Cheap couches for sale cleaning guide
Buying cheap couches for sale is a great way to save on cash, but it’s easy to forget that all couches need attention and some TLC every now and again. Knowing how to properly clean and take care of your couch is an excellent way to keep your piece in good condition. In just a few minutes of reading, learn the ropes of cleaning your cheap couches for sale.
What to know before you clean your cheap couches for sale
Cheap couches for sale come in all shapes and sizes, and various materials. This means that there is no universal way in which to clean them. However, a couch will usually come equipped with some sort of label either attached to the piece or upon purchase. Don’t throw these away! They could save you money in the long run if you clean your couch incorrectly because you didn’t know better.
These labels often come with cleaning codes, various letters that represent different instructions. The following is a guide in understanding these codes:
W – This instructs you to use a water-based detergent when you clean your cheap couches for sale. A quick internet search for an online store should yield some good results and affordable rates.
S – This means that in the case of a stain or dirty spot, you can spot clean with a water-free detergent. Unfortunately, this also means that should you need a deep clean, you will have to make arrangements with a cleaning service.
WS – Your couch can be cleaned and dry cleaned with a water-based cleaning solution.
O – This means that your couch is made of an organic fabric. In this case, it is best to use cold water.
X – Be aware that you can only vacuum this fabric. In the case of a stain, you may have to contact a professional service to get rid of it.
How to clean your cheap couches for sale
Like most things in life, couches become worn and dirty. The fact that they are used almost every day means that they are likely to become filthy, even if you can’t see it, after a long period of time. Luckily, there are a few steps to assist you in your plight to clean your couch without having to spend on a cleaning service:
1. Act fast in the case of a spillage. Oh no! You’ve spilled a fancy red on your beloved couch. Seconds after that spill or stain occurs, you need to be on your feet gathering supplies to clean it immediately. If you wait too long before beginning to treat the stain, it can cause it to set and therefore becoming harder to get out.
2. Know your couch. Hopefully, you have already made yourself familiar with your couch’s manufacturing or cleaning guides. You will need to have this information before you begin your cleaning process. Failing to clean in the correct way with the suitable detergents can result in permanently damaging your cheap couches for sale.
3. Remove surface dirt with a dry brush. Before you wet your couch and begin applying detergents or soap, make sure to give it a good brush. You’d be surprised at the amount of dust, dirt and crumbs that have collected in the material. A firm brush can get rid of loose dirt so that you don’t rub it in further when you begin your clean.
4. Suck it up. Before you get elbow deep in cleaning your couch, use a vacuum to get rid of the more stubborn pieces of dirt and crumbs stuck in the layers of your couch. The satisfying sound of hearing dirt being sucked up into the vacuum will make you want to clean your couch more often!
5. Baking soda isn’t only for baking. Baking soda is actually a great cleaning agent for some couches. Simply sprinkle some over the surface of the couch and stand by as it gets rid of nasty smells and further loosens tough stains. Vacuum it up after around 15 to 20 minutes.
As is the case with all cleaning agents and fabrics, do a quick spot check before applying to the entire couch.
6. Dry your couch with a soft towel. After you’ve cleaned your couch as per its manufacturing instructions with the recommended detergents, use a soft towel to pat down very wet areas and soak up extra water. Pat down any wet areas with a dry towel to soak up the residual moisture. Gently brush off any remaining cleaning solution.
Your couch’s cleaning guide should inform you as to how to go about properly drying the rest of the couch.
Why clean your cheap couches for sale if they aren’t visibly dirty?
Some cheap couches for sale, especially if they are dark in colour, are highly skilled at trapping particles that float around in the air of your home. Not to mention, great at capturing the dirt you bring home on your clothing and collapse onto the couch after a long day at work. Understandably, prolonged use and this process can lead to your couch becoming very dirty – even if you can’t really see it.
As dust and dirt builds up, the couch becomes a meeting place for contaminants, which are flung into the air as soon as it is sat on. This is clearly not ideal. Giving your couch a good clean regularly can stop this process in its tracks and ensure good quality of air in your home.
