Homemade Upholstery Cleaner: 5 Recipes to Clean Your Sofa

Upholstered furniture collects dust, body oils, spills, and odors much faster than most homeowners realize. Over time, even a well-maintained sofa can begin to look dull, feel sticky, or develop stains that regular vacuuming cannot remove. Professional upholstery cleaning is highly effective, but many homeowners first look for safe and affordable ways to clean their sofa using simple ingredients they already have at home. In this guide, we explain how homemade upholstery cleaner solutions work, when they are effective, and when they may not be enough to fully restore your furniture.

Your sofa is your space of comfort, your Netflix friend, and even your snack buddy. Spills, crumb and pet hair happens and suddenly, the place you liked so much appears to be somewhat soiled. But don’t panic! You do not need to waste money on expensive products and on rough chemicals.

You do not have to take a costly trip to the store to get your couch clean and tidy. With some simple and readily available ingredients in your kitchen, a safe effective upholstery cleaner can be prepared and that will be enough to bring your sofa back to life. They are secure, economical and effective regardless of whether you have kids or pets or just a preference to have a clean living room.

Wanna make your hands a little bit bubbly? Let’s dive in!

Why Make Your Own Upholstery Cleaner?

Commercial cleaners are normally very strong and can cause irritation on the skin, allergic reactions, or damage to delicate clothes. Making your own upholstery cleaner means that you will have the choice of what is in it. Plus, it’s fun and easy!

Benefits include:

  • Safe for kids and pets
  • Eco-friendly
  • Cost-effective
  • Fresh scents

You can also deal with all the coffee stains or pet messes without having to spend that much with ordinary household items.

These ingredients are inexpensive, safe, and they can be more environmentally friendly than chemical cleaners. Moreover, making your own cleaner means you have complete knowledge of what is being applied to your sofa.

Easy DIY Upholstery Cleaners You Can Make at Home

You do not need to make your sofa cleaning complex. A safe and effective household cleaner of upholstering furniture can be made with a handful of household items, which address all the stains, spills, and odors. Now, let’s dive into five simple recipes you can make today!

1. Classic Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaner

Get rid of greasy marks and stinky odors! This foaming mixture elevates dirt and it removes the smell, giving your sofa a clean and joyful feeling.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon mild dish soap

Instructions:

  1. Combine vinegar, water and dish detergent in a spraying bottle.
  2. Evenly sprinkle baking soda over the stained part.
  3. Spray the liquid mixture on the baking soda lightly.
  4. Allow it to fizz for 5 -10 minutes, then blot it using a clean cloth.
  5. Allow to air dry.

Tip: It is always better to first test it on a small hidden area to ensure that your fabric will not react.

Read more: How to Clean a House with White Vinegar

2. Dish Soap and Warm Water Solution

It is a very simple trick, which does not require a lot of chemicals, just take a mixture of soap and water and your sofa will appear much better in a minute.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons mild dish soap

Instructions:

  1. Add the soap and water in a bowl.
  2. Wet a microfiber cloth using the solution and squeeze it.
  3. Clean your sofa gently in small blocks.
  4. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe off residues of soap.
  5. Let it air dry.

The approach is optimal in everyday maintenance and elimination of light spills. It is not harsh to cloth but works well to remove the surface dirt.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide Stain Remover

Hard stains do not have a chance! Coffee, wine, or ink? This peroxide-based cleaner helps in removing set-in marks, and it is safe when handled carefully.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Dab onto the stain using a cloth or sponge.
  3. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Rinse with a wet cloth and dry gently.
  5. Air dry.

Note: Hydrogen peroxide may cause some fabrics to bleach. Always do a patch test first.

Read more: How to remove cigarette smell from room instantly

4. Olive Oil and Lemon Fresh Cleaner

Prefer something that is natural and smells natural? This eco-friendly cleaner is also a small spa for your couch.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

  1. Pour all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray on your sofa lightly and dry with the clean cloth.
  3. Gently buff to bring back the shine and softness.

This cleaner is suitable for leather or faux-leather sofas and leaves a slight citrus scent.

5. Cornstarch Upholstery Powder

Quick, no-water solution! 

Cornstarch will save you time when it comes to dry cleaning without water.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • Optional: essential oil, a few drops. 

Instructions:

  1. Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over your sofa.
  2. Allow to rest 20-30 minutes to take up oils and odors.
  3. Vacuum with upholstery attachment.

This is a perfect method to do a quick refresh and help in getting rid of the grease or oil spots without water.

Read more: How to Clean Carpet: An Expert Step-by-Step Guide

When to Call Professionals

Some stains need additional attention, especially when homemade solutions are not giving a good output. If your sofa has:

  • Set-in stains
  • Mould or mildew
  • Delicate or antique fabric

It is preferable to contact the professional upholstery cleaners. In Calgary, services from Lumina Life provide professional cleaning that not only keeps your furniture safe but also gets rid of the difficult stains.

Final Thoughts

There is no need to struggle to clean your sofa. These 5 home-made upholstery cleaner recipes will allow you to defeat the stains, smell, and even dirt, without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals and without having to purchase the expensive products. They are safe for kids, pets, and daily living.

Remember: a few DIY tricks, general cleaning and spot treatments will make your sofa look and smell great. In case of those hard-to-clean stains or fine fabrics, there is no need to worry as professional cleaners such as Lumina Life in Calgary will help you.

So grab your spray bottles, baking soda, and microfiber cloths; it’s time to give your sofa the love it deserves!

Homemade Upholstery Cleaner: 5 Recipes to Clean Your Sofa

Upholstered furniture collects dust, body oils, spills, and odors much faster than most homeowners realize. Over time, even a well-maintained sofa can begin to look dull, feel sticky, or develop stains that regular vacuuming cannot remove. Professional upholstery cleaning is highly effective, but many homeowners first look for safe and affordable ways to clean their sofa using simple ingredients they already have at home. In this guide, we explain how homemade upholstery cleaner solutions work, when they are effective, and when they may not be enough to fully restore your furniture.

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