If you’re in the process of setting up or upgrading your living room or office space, you may be planning to purchase a sofa set. If so, instead of looking for one in a mall or a furniture store, you could consider browsing online marketplaces where many sellers are likely offering pre-owned furniture. Buying a second hand sofa or sofa set provides you with numerous advantages; aside from helping you save money, for example, it is a great way to find unique pieces when you want to create a well-appointed living room or workspace that truly reflects your personality. Best of all, purchasing used items helps the environment significantly by reducing your waste and carbon footprints.
However, in order to derive the most benefit from your secondhand purchase, you must clean and sanitize your sofa set before using it. It is worth pointing out that refreshing a used couch requires going beyond merely wiping and spraying bacterial spray all over this piece of furniture. To properly cleanse and disinfect a pre-owned sofa, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove Dust and Dirt
The first step in cleaning your secondhand sofa set is to get rid of dust, hair, food particles, and other debris from the upholstery by using a vacuum cleaner. Grab your vacuum and use the upholstery tool attachment to clean the cushions. To reach tough spots and clean every cranny possible, use the crevice tool as well.
If you notice areas with heavy dust or spots caked with dirt, try using a stiff bristle brush to loosen the grime before vacuuming. Make sure to vacuum-clean the sofa at least a couple of times. You may also want to drench every nook and cranny of your pre-owned couch in an appropriate bug spray, especially if you notice bug droppings or other signs of pest infestation. Let the chemical sit for 24 hours in a well-ventilated area outside your living space, then vacuum the furniture again afterward.
Step 2: Clean the Sofa Covers and Remove Stains
After vacuuming, the next step is to clean the sofa piece by piece. If the sofa cushions have removable fabric covers, unzip and launder them in a washing machine on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent to protect the color and integrity of the material. Skip the dryer. Instead, air-dry the covers to prevent shrinkage or damage caused by excessive heat.
Aside from washing the covers, you should also inspect the secondhand sofa for dirt or stains to clean them properly. While you can purchase and use a commercial cleaner for this purpose, you can also make your own. Here are ways to tackle sofa stains according to the type of upholstery material:
Step 3: Clean All Non-Upholstery Sections
Most couches have metal, wood, or plastic details. Remember to clean these parts as well using a cloth dampened with a solution of warm water and liquid dishwashing soap. Wipe dry with a clean and absorbent rug after cleaning to prevent spotting. For wood details, such as legs or armrests, you can finish with wood polish or conditioner to restore shine and make the surface liquid-resistant.
Step 4: Eliminate Unwanted Odors
After tackling dirt and stains, the next step is to make the pre-owned sofa fresh-smelling again. Eliminating unpleasant couch odors is pretty straightforward. Just sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on all sections of the sofa, then use a bristle brush to spread the powder on all upholstered surfaces. Allow the baking soda to sit for a few hours or overnight to absorb unwanted odors. Vacuum the powder out afterward.
Remember to test a tiny section of the upholstery first before sprinkling the product liberally on the couch to ensure that it will not lighten the fabric. Besides baking soda, you can also spritz pure vodka or a solution of water and vinegar onto your sofa to remove any unpleasant smell lingering on the furniture.
Step 5: Sanitize Your Sofa Set
Once the sofa is clean, dry, and odor-free, the last thing you need to do is to sanitize your couch to kill any remaining disease and odor-causing bacteria and germs. You can use a commercially available sanitizing spray or make your own disinfectant solution from household items, e.g. rubbing alcohol or oxygen-based bleach. Either way, be sure that the ingredients suit the upholstery material of your sofa to prevent ruining its quality.
Follow the steps above to clean and sanitize your pre-owned sofa set and make it look fresh and good as new. While the task may take a bit of time and effort, the results are usually worth it. Not only will you have a clean and fresh-smelling sofa set bought at a fraction of the original price, but you’ll also have a cozy piece of furniture to complete the look of any room.
