Sofa Cleaning - Tips and Tricks

Whether your sofa is leather or fabric, it's no problem to clean – this article has 5 simple tips for keeping your furniture looking great and smelling fresh.

1. How to Clean a Sofa: Start by Vacuuming

Remove all the cushions and clear away anything that’s fallen in between. Pens, coins, remote controls – it’s amazing what you can discover. Now use your vacuum to clear away any dust and surface dirt from your sofa. Use the specialist vacuum attachments to get inside the crevices, and ideally use the soft brush attachment to be as gentle possible on your sofa’s upholstery.

2. Read the Care Tags for your Sofa

Most sofas come with a care tag or certificate that provides instructions on cleaning. Read these closely, as they will advise on the right kinds of products to buy and the right method to use. If your sofa has removable covers, you may even be able to zip these off and either machine-wash or dry-clean these.

3. How to Clean Sofa Fabric: Spot Cleaning Stains

If you simply want to remove a stain from your fabric sofa, you may not need to do a thorough cleaning. You can try a mild solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid to treat a small stain. Make sure to test it first on an inconspicuous part of the sofa, to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric. Apply the product gently with a clean, damp cloth – do not get the sofa too wet, and do not rub the stain as this may make it more difficult to remove. Rinse the area by using another clean, damp cloth, and then let it air dry.

A sprinkle of baking soda will keep your sofa smelling fresh — just remember to dust the powder away afterward.

4. Tips on How to Clean a Fabric Sofa

If your fabric sofa does not have removable covers, there are several methods for a deeper clean — although be sure to follow your sofa’s care instructions first. Upholstery cleaning products are available – if you use these, be sure to follow the directions on the label and test them in a small area first. In some instances, you can hire a steam-cleaner to deep-clean your sofa and its cushions; make sure to let everything dry fully before you put the cushions back on the sofa.

5. How to Clean Leather Sofas

Cleaning leather sofa covers is a very different matter from a fabric sofa, as leather can be damaged by too much water or soap. Start by gently vacuuming any dust from the leather sofa and its crevices. If there is any mould or mildew on the leather, spray a mild solution of vinegar and water onto this, and quickly wipe the mould or mildew away. But using specialist leather products is the most important step in how to clean leather sofa parts. Saddle soap or wax-based leather cleaners will not damage your sofa. Make sure to spot-test the cleaner first in an inconspicuous place, and read the directions on the label before starting. Once you’ve applied the cleaner for real, wipe away any excess. In general for cleaning leather, remember that less is more.

 These 5 simple tips will make it easy to clean your sofa, regardless of its material. With the occasional clean, this very important piece of furniture will stay fresh and welcoming for your family and guests.

Where To Place Common Living Room Accessories

Where to Place Common Living Room Accessories

A lot of items tend to go in the living room so it's important to arrange them all in a balanced and well-proportioned way. Once you've

arranged the living room furniture , you need to place the accessories in a balanced way. Here are a few tips for hanging and placing living room accessories.

Artwork

• One of the most common places to hang artwork in the living room is above the sofa. If this is the case in your space make sure to get a piece that isn't too large or too small. The piece of art should be about two-thirds the width of the sofa.

• If you want to use a few smaller pieces in a group the same rule more or less applies. Just be sure that the space between each frame is the same (around 2" to 3" is preferable).

• To prevent the art from being too low, hang the bottom of the frame about 8" to 10" from the top of the sofa back.

• Whenever you're hanging art remember that it should be at eye-level. Many people make the mistake of hanging art too high. You shouldn't have to lift your head to look at the piece.

Hanging Sconces

• The rules for hanging sconces are fairly similar to those for hanging art. The placement will always depend on the size of the wall, but you want to be careful not to hang them too high. Just above eye-level is ideal (around 66" to 72" from the floor).

• If you're hanging sconces on either side of a mirror or piece of art be sure to leave enough space for the piece in the center to breathe. The amount will depend on the size of the space, but be sure not to overcrowd and squish the art or mirror.

Window Treatments

• Curtains and drapes should always kiss the floor (or puddle on it). A very common decorating mistake is to hang curtains that are too short and don't reach the floor. It looks truncated and out-of-proportion.

• When hanging a drapery rod or track it should be installed at least 2" above the window frame and anywhere between 6" and 16" beyond each side.

Television

• When trying to decide where to put your television remember this: the bottom of the screen should be at chest level when you're seated. While hanging a television above a mantel is a bit trendy right now, it's not the best place because you can strain your neck.

• If possible in your space, multiply the diagonal width of the screen by three to determine the optimal viewing distance.