Guests are coming over, and you just noticed your couch could do with some cleaning, and you need to know how to steam clean couch quickly.
With the right skills and a little elbow grease, you can steam clean your couch to make it look new again.
From tackling those tough stains to removing odors, steam cleaning provides a deep clean that can bring new life to your furniture. Plus, it’s much more affordable than purchasing a professional steam cleaner—you only need simple tools and supplies.
In this article, I will share my tried-and-tested method for steam cleaning a couch like a pro in 7 easy steps. And my techniques do not require prior experience! So let’s get started.
What You Need to Steam Clean a Couch
Steam cleaning is an effective way to deep-clean your couch, removing dirt and grime.
But to get all this dirt build-up out, you don’t need to use too much detergent, as this will leave some residue on your couch, remember, less is more, even in cleaning.
To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
A steamer: A steamer is essential to help lift dirt out of the fabric without scrubbing or using too much detergent.
Cleaning detergent: For light fabrics, use a water-based upholstery cleaner. For heavier fabrics, use a solvent-based upholstery cleaner. But a little extra research on the best detergent to use would go a long way.
Warm water: Fill your steamer with warm (not hot) water before you turn it on. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you prefer the pre-mixed solutions.
Old towels: You’ll need these at hand for when the steam hits the fabric – they will absorb any excess moisture and prevent it from spreading further into the sofa.
Vacuum cleaner: Have your vacuum cleaner on hand in case some of the dirt doesn’t come off with steam–you can then vacuum away any remaining debris.
So now that we have everything we need for our deep clean let’s start!
Step-by-Step Guide On How To Steam Clean Couch
Steam cleaning a couch may seem daunting, but it’s an easy process that doesn’t take long. With just the right tools and some know-how, you can have your couch looking like new in no time.
Here’s how to do it:
Start by vacuuming the entire surface of the couch to remove any debris, dust, and lint. Make sure to go over each area several times and use a crevice attachment to get between the cushions.
Prepare the steam cleaner by filling it with water and plugging it in. Test for heat on a piece of fabric to ensure the setting is correct before treating your couch.
Start steaming! When steam, you want to do this step slowly to clean every section of your couch; this includes the inside seams and crevices.
However, it would be best to be careful not to spend too much time in one spot as this could cause damage or color discoloration on your couch.
After covering the entire surface area, use a dry towel or microfiber cloth to blot up any remaining moisture from the upholstery.
Then, give the fabric a deep cleanse with detergent if desired.
Let your couch air dry for about 30 minutes before moving on to step 6, which is optional: Apply an upholstery protector or Scotch Guarding product for extra protection against stains and future dirt accumulation.
When everything is dry, vacuum again if necessary before bringing back any furniture accessories, such as throw pillows or blankets, removed from the couch before cleaning.
Your steam-cleaned couch is now ready – sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Does Steaming Furniture Kill Germs?
Yes, it does, and it is the most effective way to kill germs and bacteria! So, if you have young ones, people who have allegers, or older adults, consider this cleaning step.
Steam heated to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit gets deep into fabrics, ensuring you’re killing all the germs. Steam cleaning is a non-toxic method as it doesn’t rely on detergents or chemicals to do the job.
Here are some other benefits of steam cleaning:
Removes dust mites
Dust mites can cause allergic reactions in some people, so getting rid of them is essential. Heat is an effective way to kill dust mites and their eggs before they become a problem.
Reduces odors
Don’t worry about smelly couches anymore! The high steam cleaning temperatures kill odor-causing bacteria, leaving your furniture smelling clean and fresh.
Ease of use
Steam cleaners make it easier to clean furniture as they’re designed specifically for this purpose; you don’t need brushes or other additional accessories like you would with a vacuum cleaner or carpet cleaner.
How Long Should I Wait Before Using the Sofa After Steam Cleaning?
Now that you know how to steam clean a couch like a pro, you might be wondering how long you should wait before using the sofa after steam cleaning.
The good news is that you can usually put the sofa back into use immediately after the steam cleaning.
However, it’s important to note that there are certain precautions to take into account:
The fabric may take up to 48 hours for it to dry completely, so make sure not to put wet items, such as cushions, onto the freshly steamed furniture until it is completely dry
Consider vacuuming and dusting your furniture regularly. This helps keep dirt and dust from accumulating on your furnishings and keeps your couch looking fresh!
If using any deodorizers or stain removers on your furniture, allow more time to dry completely before using the sofa again.
If a damp cloth is used in cleaning, wring out excess water as much as possible before wiping down surfaces.
So, although you can use the sofa right away after steam cleaning, you should still pay attention to all of these instructions to ensure that your couch stays great and remains bacteria-free!
How to Maintain Your Sofa After Steam Cleaning
With the hard work you have put in to clean your couch, I think it’s a good idea to find out how to keep it clean for longer.
Vacuum Regularly
This is the easiest way to get rid of dirt and debris before it accumulates once again and becomes harder to remove. Make it a routine to vacuum the couch at least once a week.
Rotate Your Cushions
Cushion rotation ensures that one spot on the sofa doesn’t get more wear than other areas. Moving your cushions from place to place helps keep them from wearing down in specific spots—which ultimately helps preserve their shape.
Spot Clean Spills Immediately
The sooner you can spot-clean liquid spills, the less likely they’ll cause damage.
For this purpose, a light detergent like laundry soap should do the trick; always check labels on the fabric first and make sure spot cleaning won’t damage the material before getting started.
This is also a simple trick on how to get the coffee smell off your carpet.
Protect From Sunlight
If you have a fabric couch, too much sunlight exposure can cause fading over time—unless it’s been pre-treated with a special protective coating against UV rays.
To ensure fabric sofas don’t fade or discolor in sunlight, drapes or blinds are easy to keep sunlight away without compromising style.
Benefits of Professional Steam Cleaning vs. DIY
The sixth step in steam cleaning your couch like a pro is to choose between using professional services or trying it yourself.
While DIY steam cleaning methods can be effective, there are several benefits to using professional services.
Professional Cleaners
Professional cleaners use special equipment designed to deep clean and sanitize without damage, getting rid of dirt and odors embedded deep into your couch’s fabric.
This ensures that the job is done right, and you won’t have to worry about any additional damage due to improper use of household appliances.
Power and Time
Additionally, professional cleaners have more powerful machines than those available for DIY use, allowing them to get a far better clean in less time.
They also know the best techniques for dealing with tough stains, ensuring that all spots are removed from the couch with minimal effort on your part.
Finally, professional services may come with a guarantee or warranty on their work.
This eliminates doubts about how well they will do the job while also providing peace of mind knowing that their work will be of high quality and last a long time.
Conclusion
In the end, steam cleaning your couch can be a great alternative to throwing it out and buying a new one.
When you have the right equipment, a little know-how, and some elbow grease, you can have a brand-new-looking couch in no time.
Steam cleaning makes your couch look better and lasts longer, as dirt and dust particles can destroy fabric fibers over time.
Plus, it eliminates any allergens, germs, and other contaminants that can be a health hazard.
Always read the fabric label and the instructions included with your steam cleaner before use to ensure you are Steaming your couch correctly.
With these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to steam-cleaning your couch like a pro!