Furniture Care 101: How to Care for and Clean a Sofa

Finding the ideal sofa is an art. It takes time to pick the perfect lounge for your space, style and needs — and when you do find a sofa you love, you want to keep it in tip-top condition.

When properly cared for, a quality couch or sofa bed can last for years and years. All it takes is a little TLC, and your lounge will be there through thick and thin, accompanying you through all-important life moments and supporting you at the end of a long day. 

Whether it’s the Hampton Sofa or the Haven Corner Sofa, all Lounge Lovers sofas are designed to stand the test of time. These tips will help ensure that your sofa looks great and feels supportive, both now and in the future.

Choosing the right sofa for your home

Caring for your couch starts by picking the right sofa for your lifestyle. Different fabrics come with their pros and cons, and knowing which one to select can make a world of difference over time.

If you have little ones in tow, you ideally want to pick a family sofa that has removable covers and is made of durable materials such as polyster. These couches are designed to withstand the messes and spills that come with life and require far less maintenance than a velvet or leather sofa.

Prefer something a little more luxurious? Leather sofas are timeless, chic, and oh-so-comfortable to sprawl out on after work. Leather also develops a unique patina over time, which means each piece takes on its own life. Just keep in mind that these sofas do need more love and attention if they’re going to go the distance — but it’s absolutely worth it.

How to clean a sofa

No matter how hard you try to keep your sofa pristine, life happens. From drink spills to pen marks, these little mishaps can be stressful even for the most composed among us. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to tackle messes and keep your furniture looking fresh.

Pro tip: Want to minimise the hassle? Opt for a sofa with removable covers, such as the Hamptons Chaise Lounge or Long Beach Corner Sofa. All you need to do is slip off the covers, pop them in the wash and you’re good to go! Removable covers also come with the added benefit of being replaceable, so you can refresh your style or replace any pieces that have stubborn stains.

Image courtesy of: @tegan_jean

Protect your sofa with the Guardsman range

Prevention is always better than cure, which is why we recommend protecting your sofa with the Guardsman furniture protection range. As a leading expert in furniture care, Guardsman has helped countless Aussies care for and repair their furniture for over a century. The Guardsman range has been specially formulated to keep your leather and fabric sofas in ship-shape for up to five years.

How to clean a fabric sofa

For a linen or fabric sofa, it’s best to do a weekly dusting using a low-suction vacuum with a soft brush attachment. This will help remove any loose particles on the fabric and minimise the risk of piling, which can occur over time. If you do find piling on your sofa, remove it carefully with a Fabric Pill Remover or Electric Lint Remover. 

Quality fabric couches are designed to withstand general wear and tear. But if you do find yourself with a spill on your hands, simply put an ultra-absorbent cloth on the spill. Wait for all the liquid to be absorbed, then allow your fabric to dry naturally. Don’t ever vigorously dab or rub your fabric furniture to get a spill or stain out! This could allow the stain to penetrate the fabric even more deeply and make it trickier to remove.

Get ahead of any stains: We recommend protecting your fabric with the Guardsman Fabric Protection Kit. Suitable for all types of fabrics, including linen, polyester and velvet, this protects your upholstery against spills, stains, rips, burns, tears and cuts. Plus, it comes with a 5-year warranty on any accidental spills and damage.

How to clean a leather couch

A gentle weekly dust or clean will keep debris from scratching the surface of your leather sofa, while dedicated leather wipes or cleaners can be used for any tougher cleaning challenges. However, you don’t want to clean your sofa too often or too vigorously as this can damage the material.

If you do happen to spill liquids on your leather, carefully blot the surface with a paper towel to lift the stain. Have a bigger mess on your hands? Stop and seek the help of a professional cleaning service. They’ll be able to clean and condition your leather sofa in the most effective way to preserve and protect the material.

Lovely leather: We recommend keeping your leather sofa safe with the Guardsman Leather Care Kit. This self-applicating kit nourishes and protect your leather upholstery against spills, stains, rips, burns, tears and cuts, whether you have an aniline or semi-aniline top-grain leather sofa. If there are any accidental spills or stains, you also get a 5-year warranty where a Guardsman technician will repair your furniture at no extra cost.

Tips for maintaining your sofa

Regardless of what material your couch is made from, regular maintenance will go a long way in preserving your sofa’s good looks in the future. 

Plump and shape your couch weekly so it looks like you just brought it from the store, and alternate where you sit to even out the wear across the entire couch. Don’t forget about the back cushions either: rotate these regularly to keep them feeling plush and cloud-like.

And no matter whether you’ve selected a leather, fabric or velvet couch, keep your sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent the colours from fading over time. Sitting on the couch with swimmers is also a big no go, as chlorine can leave unwanted marks or cause bleaching.

As with anything goes, prevention is better than cure. If you’ve just bought a brand new sofa, investing in a furniture protection warranty will help ensure that your purchase is well guarded against accidental stains or damage.

On guard: As a leading expert in furniture care, Guardsman has helped countless Aussies care for and repair their furniture for over a century. The Guardsman furniture protection range has been specially formulated to keep your leather and fabric sofas in ship-shape for up to five years.