How To Clean Your Sectional Sofa

Whoever came up with the sectional sofa probably had a large family, because this L-shaped couch not only optimizes space but is a place where amazing conversations can occur, as noted by Home Stratosphere. The reason? Sectionals are creatively designed in different orientations to adapt to the needs of the room. One day it can be separated and used as a chair, and another day it can just be a couch to lay down on. And the selection only gets better and better every year! Now, we are talking about built-in foldable beds, heat warmers, armless chairs, and chaise lounges. Crate & Barrel even says there are storage functions available as well.

Well, with the increasing complexity of sectional designs comes the increasing work it takes to clean and maintain them. But that's okay because we are here to guide you through it. According to Clean Care, sectional sofas are meant to be deep cleaned once every six months depending on how much they are being used. If it's that time of the year for you, then this guide on how to clean your sectional sofa will make the task a breeze.

A sectional has several tight spaces in between its parts where crumbs, dust, and stray objects sneak into. Getting these unwanted things out, as well as cleaning the stains and dirty cushions should be the first step (via Furnishing Tips). First, use a hard bristle brush to loosen stains and bring dust to the surface. After that, detach all parts of the sectional (if you can) and vacuum up those loose particles. Then finish off with a thorough cleaning of the wooden or metal frame and the sectional sofa's individual parts (via Living Spaces).

Now with that done, let's clean up those stains. Before choosing your cleaning solvents, always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations and cleaning codes for directions. Even HGTV agrees with us on that –– after all, the creators know their creations the most. In case you are not familiar with the cleaning codes, WS means to use a mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry cleaning agent. S means to use a dry cleaning detergent only. X means to use a vacuum only and no water. And lastly, W means you can use water to clean it.

When applying your detergent don't rub it in; rather, blot it with a dry towel. FYI, rubbing it in will push the dirt further into the sofa's foam.

Finding your long-lost items between cushions might have been a surprise, but you're going to be even more shocked at the items hidden under your sofa –– FYI, it's never really a pleasant experience. Hukli suggests you wear a mask and protective gloves if you are sensitive to dust and dirt. And wear shoes too, just in case an insect comes running at you.

If you've reached this step, that means that your sectional is clear from falling objects, cushions, and anything that may hinder a successful and safe move of your couch. Additionally, moving a sectional isn't as easy as buying milk, which is why The Swanson Crew suggests making this task easier by moving the sectional sofa part by part.

Furnishing Tips recommends several ways to move your sectional sofa, but we highly recommend using furniture gliders to relocate it to another part of the room. If you are not equipped with these, you can consider tipping your sofa over until its backrest leans against a wall. The bright side of this method is that it will allow you to clean the remaining dust from the bottom of your sofa, but seek assistance when doing so. When your sofa is secured, it's time to clean the floor beneath the sectional.

With the cost of flooring spiking, cleaning your floors without specific instructions isn't advisable or economical (via Forbes). There are various types of floors that all require their own specific routine of care. For instance, you can go ahead and soak marble floors in soapy water, but try that with wooden flooring, and your wood will crumble in a month.

You should not clean wooden and vinyl floors with cleaning solvents, except with the ones specifically made for that –– opt for dry-cleaning always. Hard surfaces like concrete can have the normal dusting and mopping cleaning routine, although there is an exception for marble flooring. Marble floors can discolor when the solvents used are too acidic or too basic. So use a pH-neutral cleaning solvent and hot water when mopping, suggests Carpet Rentals.

For carpeted floors, use a vacuum to thoroughly clean the area under the sectional sofa. It may take a while because of the amount of dirt accumulated, but it will be worth it, per Furnishing Tips. You can also use a carpet shampooer and go in with a carpet conditioner, for faster results.

Allow the area under your sectional sofa to dry before placing your furniture on top of it. Dampness is your furniture's worst enemy, especially leather furniture. Additionally, according to Vevano, upholstery has a habit of holding on to odors. If your sectional sofa is still wet from scrubbing off stains, use a dry microfiber towel to soak up moisture in your couch, and ensure proper ventilation so it doesn't start to stink (via Living Spaces).

Placing your sectional on wet hard floors can also cause marks. You can invest in furniture sliders to move your furniture with no damage involved. For carpeted floors, the part of the carpet under the legs or furniture castors will likely have indentions. Before placing your sectional sofa back, fluff up those areas to get rid of them. Doing this will extend the overall life of your carpet, per Furnishing Tips.