Deep cleaning a sofa (smell, cleaner, stains, carpeting)

[brokensky]

Would you hire someone to do this or would you do it yourself?

If you do it yourself, what products do you use?

This is on a commercial fabric sofa, attached back pillows, 3 loose seat cushions. This is a medium dark fabric and b/c it doesn't really "show" dirt, the owners never cleaned it. However, it has a "dirty" odor if you get close to the fabric and smell it, lol.

So I am assuming it needs a "deep cleaning" - if there is such a thing for a sofa.

Advice? Suggestions? Methods? Thank you!

[harry chickpea]

Seat cushions may have zippers hidden in the welting. If so, woolite and replacing them on the foam while still damp can do those. The "steam" type home rug cleaners sometimes have fabric cleaning attachments. They work, but you'll want to do a number of passes and finish with a plain water solution.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Seat cushions may have zippers hidden in the welting. If so, woolite and replacing them on the foam while still damp can do those. The "steam" type home rug cleaners sometimes have fabric cleaning attachments. They work, but you'll want to do a number of passes and finish with a plain water solution.

TY, Harry! Nice suggestion about the seat cushions. I like that.

I have a little machine that will do upholstery as well as carpeting, so that will be what I use - sounds like it is as good an idea as any. I have a fabric attachment for that particular machine.

I was wondering about the solution to use in the machine. Do you use a particular solution (purchase one?) or mix up something yourself? I agree - makes sense to finish off with a plain water solution.

Really appreciate the suggestions, Harry.

[ShaneSA]

I second the washing machine with Woolite. Use Woolite in the little machine for the rest of the sofa. It's easier. faster, cheaper. Win/Win/Win.

[harry chickpea]

Woolite might foam up too much on the rest of the sofa, but you could try it. A very small amount of HE Tide or other High efficiency laundry detergent with enzymes is what I would use. In general... I use something like I just mentioned, or a solution of TSP in hot water, or just plain hot water to do all "steam" cleaning. The HE Tide got stains out of a carpet that the regular carpet cleaning chemicals wouldn't touch. Remember that less is more - use an absolute minimum amount of chemical. If it doesn't do well, buy some distilled water and mix it with that instead of tap water. Some hard waters can cut the effectiveness of cleaners.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by ShaneSA

I second the washing machine with Woolite. Use Woolite in the little machine for the rest of the sofa. It's easier. faster, cheaper. Win/Win/Win.

Gosh, a great suggestion re: woolite for entire job! TY so much Shane.

Happy New Year!

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Woolite might foam up too much on the rest of the sofa, but you could try it. A very small amount of HE Tide or other High efficiency laundry detergent with enzymes is what I would use. In general... I use something like I just mentioned, or a solution of TSP in hot water, or just plain hot water to do all "steam" cleaning. The HE Tide got stains out of a carpet that the regular carpet cleaning chemicals wouldn't touch. Remember that less is more - use an absolute minimum amount of chemical. If it doesn't do well, buy some distilled water and mix it with that instead of tap water. Some hard waters can cut the effectiveness of cleaners.

Excellent info, including using distilled water. Love that suggestion about using something w/ HE enzymes,too.

Not dreading this job so much now. In the past, I have had to re-do the cleaning several times b/c I felt I had not really gotten the items clean. I felt I wasn't making the right selections w/ products when I evaluated it. This time, with this big of a challenge, I want to feel my efforts are not wasted. We all know, every fabric is different, and it could take doing the process several times to get it sparkling clean, but at least I have a better chance of getting it right by using the best techniques and products.

Thank you so much!

[brokensky]

For cushions fillers, I have read that airing them and then sticking them in the dryer is a good way to sanitize. Anyone have thoughts on this? Spray w/ Lysol or Febreeze b/f putting in dryer? Thoughts?