How to Vacuum a Couch

A furniture vacuum is a must-have in any household. Upholstered furniture collects dirt, grime and other debris from daily life that can cause odors and make your family sick. Regularly vacuuming your couch will prevent this debris from building up and will help extend the life of your furniture. Using the right attachments can also make this task much easier. Vacuuming a couch is an easy addition to your weekly cleaning routine. Using the right attachments and working in a consistent pattern will offer the best results.

Before vacuuming your couch, remove any removable cushions and shake them out. This will allow you to gather up coins, bobby pins and other detritus that can often get caught in the upholstery fibers. It will also allow the dust to fall to the floor and be collected rather than being re-blown back into the sofa by your vacuum cleaner. Next, use your furniture vacuum with the crevice and upholstery attachments to thoroughly clean the entire couch and cushions. Remember to change the suction level to a lower setting when cleaning delicate fabrics. If your couch has a pillow-top design, flip it over and clean the backside of the cushion. Once your couch is completely clean, you can put the pillows and cushions back in place.

If your furniture is covered in pet hair, a lint roller can be helpful for picking up stray strands and cutting down on the amount of time you need to spend removing it from your furniture with the vacuum cleaner. It’s also worth investing in a vacuum designed to tackle pet hair, like our top pick for the best pet hair vacuum, the Black + Decker Pet Hair Eraser. It has strong suction and a special brush that reaches deep into the fibers to break up and pull out hair. It’s also relatively lightweight and comes with several helpful attachments, including a crevice tool and an upholstery tool.

After a spill, you should blot the affected area with a clean towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible before attempting to treat it. If there is any remaining splatter or stain, you can use a fabric cleaner spray to tackle the problem. Before using a product, check the upholstery care label for specific instructions and test the spray in an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t discolor your fabric.

If your couch has a removable slipcover, you can easily wash it in your washing machine. If it doesn’t, it may be best to take it to a professional dry cleaner. If your furniture is covered in a water-resistant fabric, you can spot clean it with a wet-dry vac. This will help remove excess moisture after the wash, preventing mold and mildew from growing in damp areas. This method works well for most fabrics but it’s essential to read the labels carefully and test any cleaning products in an inconspicuous area first. Keeping up with your upholstered furniture maintenance will keep it looking great and smelling fresh.