Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out. Consider whether your choice will fit into your current decor.

Unless you have a fully slip-covered sofa, the fabric on the frame is not likely removable. This is when an upholstery cleaning machine comes in handy.

Armchairs by Fabric

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What You’ll Need to Clean a Fabric Sofa or Chair:

Although the method by which the frame parts are held together may not be immediately evident, the salesperson or the printed technical specifications should have this information. Look for frames joined with wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, or metal screws and brackets. Never buy a sofa that is only assembled with staples, nails, or glue, although these materials may be used as supplements to provide additional reinforcement. An easy test for solid frame construction is to lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor to a height of 6 inches or so. If the other front leg doesn’t quickly rise off the floor too, it’s a sign the frame is twisting and weak.

How to Steam Clean Your Sofa

However, these sofas can look less crisp than their single-cushion counterparts. For an extra layer of customization, some companies allow you to supply your own fabric. Although there might be an upcharge for this, it’s a simple way to get a more personalized look with any standard sofa. If you’re placing your sofa in a sun-exposed space, look for fade-resistant/UV options. And if you place your sofa outdoors, look for additional mildew- and moisture-resistant features. Shivani is an interior design expert for Better Homes & Gardens who covers interior design, decorating, and home improvement. She has 5+ years of industry experience and currently works as a residential interior designer in Macon, GA.

Pets tend to shed a lot of hair, which can accumulate on your upholstery and cause allergies. Besides, pets may cause stains, which can be difficult to remove if left unattended for an extended period. There are a number of things to take into account when purchasing a new couch or sofa. Decide on the size that best fits your demands and the available space first.

After going through the process personally, I am excited to share our new sofa (I am OBSESSED!) along with some tips to help guide you as you shop for a sofa. Hopefully, these tips teach you how to choose the right sofa for your room. Learn all there is you need to know about buying a fabric sofa in our complete guide.

The spray it emits is super fine, and this makes it easy to get good coverage without soaking the fabric. I then got trigger happy and sprayed dye all over the back of the sofa and used a brush to even it all out. If you’re on a super tight budget but also short on time, then invest in a continuous sprayer.

But if you’re just a little klutzy and prone to spills, consider a chemical fabric protectant that repels liquids long enough for you to wipe them up before anything sets in. Once completed, there will be cushions resting on top of the sofa’s deck. However, I still wanted the deck to be soft and have some padding. So, I used 1 inch cushion foam and cut it wide and long enough so that it could be tucked through to the back and outer sides of the sofa frame.

Once you have an idea of your perfect sofa, you can build out your living space to complement it. Footstools double up as extra seating, side and coffee tables start to build more layers of texture into the space, and lighting and wall art add the finishing yet all important touches. If you need to seat 6 people for instance, a sectional sofa is modern, fits into
corners, and is great for getting cosy together. Whereas two
3 seater sofas create a
pleasing symmetry, and when placed facing each other across a
coffee table encourages a more sociable scene for conversation.

Cleaning our Ikea Couch:

Read more about flexform here.

How to Properly Clean a Fabric Couch

While most homeowners can wrap their heads around a decent quality sofa, they tend to balk at spending on drapes or area rugs (or lamps). This is where they will just get what’s easily available and inexpensive.

Make sure to leave two or more feet of open space around the sectional (unless it is placed against the wall) to maintain comfortable walkways. Proportion counts when selecting a sectional—which will require some forethought to plan out and measure the space it is going into.

How is A Quality Sofa Built?

More people can squeeze in comfortably without cracks between cushions to worry about, making it easy to create a makeshift daybed perfect for napping. If you’re looking for a more laidback, lived-in look, search for sofas with loose back cushions and seat cushions. Although these iterations tend to be more comfortable, they run the risk of looking sloppy over time. A quick fix is to buy a sofa with a good warranty or high-quality cushions. Yes, believe it or not, your couch does need to be replaced after a certain amount of time, wear, and use. Or, for those shopping for a new couch, how long it will last in the first place.