When you steam clean your couch, it’s a great way to revitalize your upholstery without harsh chemicals. Moreover, you skip the hassle of removing the covers and struggling to get them back on again.
You have several options when you want to clean your couch, depending on the fabric, size, frequency of use, and whether you have pets. Still, a steam cleaner is usually your best bet.
Below, we look at how to steam clean a couch to give it a deep clean.
Tools and Supplies Needed for Steam Cleaning Your Couch
Before you start steam cleaning your couch, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and supplies. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- A steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment.
- A vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment.
- A bucket of warm water mixed with an upholstery cleaner.
- A soft-bristled brush for scrubbing stubborn stains or grime.
- A clean, dry towel for drying the couch after cleaning.
Before You Steam Clean a Couch
Before you go about steam cleaning your couch, make sure the upholstery can handle the moisture and temperatures. While most couches can handle steam, expensive, vintage, or bespoke furniture may require a more delicate touch.
The label on the couch should tell you how to care for the upholstery.
- W: clean with water
- X: No cleaning, use a brush or vacuum
- S: Use a solvent without water or steam
If you don’t see these indicators, check the materials. Cotton and polyester are safe to steam clean, while suede, silk, leather, and certain blended fabrics are not. Before you steam the entire couch, try a small section in an area people won’t see.
That will help you avoid large patches of adverse effects.
How to Steam Clean Your Couch
Step 1: Vacuum Away Debris
When you vacuum upholstery, it gives your furniture a good surface clean. That should always be your first step before you utilize any other cleaning method. Additionally, be sure that you use the correct attachment for your vacuum.
After you clear hair, dust, and grime with the vacuum, use a beater brush to pull away more dirt. You can also use a pet hair remover to make the process a bit more efficient. This extra step allows the steam to penetrate deeper into the upholstery and improve the effectiveness of the process.
Step 2: Use a Cleaner Specific to Upholstery
When you want to steam clean your couch, you have different options for equipment. There are several different models, each with a variety of attachments. Still, your best bet is to use a cleaner that is meant specifically for upholstery.
When you take the time to choose the right steam cleaner, you ensure that you treat the upholstery with the right temperature of steam for an effective, deep clean. Alternatively, if you use a steam mop, it’s important to choose the right attachments. An upholstery brush on the lowest steam setting helps to prevent damage to your furniture.
Step 3: Treat Stains Before Steaming
As with any other fabric, you get the best results when you treat stains before you clean the upholstery. However, the fabric of your couch is not the same as your clothes, so certain stain cleaning methods don’t work.
Steam cleaners only use water, so a pretreatment helps you avoid using it on the same spot over and over again.
Step 4: Work In a Pattern to Cover Everything
This is one of the most effective cleaning tips you’ll receive. Always work in a pattern to ensure you cover every inch. When you do, it saves you time.
- Start by working in smaller sections, going from top to bottom.
- Use overlapping strokes to ensure you don’t miss any spots.
- Don’t work over one spot several times because it causes water logging.
Step 5: Let It Air Dry
After you steam clean your couch, letting it dry is the most time-consuming step. Ideally, the couch is in a well-ventilated area on a warm day. Drying the couch out prevents mold growth.
If you have a carpet cleaner, there should be a water suction function that pulls excess water from the fabric. Careful use of this will help the couch dry faster. However, it’s important to test this on a small area first to ensure the attachment doesn’t damage the fabric.
What Are the Benefits of Steam Cleaning Your Couch?
When you steam clean a couch, it helps you avoid harsh chemicals. A simple steam cleaner provides an easy way to remove stains, dirt, and funky odors. Moreover, the high temperature of the steam helps to kill bacteria and germs.
Another benefit to avoiding chemicals is that you prevent discoloration. It also helps to remove allergens, making your living space cleaner for those with allergies and respiratory issues.
Steam cleaning also helps to freshen up the appearance of your upholstery.
Call In the Experts
If you want to steam clean your couch without the hassle of renting a cleaner, call on a professional team of upholstery cleaners. When you hire a professional, you never have to worry about whether or not the process will damage your furniture. Once they know what the material is, they know whether or not steam is the best process.
You can book an appointment with a local steam cleaner or call 512-820-5622 for a quote on service in the Austin area.
