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How to Clean an Upholstered Couch

An upholstered couch in your living room or family room is likely to get a great deal of use. Over time, you will need to clean your upholstered couch. But you should not use just any cleaning strategy. Taking the time to clean dirt, dust and general mustiness from your upholstered couch will help it stay fresh and last longer.

Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Vacuum upholstery attachment
  • Small bucket
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon mild detergent
  • Cloths
  • Wet/dry vac -- optional
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take all of the cushions off your upholstered couch. Set them aside.

    • 2

      Use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to clean the couch, including the area underneath the cushions. Then vacuum the cushions.

    • 3

      Inspect the couch upholstery carefully, including the pillows, to locate any dirty areas or stains.

    • 4

      Create a cleaning solution to remove common stains. Mix together one cup of warm water and a teaspoon of mild detergent in a small bucket.

    • 5

      Use a clean cloth to blot the stain or dingy area with the cleaning solution. To ensure that the solution won't damage your couch, clean a less visible spot first.Continue blotting until the area is clean. Do not rub, because this can make the stain worse.

    • 6

      Blot-rinse the upholstered couch with clean water. Use a dry cloth to blot dry. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to extract any remaining moisture.

    • 7

      Replace the couch cushions and any pillows or small blankets. Rotate the positions of these items to reduce wear and tear and promote freshness.