

If you’re not sure about using a vacuum on your sofa, you can double-check on the label. It will be marked with the following:

W: Can be cleaned with water
S: Must be dry-cleaned – do not use water
X: Can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner

Avoid using things like leather wipes, sprays, detergent or oil which are more likely to damage your leather sofa in the long run. If you have any spills, just blot up it straight away using an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll.

Fabric

Fabric sofas can also benefit from weekly vacuuming as this helps to prevent the build-up of dirt which can lead to the dulling or discolouration of the fabric.

It’s best to check the label on your sofa before you put the cushion covers in the washing machine too, as it can sometimes dull the colour of the fabric. If you find any stains, dab it with a water-based cleaner or dry-cleaning solvent. Don’t rub the stain as it can become ingrained in the fibres.

Velvet

Velvet sofas will need a little more TLC than plain fabric sofas, too. Remove any marks by using a suede brush and brushing the velvet fabric in the direction of the pile. On top of regularly vacuuming it, your velvet sofa will also benefit from a steam clean once a year.

 

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