Top Tips To Keep a Clean New Sofa | Domestic Cleaning Tips

Buying a sofa can often be a challenging exercise for any number of reasons, whether it is because of the cost, style or even the size. There are so many variables to consider that it can prove to be difficult to find the perfect sofa for your home.

With a new furniture item that is an investment, the underlying aim is to make the item last as long as possible and retain as much of the original look for as long as possible to make it a cost-effective purchase. As always here on Domestic Cleaning Tips, we have some handy hints and tips to help achieve this!

1) Consider the style of sofa that you

Whenever you look to buy a new sofa, it is important to consider the pros and cons of both leather and fabric sofas. Leather is a much more durable material and spillages can wipe off much easier than fabric. Whilst they are stylish, it is important to take into consideration whether they fit in with the design of the room and also the comfort. In contrast, fabric is much more absorbent and light fabric can be a pain to get stains out of. In that sense, a darker fabric may be much more beneficial but consider how this may fit in terms of how much natural light the room gets.

2) Messy Children are a factor in Wear and Tear

It is important to take into consideration every member of the family – whether on two legs or four – as to the style of sofa that you should be looking at. If you have children of a young age, it is worth taking into consideration that they do not necessarily understand the expense you have paid and can be quite messy. With any type of furniture, it is natural to expect small amounts of wear and tear over time but the trick is to make this as slow as possible. Restrict usage of the sofa for family time or just relaxing and do not encourage meals to be eaten in front of the TV. Set an example by eating meals at the dining room or kitchen table to prevent food and drink spillages.

3) Dogs and Cats can be Pet Hates

Pets, like children, can also have an effect on the wear and tear of the sofa as well as general cleanliness. Whilst some pets can be quite clean, some dogs and cats can leave fur and also a smell on the sofa that can be difficult to get rid of. This can be quite unpleasant for guests visiting. If you have to allow pets on your sofa, think about putting down some protective covers or a throw that can be whipped off for when friends or family do come over. Otherwise encourage pets to use their own basket to sleep in.

4) Ensure you get Loose Covers and Cushions

If you use the sofa quite a lot it may be worth looking for a sofa that has removable covers on the cushions. In addition to this, it may also be worth looking for a sofa that has cushions that can be turned around. Loose covers (usually through zips) on both back cushions and also the base cushions can be removed simply to be washed frequently, which enables stains to be removed quickly before they dry in and also to ensure that they remain fresh in smell and colour. Flip over cushions over so often so that all sides get equal wear and prolongs colours on both sides for a longer period of time.

5) General Tips for Leather Sofas

Leather sofas tend not to have removable covers so here are some tips to keep these clean over time.

  • Hoover between cushions regularly – Grime and dust, along with other items (pens, loose change, bits of paper) can fall between the cushions and build up. Regularly hoovering prevents this.
  • Lightly pet the leather with a lightly damp cloth with specialist cleaners to help keep protection and remove any stains.
  • Do not use excess water as it could leave water marks on the sofa

Keeping your furniture looking in tip-top condition need not be difficult and these useful hints can help contribute to ensuring that your new sofa remains looking new for a longer period of time.