Source: Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens
We spend more time on our couches than almost any other piece of furniture, making it one of the dirtiest spots in the home. From spills and stains to the buildup of environmental and body soils like dust, pollen, dander, and hair—both pet and human—couch cushions are a magnet for messes, so learning how to clean couch cushions is a task everyone should know.
Couch cushions should be cleaned regularly using a vacuum fitted with an upholstery brush attachment. Vacuum couch cushions at least once a week, more in households with pets, children, or high dust levels. Additionally, every six months, couch cushions should be deep cleaned.
This guide offers instructions on both routine and deep cleaning, as well as the information you need to protect cushions from damage due to improper cleaning.
Understanding Couch Cushion Types
Upholstered furniture has a universal cleaning code or legend on the care tag that is attached to a hidden spot of the sofa (usually the underside of the seat). It's important to look for this code, which appears as one of four letter symbols, for instructions on how to clean couch cushions before getting started. Here's what the letters are and what they mean:
W = Wet/water cleaning only
S = Dry solvent cleaning only
SW = Dry solvent and/or wet cleaning
X = Professional cleaning or vacuuming only
Additional special care instructions are also included on the care tag. Before trying any of the cleaning techniques outlined in this article, perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure the products won't cause damage to your couch cushions.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
Tools for Routine Cleaning
Vacuum
Crevice tool attachment
Upholstery brush attachment
Tools for Deep Cleaning
Vacuum
Upholstery brush attachment
Tools for Cleaning Non-Removable Cushions
Vacuum
Upholstery brush attachment
Upholstery cleaning machine
Materials
Supplies for Routine Cleaning
Light-colored cloth
Mild detergent
Supplies for Deep Cleaning
Liquid laundry detergent
Towels
Instructions
How to Clean Couch Cushions on a Routine Basis
Regular upkeep using a vacuum cleaner is the best method for how to clean couch cushions and keeping them looking and smelling fresh. When vacuuming, take note of any stains or soiled areas and use a technique called spot-treating to remove them.
Using a vacuum fitted with an upholstery brush attachment, vacuum the cushions to remove crumbs, hair, dust, dander, and other environmental and body soils. Work in the direction of the fibers, and use a light touch to avoid abrading the fabric. If the cushions are removable, flip them over and vacuum the sides and bottoms.
Switch to the vacuum's crevice tool and vacuum along the cushions' seams, where crumbs, hair, and dust collect.
Dilute a small amount of dish soap or gentle liquid laundry detergent in water, and agitate the solution to create suds. Dip a light-colored cloth in the suds and, working in the direction of the fibers, apply the detergent to the stained or soiled area. After removing the stain, rinse the cloth with clean water and go over the area to remove any sudsy residue.
How to Deep-Clean Removable Couch Cushions
Even with regular cleaning, couch cushions will need to be deep cleaned every six months; households with pets or children may need to deep-clean couch cushions more often.
Before deep-cleaning couch cushions, take them off the couch and vacuum all sides using a vacuum fitted with an upholstery brush attachment. If the cushions have removable slipcovers, take them off and either machine-wash them separately in cold water or wash them by hand along with the cushions.
Fill the bathtub about one-third of the way up with cool water, so that there is enough room to submerge the cushions and for your hands to move through the water. Add 1–2 Tbsp. liquid detergent, using your hands to dilute and distribute it in the water.
Place the cushions in the detergent solution, using your hands to fully submerge them; add more water if necessary. Because of their size, it may be necessary to wash only 1 to 2 cushions at a time.
Making a pumping motion with your hands, agitate the cushions so that the water and detergent penetrate their fibers, releasing dirt and grime. Allow the cushions to soak in the detergent solution for 10–15 minutes, then repeat the pumping motion.
After soaking, drain the detergent solution. Using your hands, press down on the cushions to extrude sudsy water. Then, fill the tub with clean water and push out more of the suds with the same pumping motion. Repeat this process, draining and refilling the water as necessary until the suds are gone and the water runs clear.
While still in the tub, press down firmly on the cushions to extrude as much water as possible. Use the pumping motion and gently squeeze the cushions to push out excess water, but don't wring or twist them to avoid tearing or breaking up the fill. Then, remove the cushions from the tub and wrap them in clean, dry towels. Press down again so that the towel can absorb more excess water.
Allow the cushions to air dry completely before returning them to the couch. To promote even drying time, use a flat mesh drying rack or flip the cushions over at regular intervals. Setting up a dehumidifier and/or fan nearby can also help to speed up drying time.
How to Deep-Clean Non-Removable Couch Cushions
Carpet and upholstery cleaning machines force a cleaning solution deep into fibers, using suction to extract the solution, along with dirt, pollutants, and stains, from the fabric. They're the best way to clean non-removable couch cushions and are an excellent alternative to handwashing removable cushions, which is a time- and energy-consuming task.
Before deep cleaning with an upholstery cleaning machine, vacuum sofa cushions using the upholstery brush attachment to remove environmental and body soils like dust, pollen, and hair.
Consult the manufacturer's instructions for guidelines on the proper use of your upholstery cleaning machine. Fill the water tank and add the upholstery cleaning solution per the manufacturer's instructions.
Even if the care tag says it is safe to use an upholstery cleaning machine on the cushion, perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won't cause damage to the fabric.
Working in sections and moving the nozzle in straight lines, clean the entire surface of the cushions with the upholstery cleaning machine. Cushions that have not been cleaned regularly may require more than one pass; you'll know the cushions are clean when the solution extracted from them runs clear.
Let the couch cushions air dry completely before using the couch. To promote even drying time, consider setting up a fan and/or dehumidifier nearby to help speed up drying time.
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