6 Essential Care Tips To Keep Your Sofa Looking Great

A new sofa is a major home investment and you will undoubtedly expect this key furnishing item to give you many years of enjoyment. The typical lifespan of a new sofa is around 7-15 years but this does depend on how well you look after it. Are you in the habit of eating while watching TV or putting muddy shoes on furniture? Do you have a pet or children? A regular cleaning and maintenance routine for your sofa is highly recommended

Here are our key recommendations on how to look after your sofa

1 – Weekly vacuuming

Use the small head, brush and crevice tool attachments of your vacuum cleaner and make short work of any debris on the sofa once a week. Check for coins or other small items that may gave slipped down the side of the seat. Avoid vacuuming with the main head since dirt and debris can rub up against the seat fabric, which will gradually wear away the weave and pile more quickly than you want.

2 – Fluffy cushions

It’s a good idea to get into a regular habit of plumping up your seat and back cushions, pulling them back into shape when you’re finished with the sofa at the end of the evening (or the morning after). That way, your sofa cushions will continue to keep their shape and look smarter for the longest possible time.

3 – Fabric protection

Preserve the longevity of your upholstery with throws and blankets. Consider using arm covers (you can get them custom made) to protect heavy duty areas from spillages and perspiration that can cause long-term staining. Be particularly careful with light coloured suites – the dye from non-colourfast clothing can transfer to the upholstery and permanently discolour it.

4 – Sun fade

When you decide where to place your sofa in the room, please bear in mind that not all sofa fabrics are sun-proof! Direct sunlight can cause fabrics to fade permanently – you have been warned. For leather sofas, it’s best to keep them away from radiators an other heat sources as these can cause the leather to crack.

5 – Pet hair care

If you have a cat or a dog, it is even more important to place throws on your sofa for added protection. Make sure blankets can be machine washed easily and regularly. Have a lint roller on standby to catch pet hairs on upholstery – it’s good to make this a routine habit too. You can also wear rubber gloves, running your hands over the sofa fabric before washing pet hair off in hot water.

6 – Stain removal

Spills and stains can happen; the most popular culprits are tea and coffee, wine, juice and chocolate. Act fast for the best chance of avoiding permanent staining. Blot up as much as you can with white kitchen paper, then gently clean the area with warm water, working from the outside in. It’s a good idea to check for colourfastness first! Wash or dry clean loose covers according to the care label.