Sofa cover cleaning and maintenance secrets

In modern home decoration, the sofa cover with its diverse styles, rich colors and convenient replaceable, has become a necessary good thing for many families to enhance the beauty and comfort of the sofa. However, the sofa cover will inevitably be stained and accumulated dust in the daily use process, if not properly cleaned and maintained, it will not only affect its beauty, but also shorten the service life. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the cleaning and maintenance of sofa covers, so that your sofa covers always maintain a new state, adding lasting charm to the home environment.

First, sofa cover material classification and characteristics

Understand the material of the sofa cover is the basis for effective cleaning and maintenance, different materials of the sofa cover has different characteristics, its cleaning and maintenance methods are also different.

(1) Cotton sofa cover

Cotton sofa cover is the most common kind of material, which has the advantages of soft and comfortable, good air permeability, strong skin affinity, etc., and is loved by the majority of consumers. Cotton fabric can make people feel warm and natural when they touch the sofa, and the price is relatively close to the people. However, cotton sofa covers also have some shortcomings, such as easy to shrink, deformation, easy to breed mold in a humid environment, and the adsorption of stains is strong, easy to be contaminated with dust, oil stains, juice and other stains.

(2) Linen sofa cover

Hemp sofa cover with its natural texture and rustic texture, bring a simple and natural atmosphere to the home environment. It has good permeability and wear resistance, high strength, not easy to break. Hemp fabric also has certain antibacterial properties, which can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria. However, the linen sofa cover feels relatively rough, not soft enough, and easy to wrinkle, and needs to be carefully ironed to restore the smooth after cleaning.

(3) Polyester fiber sofa cover

Polyester fiber sofa cover has many excellent characteristics, such as strong wrinkle resistance, not easy to deformation, can dry quickly after washing, and bright color, not easy to fade. Sofa covers of this material are relatively durable and can withstand frequent use and washing. However, the permeability of polyester fiber is poor, long-term use may make people feel stuffy, and it is easy to produce static electricity when friction, adsorbing dust.

(4) blended sofa cover

Blended sofa cover is a variety of different materials of fiber mixed textile, common cotton and linen blend, cotton polyester blend and so on. Blended materials combine the advantages of different fibers, for example, cotton and linen blend has the soft comfort and good air permeability of cotton, but also has the wear resistance and natural texture of hemp; Cotton-polyester blends enhance wrinkle resistance and durability while maintaining the skin-friendly properties of cotton. However, the cleaning and maintenance methods of blended materials need to consider the characteristics of various fibers, which is relatively complex.

(5) Velvet sofa covers

Velvet sofa covers include velvet, flannel and other types, its surface fluff is delicate and soft, excellent touch, can create a warm, luxurious home atmosphere. Velvet sofa covers have good warmth retention and are very suitable for use in cold seasons. However, the pile is easy to hide dirt and dirt, and the cleaning is difficult, improper cleaning methods may lead to the pile lodging, deformation, affecting its beauty and thermal performance.

Second, the daily cleaning method of sofa cover

(1) Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming is an important part of daily cleaning of sofa covers, which can effectively remove dust and debris on the surface, prevent dust from deep inside the fiber, and reduce the difficulty of subsequent cleaning. When using the vacuum cleaner, the appropriate suction head should be selected. For the flat part, the wide-mouth suction head can be used, while for the hard-to-reach places such as the gaps and corners of the sofa, the narrow slit suction head can be used to clean up. When vacuuming, it should be operated in accordance with the texture and structure of the sofa to ensure a comprehensive and thorough cleaning. It is recommended to vacuum at least once a week, if the home dust is large or there are pets, you can increase the number of vacuuming.

