In many ways, your couch is the heart of your home. Think about it this way: It’s the place you and your loved ones gather to complete jigsaw puzzles, catch up after a long day’s work, and binge Netflix show after Netflix show. Because of this, your couch is also the catch-all spot for chip crumbs, popcorn kernels, and occasional wine spills.
While vacuuming or wiping down your sofa may tackle day-to-day dirt and pet hair, you should bust out your fabric steamers and cleaners if you really want to get rid of set-in stains, spills, and oils from grimy hands and feet. Every six months or so, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean a couch — no matter what kind of fabric it may be — by Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, to make your living room ready for another jam-packed weekend of movie-watching.
How to Clean and Sanitize a Couch
Whether you’re trying to tackle a specific stain on a cushion or want to give your entire couch a biannual refresh, give this easy how-to a try:
- Use a handheld garment steamer or bursts from your steam iron to kill