Cleaning a sofa

misskool

The sofa needs a clean, the cushion covers come off so can go in the washing machine. The body doesn't and has some grubby marks.

Never had to clean sofas before so will need help. A friend suggested steam cleaning and I don't really have anything except a wallpaper steamer (which I can retro fit a home made nozzle too) but will that be enough to get stains off?

Please help

QuirkyChemistry

Sounds like it's worth a go. Can't see it doing any harm. I would be tempted to try one of those cleaners that you are meant to use on well trodden and dirty carpet. Do you know what I mean? Type of thing you spray and leave on and then vacuum off. I'm sure Vanish make some.

blueberrypie

Might not be the OS way, but I paid someone to come in and clean my sofas for me about four months ago.

He cleaned all (backs, fronts, arms, sides, cushions, the bit the cushions sit on, etc) of a large two-seater and a large three-seater, both of them with loose cushions on the backs (i.e. more surface to clean) *and* the large floor-rug in the living-room for £75.

He used a steam-cleaner with an attachment which sucks the moisture out again, so it was all bone-dry within a few hours.

To be honest, it was well worth the cost - it would have taken me far longer and I wouldn't have been able to do nearly as good a job of it, even if I'd spent money on cleaning stuff and/or equipment.