Toons Top Tips For Fabric Sofas

Toons Top Tips For Fabric Sofas

Posted on - 3rd September 2021

Many of us much prefer a fabric sofa over a leather one. And those of us who have had fabric sofas for many years know all too well that certain things can leave unsightly marks that can be difficult to get out.
So what are the top tips from our experts to remove stains and get out that ground in dirt?

Is It A Stain Or Dirty Mark?

Ground in dirt usually appears over time, particularly on lighter coloured sofas. Not for anything being spilt on them, just use overtime.
Stains are typically from when something has been spilt onto the sofa, but can also come from the use of pens and paints etc.
Sadly, unless you coat your sofa in plastic, there is no way of preventing these unsightly marks. But there is plenty you can do to remove them and restore the colour back to your fabric.

Read The Manufacturers Instructions

As with most products you buy, the advice with sofas is to always keep hold of your manufacturers instructions of guidance. While it may not seem like you will need them for a sofa, when it comes to cleaning and maintenance they usually boast some key information and tips.
Typically your instructions will provide you information on the best practices for cleaning your fabric, including any products to avoid. With each manufacturer having its own range of advice it is always best to follow the guidance from the right manufacturer. If you have lost your original instructions you can usually find them on the manufacturer's website.

Tips And Hints

Along with following manufacturers instructions, there are a few tips, tricks and hints that you might be interested in knowing before you start your clean.

1. Use appropriate cloths. For example, if you are cleaning a light coloured sofa, avoid coloured cloths. You might find that, even if the cloth has been washed, the colour may still run, leaving more of a stain than you originally had.
2. Avoid heavy water use. While you may think that water can dilute a stain, you might find yourself with a secondary water stain instead.
3. Vacuum first. If you start to use wet products on your sofa without hoovering, you may actually add a new segment of ground-in dirt from what otherwise would have been loose dirt.
4. Removing smell. With the introduction of Febreze for fabrics, you may not find this too much of an issue. However, Febreze tends to mask the smell for short periods of time. Try to use dry scent removers, such as the well-known shake and vac for carpets.
5. Spot Check. If you are using chemical cleaners, try to do a test match somewhere that can be hidden (such as under a cushion or on the back if it is against a wall). Allow time for this to completely dry before continuing on the rest of the sofa.

Regular Cleaning

Keeping on top of regular cleaning of your fabric sofa can help to prevent stains and ground-in dirt from becoming impossible to remove. Set yourself a schedule that suits your lifestyle. Such as if the sofa is seldom used it would need less cleaning than one used every day. However, bear in mind that even unused sofas collect dirt over time.

If you have any questions regarding your sofa from Toons Furnishers, please get in touch with a member of our team today who will be happy to assist you. You can also call into our Derbyshire showroom.