How to Clean a Sofa: Make Your Couch Look Like New Again

A sofa lives with you: coffee stains, crumbs, pet hair, the imprint of your favourite spot. Good news – cleaning your sofa is easier than you think. You just need to know which cover can take which treatment. In this guide we show you step by step how to remove stains, which household remedies really help and what you're better off avoiding.

The Most Important Step: The Care Label

Before you put anything on the cover, check the label (usually under the seat cushion). The letters tell you everything:

• W – cleaning with water permitted.
• S – dry cleaning only, no water.
• WS – water and dry cleaning both possible.
• X – vacuum only, no liquids.

If it says S or X, leave out water and household remedies – otherwise you risk watermarks.

Basic Cleaning: Vacuum Once a Month

The simplest and most effective step: vacuum your sofa regularly with the upholstery nozzle, including in the crevices and under the cushions. That way dirt never gets a chance to settle and the fibres stay loose. For pet hair, a damp rubber-gloved hand or a lint roller also helps.

Removing Stains – The Golden Rules

• Act immediately: Fresh stains almost always come out; dried-in ones hardly ever do.
• Dab, don't rub: Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fibres.
• Work from the outside in, otherwise the stain gets bigger.
• Test first: Always try it out on a hidden spot (the back, under the cushion).
• Blend the whole area: To avoid a ring forming, let the cleaned area fade out generously into its surroundings.

Cleaning Your Sofa by Material

Woven fabric / flat weave – the easiest cover to care for. Vacuum, dab stains with lukewarm water and a drop of mild washing-up liquid, leave to dry. You'll find many models in our sofa collection.

Bouclé – the fine loop structure doesn't like being scrubbed. Vacuum carefully only (low setting), dab stains gently, never brush – otherwise the loops pull. Find out more in our bouclé furniture.

Corduroy – always vacuum and dab with the grain so the pile stays even. Corduroy is robust and forgives a lot. Take a look at our corduroy furniture.

Velvet – the classic among the delicate fabrics. Lift the pile with a soft brush in the direction of the nap; pressure marks can usually simply be brushed out. Use water sparingly. To our velvet furniture.

Linen – natural and breathable, but sensitive to water: it can leave rings. Better to have it dry cleaned or work only very sparingly with water. To our linen furniture.

Leather – the least complicated: wipe with a slightly damp cloth and treat with leather conditioner two to three times a year to keep it supple. No harsh cleaners, no direct sunlight. To our leather furniture.

Household Remedies That Really Work

• Baking soda – against odours: sprinkle on a thin layer, leave to work for 1–2 hours, vacuum thoroughly.
• Mild washing-up liquid – one drop in half a litre of lukewarm water, dab with it. Enough for most everyday stains.
• Sparkling water – for fresh stains: the carbonation loosens residue; dab off with a cloth.

What You'd Better NOT Do

• ❌ No steam cleaner on delicate covers (bouclé, velvet, linen) – heat and moisture deform the fibres.
• ❌ No aggressive stain removers or bleach – they attack the colour.
• ❌ Don't soak it – too much water leaves rings and can seep into the foam.
• ❌ Don't dry with a hairdryer – let the sofa air-dry, but not in direct sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should you clean a sofa?
Vacuum about once a month, with a more thorough clean once or twice a year. Stains, of course, immediately.

Can I put the cover in the washing machine?
Only if it's removable and the label allows it. Then wash cold on a gentle cycle – and don't tumble dry, or it will shrink.

What helps against pet hair?
A lint roller, a dampened rubber glove or the upholstery nozzle. If you have pets, a cover in leather or robust woven fabric is well worth it.

How do I get odours out of the sofa?
Sprinkle on a thin layer of baking soda, leave to work for one to two hours, vacuum thoroughly. Works reliably and is gentle.

Conclusion

Cleaning a sofa isn't rocket science: read the label, vacuum regularly, treat stains immediately and with a light touch – and always test on a hidden spot first. With this routine your couch will stay like new for years. And if it is time for a new one after all: browse our sofa collection – with easy-care covers for every kind of everyday life.