(2) Local stain treatment

1. Oil stains

If the sofa cover is stained with oil, it should be treated immediately to prevent the oil from penetrating and spreading. First, gently press the stained area with a clean paper towel or white cloth to absorb as much excess oil as possible. Then, apply an appropriate amount of dishwashing liquid or special fabric degreasing agent to the stain, and gently rub with your fingers to make the detergent fully contact with the oil stain. Be careful to move gently to avoid excessive friction resulting in the spread of stains or damage to the fabric. Rub for a while, rinse with water, or wipe repeatedly with a wet towel until the oil stains are removed. Finally, blot the water with a dry towel and let it air dry.

2. Juice stains

For fresh juice stains, you can first blot the juice with a paper towel or white cloth with strong absorbance, and then sprinkle a little salt on the stain, salt can absorb the water in the juice, making it easier to remove. Then, wet the towel with water, gently wipe the stained area, repeat several times, until the juice stains disappear. If the juice stain has dried up, you can first soak the cloth in warm water for a period of time to soften the stain, and then treat it as described above. For some dark juice, such as grape juice, blueberry juice, etc., may leave traces, at this time, you can apply a small amount of white vinegar on the stain after cleaning, and then rinse with water after a short stay, white vinegar can help remove the pigment residue.

3. Coffee and tea stains

Coffee and tea stains are treated similarly to juice stains. First blot the liquid on the surface of the stain with a paper towel, then use a damp cloth dipped in the appropriate amount of baking soda, gently wipe the stain. Baking soda has a decontamination and deodorization effect, which can effectively remove coffee and tea stains. After wiping, rinse with water, if there are still traces, you can repeat the above steps or use a special fabric cleaner for treatment. It is important to note that hot water should be avoided when dealing with coffee and tea stains, as hot water may make the stain solidify and harder to remove.

4. Blood stains

Once the blood stains on the sofa cover, it should be treated as soon as possible. Rinse the stained area with cold water first, and try to wash away some of the blood. Then, apply an appropriate amount of soap or laundry detergent to the stain and gently rub it with your hands to make the stain and detergent fully mixed. Be careful not to use hot water, as hot water can clot proteins in the blood, making stains harder to remove. After rubbing, rinse with water, if the blood is still not completely removed, you can repeat the above steps or use a special blood remover for treatment. After processing, blot the water with a dry towel, avoid direct sunlight, and let it dry naturally.

(3) Overall cleaning

1. Machine wash

If the material of the sofa cover is suitable for machine washing, such as polyester sofa cover or some cotton sofa cover, it can be placed in the washing machine for cleaning. Before machine washing, you should first check the washing instructions of the sofa cover to determine the appropriate washing mode and water temperature. In general, the choice of soft mode or wool mode is more appropriate, the water temperature should not be too high, so as not to damage the fabric. At the same time, the sofa cover should be turned over before being placed in the washing machine to reduce wear on the front pattern and color. In addition, it should also avoid washing with sharp or rough items to prevent snagging or scratching the fabric. Add an appropriate amount of laundry detergent or special fabric detergent to the washing machine and clean it according to the normal washing procedure. After washing, remove the sofa cover in time to avoid deformation or odor caused by prolonged immersion in the washing machine.

2. Hand wash

For some sofa covers that are more delicate or not suitable for machine washing, such as hemp sofa covers, velvet sofa covers or partially blended sofa covers, hand washing is a safer way to clean. When washing by hand, first prepare a basin of warm water, the water temperature is controlled at about 30 ° C, add an appropriate amount of detergent, stir well. Put the sofa cover into the water, gently rub, focus on cleaning the stained area. For the plush sofa cover, rub along the direction of the pile to avoid tangling the pile. The hand washing process should be gentle to avoid excessive pulling resulting in deformation. After cleaning, rinse the sofa cover repeatedly with water until the detergent is completely removed. Then, gently squeeze or blot the excess water with a towel, taking care not to wring it out so as not to damage the fabric.

