Unlike carpet, a sofa is in contact with skin for hours every day. Body oil and sweat build up on the arms, headrests and seat fronts, and that's what creates the dark, shiny patches most people want rid of. Add crumbs, drinks, pets and children, and even a fairly new sofa can look tired quickly.
What can be cleaned
- Fabric sofas, corner units and sofa beds
- Armchairs, recliners and footstools
- Dining chairs and upholstered benches
- Fabric headboards and divan bases
- Leather sofas and chairs (cleaning and conditioning)
- Office chairs and commercial seating (see commercial cleaning)
Fabric type matters more than anything
Many sofas carry a cleaning code on the label under the cushions. The common ones are W (water-based cleaning is fine), S (solvent only), W/S (either) and X (vacuum only, no wet cleaning). Not every manufacturer uses these codes, so a good cleaner will also test an inconspicuous area before cleaning the whole piece.
Some fabrics need extra care:
- Velvet and chenille can crush or show water marks, so they're cleaned with controlled moisture and brushed carefully afterwards.
- Linen and cotton can shrink or show "cellulosic browning" if over-wetted.
- Viscose blends are weak when wet and mark easily.
- Microfibre is usually hard-wearing but can water-mark if spot-cleaned at home with tap water.
How sofa cleaning is done
The process is similar to carpet cleaning but gentler. The sofa is vacuumed, including down the sides and under the cushions. Heavily soiled areas such as arms and headrests are pre-treated, then the fabric is cleaned with a small upholstery tool using hot water extraction or a low-moisture method, depending on the fabric. Cushions are cleaned on every side that can be reached so they don't end up patchy.
Leather sofa cleaning
Leather collects the same body oils as fabric, which can eventually dry it out and cause cracking on the seats and arms. A leather clean uses a foaming cleaner and soft brush to lift dirt from the grain, followed by a conditioner or protection cream. It won't fix scuffs, cracks or worn-through colour, which are a job for a leather repair specialist.
Stains on sofas
Most food and drink stains respond well to professional cleaning, especially if they haven't been scrubbed at with household products. Biro, make-up and red wine are harder but often improve significantly. Pet urine in the cushion foam is the toughest. If you've had a spill, blot it and leave it rather than rubbing; our stain removal guide has advice that applies to upholstery too.