How to Repair the Upholstery on a Sofa

Cleaning

• 1

  Check the sofa to ensure that it can be wet-cleaned. Test a small area for color fastness by spraying a small amount of cleaner and allowing to sit for 5 minutes. Wipe away the cleaner with an old towel. If no color is removed, then the color is fast.

• 2

  Place the cleaner in a spray bottle. Spray cleaner over a 3-foot section of sofa. Allow to sit for three minutes. Wipe the area with the towel to remove the dirt or stain. Repeat until the entire sofa is cleaned.

• 3

  Remove grease stains by placing baking soda over the area and allowing to sit over night. Vacuum the soda in the morning. The baking soda absorbs the grease.

• 4

  Remove other stains by spraying the stain with a fabric cleaner that is safe to use on sofas. Spray the area with the stain remover and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Blot the stained area until the entire stain is lifted.

Repairing Seam Tears

• 5

  Take the sofa cushions off of the sofa. Remove the cover from the torn cushion or cushions.

• 6

  Turn the torn case inside out. Locate the tear from the inside.

• 7

  Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, repair the sewn area starting about 2 inches before the start of the tear and finishing about 2 inches past the end of the tear.

• 8

  Turn the case right-side out and replace it.

Repairing Surface Tears

• 9

  Repair other sofa tears using the whip stitch. /This simple stitch is durable and should help hide the torn edges of the fabric.

• 10

  Pull the two sides of the tear together. Cut the frayed fabric so there are no loose strings. If possible, turn the edges of the tear to the inside so that the frayed edges do not show after sewing.

• 11

  Insert a threaded needle through both sides of the tear, placing the knot on the inside of the fabric where it will not be visible. Pull the thread through. Place the needle about 1/4 of an inch away from the first stitch. Pull the string tight. This will make a loop that will hold the two sides of the tear together. Continue in this manner until the seam is complete.Sew about ½ an inch on both sides of the tear for extra stability.