# Sofa Problems
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Dirt, Stains and Keeping it Clean
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No matter how much you stress not eating on the sofa or not putting feet up on the cushions, some couches just seem to be dirt magnets. Years of use can also cause grime and dust to build up on the fabric of a sofa. An accidental coffee spill leaves an ugly dark spot. Your sofa should have a tag on it with either an "S" or "W" label. The "S" means you can only use a solvent cleaner on the sofa, while the "W" means you can use water. When cleaning stains off of a sofa, always blot, never rub the stains.
Tears and Rips
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Both leather and fabric sofas can rip, due to worn fibers or an accident. You can stitch up a tear in a sofa cushion using an upholstery needle, which is curved to make maneuvering the needle through the cushion less of a challenge. If you can take the cover off of the cushion, that can make repairing the tear a bit simpler, since you can use a regular sewing needle and may even be able to use a sewing machine if the tear is on a seam.
Uncomfortable Cushions
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Some sofas may look good, but just aren't comfortable. If sitting on your sofa feels about the same as sitting on a wooden chair, you can try to soften it up with a few extra throw pillows. You can also take the cushions to an upholsterer to get them restuffed, but doing so can be expensive. If it's a new sofa, give it time to break in before worrying that it is too firm.
Appearance
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Tastes change as the years go on and the sofa you thought was attractive and beautiful 10 years ago now looks hideous. You have a few options for improving the appearance of the sofa without getting a new one. Try draping a fabric you do like over the couch, tucking it in to nooks and crannies for a soft look. You can also get a new slipcover for the sofa. In some cases, improving the appearance of the furniture and accents around the sofa is all it needs to a makeover. Add new throw pillows and get matching side tables with pretty table lamps. Draw the eye away from the sofa by placing a patterned throw rug on the floor in front of it.
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