7 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Sofa & Upholstered Furniture
Furnishing your living spaces is a big investment in your home. It’s where families go to relax, spend time together, read books, and watch their favorite shows. Here are some of my tips and tricks to extend the life of your upholstered furniture so your sofas, loveseats, chairs, and more will last longer (and for many more memories to come).
1. Vacuum the things you can’t see on your couch.
Get rid of crumbs from that popcorn movie night you had, but also vacuum away the things you can’t see, like dust, dirt, and dead skin cells. Over time, these embed themselves into your fabric, causing spotting and discoloration. Vacuum about every week to keep your fabric fresh.
Hip Tip: Use the brush on the end of your vacuum attachment to help loosen stuck-on dirt and grime.
2. Use this $20 gadget to get rid of pilling.
Have some annoying pilling on your couch that you need to get rid of? Collin and her sister, Bryn, can’t get enough of this fabric shaver! They shared all their tips and tricks in another post to give your couch a refresh!
3. Use a fabric protector to block spills.
I love using Scotchgard Fabric Protector to protect my upholstered furniture from spills and messes. I recommend applying the spray outside. It dries odorless and will block spills from your fabric for about a year (when it’s time for another coat).
Hip Tip: If you’re in the market for a new couch, ask the company if they will protect the fabric at their factory, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of spraying it once it’s delivered.
4. Fluff and flip your cushions.
We all have that favorite spot to sit on our couch, so make sure to flip over your cushions and rotate them so they wear evenly. By doing this, you’ll avoid lumps and distorted cushions.
Hip Tip: When looking for a couch, I always make sure I’m able to remove the cushions and also slip off the fabric. This makes changing cushions around (and straightening fabric) much easier.
5. Avoid direct sunlight on your fabric.
Over time, the UV rays from the sun will damage fabric. If it’s possible, place your furniture away from any direct sunlight, or use curtains and blinds to protect your furniture from harsh sunlight.
6. Sprinkle baking soda on your couch.
Baking soda isn’t just for baking; it’s also great for cleaning! Sprinkle some on your couch to help get rid of any odors and loosen stains and dirt. I’d recommend doing this about every other time you vacuum or once a month to keep your couch spotless and fresh.
Hip Tip: Check out our clever tips for using vinegar and super washing soda around your home.
7. Hire a professional for a deep cleaning every year.
All upholstered furniture should get a professional deep cleaning about once per year (or as needed). If you have pets or kids, you may need to do this more frequently. I’ve had great experience in the past with Stanley Steemer and would recommend them to anyone for professional cleaning.
Want to deep clean your upholstery yourself? Check out these 2 highly-rated spot cleaners:
Great budget-friendly upholstery cleaner.
Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner | $102
“I love this little cleaning machine! With a toddler, dog, and two cats I wanted something that could help clean up their messes. I’ve used it to clean our couch and a couple of areas in our car so far and it did great for both! Even after doing just a small section of our couch, the water was so dirty! It has great suction and is easy to use. I haven’t had any issues with leaking and I’m confident this machine will last me a while!”
– James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great cleaner for homes with pets and kids.
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner | $179.99
“I cleaned a huge 7 piece sofa with just the soap provided. Amazing results! Our sofa was stained with urine, vomit, and anything else a 2-year-old or pet could put on it. It looks like a brand new couch and smells great. This machine is also super easy to use and clean!”
– Paige ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here are my 11 tips and tricks to keep your house spotless even with kids!
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