Three, sofa cover special cleaning skills

(1) Remove odor

If the sofa cover produces odor after a long time of use, it can be removed by the following methods. Take off the cover of the sofa and air it in a well-ventilated place for a period of time to let the odor naturally dissipate. You can also add an appropriate amount of white vinegar or lemon juice when cleaning the sofa cover, which has a natural deodorization effect and can effectively remove odor. In addition, after the sofa cover is dried, some deodorant or desiccant can be placed around it, such as bamboo charcoal bag, coffee grounds bag, etc., to further absorb the residual odor.

(2) Treatment of yellowing

Over time, some white or light-colored sofa covers may appear yellow. For slightly yellowed sofa covers, you can try soaking them in rice washing water. Soak the sofa cover in rice washing water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, and then clean it according to the normal cleaning method. Rice washing water is rich in starch, which can play a certain role in decontamination and whitening. If yellowing is more severe, special fabric bleach can be used to treat it. But before using bleach, be sure to test a small area on the hidden part of the sofa cover first to see if it will cause damage to the color or fabric. Follow the bleach instructions to dilute and operate, soak the sofa cover in the bleach solution for a period of time, and then rinse thoroughly with water to avoid bleach residue.

(3) Coping with shrinkage

Cotton sofa cover is prone to shrinkage, in order to avoid or reduce shrinkage, the following points should be paid attention to when cleaning. First of all, choose the right water temperature, the water temperature should not be too high, generally controlled below 30 ° C. Secondly, avoid prolonged soaking and minimize the washing time. After washing, do not wring it out, but gently squeeze or blot the water with a towel. When drying, should avoid direct sunlight and high temperature drying, choose a well-ventilated, cool place to dry naturally. If the sofa cover has shrunk, it can be gently stretched to the original size in its wet state, and then ironed with a low temperature to set, but this method may have limited effect for severe shrinkage.

Four, sofa cover maintenance points

(1) Avoid direct sunlight

Direct sunlight for a long time will make the color of the sofa cover fade, the material aging, brittle. Therefore, when placing the sofa, it should be avoided as far as possible to place it in direct sunlight, such as next to the window. If it cannot be avoided, curtains, blinds, etc. can be used to block the sun to reduce the damage of sunlight on the sofa cover.

(2) Regular replacement and turning

In order to make the sofa cover evenly wear and extend its service life, it is recommended to regularly change the position of the sofa cover or flip it over. For example, you can change the position of the sofa cover before and after, left and right every once in a while, or turn it over to use, so that different parts can be evenly used and worn.

(3) Prevent friction and hook

Sofa cover in the process of use, should try to avoid contact with sharp, rough items, to prevent friction and hook. When placing items, such as keys, scissors, etc., be careful to avoid placing them directly on the sofa cover. At the same time, also pay attention to avoid pets scratching on the sofa, so as not to damage the sofa cover. If the sofa cover is found to have a hook phenomenon, the hook part should be carefully cut off with scissors in time to avoid further expansion of the hook.

(4) Keep dry and ventilated

The humid environment is easy to cause the sofa cover to breed mold and produce odor, so it is necessary to keep the environment around the sofa dry and ventilated. In humid seasons or areas, dehumidifiers can be used to reduce air humidity and avoid moisture on sofa covers. If the sofa cover is accidentally soaked with water, it should be treated in time, take it off to dry or clean it according to the correct cleaning method to avoid long-term moisture resulting in mold.

(5) Rational use of sofas

When using the sofa, we should also pay attention to reasonable sitting posture and use, avoid excessive squeezing, jumping and other behaviors, so as not to cause unnecessary damage to the sofa cover. At the same time, it is necessary to educate children to use the sofa correctly and avoid scribbling or playing intensely on the sofa.

The cleaning and maintenance of sofa covers require us to master the correct methods and skills, and develop good daily habits. By understanding the characteristics of different materials of sofa covers, targeted cleaning and maintenance, can effectively maintain the beauty and cleanliness of sofa covers, extend its service life, and bring lasting comfort and warmth to our home life. I hope that the sofa cover cleaning and maintenance tips introduced in this article can help you easily cope with the care of the sofa cover, so that your home decoration always radiates a charming luster.