6 couch cleaning mistakes that pros say could lead you to 'serious upholstery heartbreak'

Your couch is probably one of the most used and loved pieces of furniture in your whole home – perfect for relaxing, watching movies and snuggling on. Because of this, your couch needs regular cleaning to keep it looking it's best.

When it comes to couch care, there are several ways to revamp and refresh yours but also some couch cleaning mistakes you really want to avoid. Our pros said these six mistakes will lead to 'serious upholstery heartbreak' and we have to say, we agree.

Our pro cleaners share their cleaning tips and insight on which couch-cleaning mistakes you might be making, and how to sidestep them in the future.

6 couch cleaning mistakes you might be making

'We see these blunders all the time, and they can lead to some serious upholstery heartbreak,' says Rocky Vuong, founder of Neatbrite.

1. Disregarding manufacturer care instructions

When it comes to cleaning your couch, the first place you should be looking for advice is the manufacturer's guide, specifically the one for your model.

Daniel Anderson, professional cleaner and CEO of GoRubbishGo says, 'Many homeowners have a poor habit of neglecting the instructions provided by the manufacturer for cleaning, which in turn causes inappropriate methods or materials to be used that can spoil the fabric.

'Never forget to look at the care label of your sofa. It gives a brief overview of what should and what should not be done when cleaning. For example, if the label is marked “W”, it means, “water-based” cleaners are allowed. If it is marked “S” then use solvent-based cleaners.'

We recommend the Resolve Liquid Multi-Fabric Cleaner and Upholstery Stain Remover available at Amazon, as it is safe to use on most household and couch fabrics, such as nylon, polyester and cotton blends.

2. Not spot-testing cleaning products

'I can't tell you how many times I've seen a beautiful couch ruined because someone didn't test their cleaner on a hidden spot first,' says Rinea Blanchard, owner of Superior Contract Cleaning.

Some products can lead to upholstery discoloration and damage, so always find a hidden part of your couch to test the cleaning product on first before getting stuck in.

For example, if you want to wash your couch cushion covers, remove them and test your cleaning product on a small spot which is hidden from view when the cushions are on the couch. On the couch itself, try it low down at the back if your usual placement is against a wall, or look underneath for a spot totally out of sight.

Blanchard recommends #1 bestselling Folex Carpet Spot Remover available at Amazon. 'This stuff is magic on fabric sofas,' she says.

3. Putting off tackling stains

We're all guilty of it, but if you spill a drink on your couch or notice a pet stain, it's important to deal with it there and then – it's one of the golden rules of stain removal.

'I've seen firsthand how a clean sofa can transform a living space, especially when staging homes for We Buy Houses in Metro Detroit,' says Harpreet Saini. 'Once, we almost lost a buyer because of a stubborn pet stain on a sofa that wasn't cleaned promptly.

'I always recommend to tackle stains immediately using products like the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser (available at Walmart) or a good microfiber cloth from Amazon,' such as the HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloths.

'Whenever there are pet stains in a fabric, they should be cleaned as soon as possible using an enzymatic cleaner,' warns Anderson.

4. Using too much water

'Another mistake people make is using too much water when cleaning,' says Anderson. 'Although it might appear reasonable to drench the fabric and get rid of the stains, doing so can create dampness in the furniture and encourage the growth of mold and mildew, especially in upholstered furniture.'

Instead, do not drench the fabric when cleaning a velvet, cotton or leather couch. Press a damp cloth onto the stained area and treat the stain like that, advises Anderson. Dabbing, rather than rubbing is preferred to avoid pushing a wet stain or cleaning solutions into the fabric, or spongey layers below.

'If you are looking for something deeper, try a suction steam cleaner, such as the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot Cleaner (available at Amazon) which uses less water and removes stains very well.'

5. Scrubbing too hard

While it might seem necessary to really scrub at your couch to clean it, this could be doing more harm than good.

'Gentle circular motions is what you should do,' advises Blanchard. 'Scrubbing like you're trying to start a fire will just push the stain deeper into the fabric.'

For cleaning leather couches, Blanchard recommends the #1 bestselling Leather Honey Leather Cleaner available at Amazon. 'It does wonders without damaging the leather,' she says. It's also non-toxic, and can be used on faux leather, car seats, purses, bags and shoes.

6. Neglecting regular maintenance

'Many home owners overlook that maintenance on a regular is the best way to enhance the lifespan of their couches,' says Anderson. 'Dirt, dust and pet hair can build up so quickly.'

Anderson advises using an upholstery attachment to vacuum the couch over once every week to get rid of dirt and deposits remaining. 'Also, you may apply a fabric protector such as Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Protector (available at Walmart) to help resist staining or spilling,' he adds.

FAQs

How often should you professionally clean your couch?

While cleaning your couch should be part of your achievable cleaning routine, it's advised to call in the professionals every 12-18 months to give it a really deep clean.

This will extend the lifespan of your couch, banish bacteria and make it look good as new. If you have pets, consider doing this every 6 months, to remove pet hair from the fabric.

Learn how to clean a couch without a vacuum and you'll never be caught short again.