July 28, 2026
Miles, Meows and Moving Trucks: How to Move Long Distance With a Cat
A long-distance move is stressful enough for the humans involved, and it’s often even harder on the cat riding along. You can’t sit down with yo...
Cleaning your sofa and other upholstered furniture doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools, a little know-how and a quick look at your furniture’s care tag, you can tackle everything from everyday dust and pet hair to spills, stains and lingering odors.
First, it’s time to figure out which cleaning products you can safely use on your particular kind of upholstery. A great way to do that is by checking the cleaning code on the care tag of your furniture. This code tells you which cleaning methods are appropriate for the material.
If there is no code, check the manufacturer’s care instructions before applying a cleaner. Whatever method you use, test it first in an inconspicuous area, such as beneath a seat cushion, and allow the area to dry completely so you can see how the upholstery reacts.
Note: Fabric type doesn’t always determine the cleaning code. Two sofas that both look like velvet, for example, can have different cleaning requirements depending on the fibers, dyes, backing and finish used to manufacture them. Always follow the tag on your particular piece.
A few basic tools can handle many everyday cleaning jobs:
Depending on your furniture’s cleaning code, you may also need mild dishwashing liquid, an upholstery-safe water-based cleaner or an appropriate water-free solvent.
Before you use any of the hacks below, vacuum to suck up loose hair, pet fur, dust, crumbs and dirt. Remove loose cushions when possible and get into seams, crevices and the areas underneath the cushions where other debris might collect.
Once the loose debris is gone, you’re ready to choose a cleaning method based on the code on your furniture.
Different upholstery codes call for different cleaning methods. And remember: more cleaner isn’t necessarily better. Upholstery can take a while to dry, so try not to oversaturate the fabric. Too much water can cause mold and mildew to grow—and very few hacks will get that out.
For W or W/S upholstery, you can start with this simple soap-and-water method:
Your sofa will be as good as new!
Vinegar is another popular DIY cleaning ingredient for some “W” and “W/S” fabrics, such as cotton, linen, blended fibers and vinyl, too. If your furniture’s care instructions allow it, you can make a simple vinegar-based upholstery cleaner using:
Combine everything in a spray bottle and use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the furniture.
Note: If you’re wondering how to clean a faux leather couch, you may be able to use a diluted vinegar solution here, too. Check the manufacturer’s instructions first and test your solution in a hidden spot before wiping down the rest of the couch.
Rubbing alcohol is a water-free solvent you probably already have in your bathroom cabinet. It can work for some S-coded upholstery, including certain types of microfiber, but check your furniture’s care instructions first and test it in an inconspicuous area before getting started.
If rubbing alcohol is approved for your furniture, follow these steps:
Tip: Since S-coded upholstery requires a water-free cleaning method, you’ll want to put away the soap and water. Instead, use solvent-based cleaners in a well-ventilated space away from heat or open flames.
With X-coded upholstery, less is more. Don’t use water, steam, dry-cleaning solvent or other liquid cleaners. Instead, use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove dust, crumbs, hair and other loose debris.
A gentle brushing can also help loosen surface dirt. If the furniture needs stain removal or deeper cleaning, it’s best to contact a professional.
Steam can be useful for some upholstery, but it isn’t a universal cleaning solution. Heat and moisture can damage certain fabrics, finishes, dyes and backing materials, so check the care instructions for your furniture and your steam cleaner before starting.
In particular, skip steam on S- and X-coded upholstery unless the furniture manufacturer specifically says otherwise.
Steam cleaning is helpful when you need to lift dirt and stains from upholstery coded W or W/S (and is especially effective on some velvet upholstery). If your furniture’s manufacturer specifically permits steam, a handheld clothes steamer or iron set to “steam” will work just fine.
No upholstery steamer? You may not need one. Plenty of upholstery doesn’t need steam at all. Depending on the cleaning code, vacuuming, spot cleaning or another approved cleaning method may be the safer option. Check your cleaning code above for the best tips on cleaning your sofa sans steamer.
Even a well-maintained sofa eventually encounters a spilled drink, greasy snack, pet hair or mysterious sticky spot. Here are some additional hacks for everyday messes.
A hero’s job is never done. For basic stains on most W or W/S fabrics, mix up your own stain remover by combining 2 cups of warm water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Dip a microfiber cloth into fresh water and wring until damp, then dip the damp cloth into the suds (not the sudsy water). Gently blot the stained area, moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain transfers. Continue until the stain lifts, then let the spot air dry.
If your furniture’s care instructions allow water-based spot cleaning, try these DIY methods for some of the most common stains.
Tip: Just blot! Never rub a stain—it will only push the stain deeper into the fibers and make it all the more difficult to remove.
Different stains may require different treatments, so always make sure a stain-removal method is compatible with your furniture’s care instructions before trying it.
Yuck. No one wants gum in their hair, gum on their shoe…or gum stuck to their furniture. Fill a sealable plastic bag with ice cubes or an ice pack and place it on the gum until it hardens. Once it’s firm, carefully scrape away as much as possible with a dull knife or spoon. If it begins to soften again, refreeze it and continue. After the gum has been removed, treat any remaining spot according to your upholstery’s cleaning code.
No matter how much you love your pets, you probably don’t love wearing their fur every time you sit down. So, when furniture brushes, lint rollers and vacuums fail, break out the rubber gloves!
Running your gloved hands over the fabric creates static that pulls the hair away from it, making it easier to pick up or vacuum away.
Sprinkle the offending stain with cornstarch or salt, then gently rub it into the fabric with a toothbrush. Let it sit for at least one hour to absorb the oil, then vacuum up the cornstarch. Repeat if necessary before spot-cleaning the remaining stain with a method approved for your upholstery code.
If your couch smells a little less than fresh, look no further than your kitchen pantry. Baking soda can be used on almost any type of fabric upholstery to absorb most oils and odors.
Just sprinkle the surface with baking soda to a depth of about one-quarter inch, let it sit for at least eight hours, then vacuum it.
When steaming, soaping and scrubbing won’t do the trick, turn to CORT Furniture Outlet. Find new and gently used furniture and decor at up to 70% off original retail prices. Our selection is thoroughly and professionally cleaned, maintained, and inspected so you can feel confident you’re receiving quality furnishings.
Need your items ASAP? Shop our collection of new and gently used furniture, decor and rugs online or in-store today and enjoy same-day pickup! Start shopping today!