Another way in which couches become dirty is through exposure to body oil. When skin touches furniture, it leaves behind oil, which is not visible to the eye at first but over a period of time builds up (especially if you have a favourite spot).
Usually, these oil spots occur in the headrest area as well as armrests of your couches. Keep these areas in mind when you decide to clean your couch.
If you have pets who share your couch, you are in a whole other ball-park. Fur, soil, saliva and even faecal matter are a few examples of what your dogs may deposit on your couch (although this doesn’t change how much we love them!) If this is the case, you need to be on the ball with regularly cleaning your couch, so as to avoid long-term dirt build-up and resulting hygiene issues.
Looking after your leather couches
Leather couches are one of the most underrated pieces of furniture. They never go out of style, they go with almost every decoration and they provide unrivaled levels of comfort. However, they also need a fair amount of TLC, as they are quite susceptible to wear and tear as time progresses.
If you succeed in taking proper care of your leather couch, the material will age like fine wine. The following are some tips and bits of advice to help you keep your couch looking its best:
Getting rid of stains
1. Gather your resources : leather couches are sensitive, since they are essentially skin, to harsh detergents and cleaning chemicals. Therefore, there are only a few things you can responsibly use to clean them.
• A tub of water
• Horse saddle soap or leather specific cleaner
• Two soft cloths
• Leather cream
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs or pads
2. Start simple : is there anything simpler than cleaning with soap and water? This surprisingly powerful combination does wonderful on leather couches, tackling mild stains and dirt effectively.
Keep in mind however, the soap you use on your couch needs to be specifically for leather. It is an easy find, fortunately, with a visit to an equestrian store if you cannot find it anywhere else, which is unlikely.
Dip your clean and soft cloth in luke-warm soapy water and wipe away the mild stains. For tougher and darker stains, you may need to make use of rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton pad or swab. Be advised though that alcohol is a strong solution, so keep it contained in the specific stained area so as to avoid it spreading across the couch and potentially damaging it.
3. Dry the couch properly: if you forget to thoroughly dry your leather couch with a different, dry cloth after washing the stains, it can develop mould. After drying the washed areas, leave the couch overnight, without sitting on it or touching it.
4. Moisturize: once you’ve waited for several hours, make use of your leather cream to restore moisture to the material. You apply the cream with a clean cloth. Allow the cream to sink in, and if you’d like, buff (rub) the couch gently with a cloth to make it shine.
Caring for your leather couch
Now that you know how to properly get rid of stains on your leather couch, there is more to know about providing it with the care it needs in order to maintain its great condition upon purchase. The following bits of advice can assist you in the process:
Protect your couch from the elements
Just like our own skin, leather is sensitive to extremes. For this reason, try to design your living spaces with the aim of protecting your leather couch. For example, placing it under an air conditioner or in front of a heater or fireplace can quickly damage and dry out the material.
In the same sense, keep the couch out of direct sunlight, which will only fasten deterioration and cost you having to buy another leather couch in the future.
Pets on leather, a no no
It is so hard to say no to your pets, especially when they look at you in that certain, miserable way that usually bends your will. Unfortunately though, you may have to put your foot down, to avoid them doing the same to your leather couch. There are few faster ways to damage and tear your couch than the claws of cats and dogs.
Some cats even go so far as to use leather couches as a scratching post, much to the horror of their owners. If you know that you can keep your pets off of your leather couch, by all means go ahead with your purchase when you’re shopping for cheap couches for sale.
If not, then save yourself the likely disappointment of waking up to a torn, sad, leather couch – and a guilty looking pet.
Regular moisturizing
Leather creams or serums are a wonderful way to keep your couch looking brand new and full of life. Like our skin, leather can become dry for various reasons, and again like our skin, can be assisted with a good rub of cream.
If you have an atypically coloured leather couch, consult the internet or a professional to ensure you purchase the correct type of cream so as not to darken or lighten the pigment noticeably.
