How to clean a couch: tips to make your life easier

The sofa is always everyone’s favourite place. And when we say everyone, we mean everyone: grown-ups, children, grandparents — and pets, of course! It’s a place to nap, jump, play and snack. That’s why your couch tends to get dirty quickly. Not to mention the dreaded stains! But there are some very simple ways to make your sofa look as good as new. That’s why, here at IKEA, we want to show you how to clean a fabric or leather couch without too much hassle.

Two toddler twin boys sit on a light gray couch with a large beige and white dog.

How to clean a sofa quickly

There’s a huge range of sofas out there but remember that some have removable covers that can be conveniently washed in the washing machine. That’s the easiest, fastest and most painless way to clean a sofa. Here are some of our sofas that feature removable, washable covers.

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A beige BACKSALEN couch in a bright living room with multiple cushions in pastel colours.

A man lays on a white couch, petting a brown dog who is laying down beside the couch.

A beige couch in a cozy living room with long light green curtains.

A white couch with multiple decorative cushions: a black and white striped cushion, a burgandy velvet cushion and floral cushion.

A woman sits on a dark grey couch, holding her mobile phone.

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Sofa covers - easy as 1, 2, clean!

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How to clean a fabric sofa in 3 steps

The whole family loves to chill out on your fabric sofa — and we bet your dog does too. Hair, drool and mud, right? You may not be aware of it, but this dirt is constantly building up on your sofa or armchair. Roll up your sleeves and clean your fabric sofa:

Dust off the vacuum cleaner and vacuum your sofa, making sure that you cover every last inch.
Use a textile cleaner that removes all kinds of stains from sofa upholstery and cushions: wine, chocolate and tomato sauce are no match for these products. Remember: before you use it, test the fabric cleaner on a small area to see if it works and to check that it doesn’t change the colour of your fabric sofa.
Rub with a brush and leave it to dry.

That’s it, there’s nothing else you need to know about how to clean a fabric sofa. It’s as easy as that. If you want to give your sofa a makeover as well as cleaning it, choose one of our fabric sofa covers. You won’t recognize your old sofa — and neither will the dog!

A small child in a denim dress with red leggings is laying down on a dark grey couch.

Expert tip!

If you have a sofa with a removable cover, consider purchasing an extra cover. Having more than one cover on hand means that you can swap them from time to time, not just when the seasons change but also while you’re cleaning them. This will make both covers last longer and keep your sofa looking as good as new for years to come.

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How to clean a leather sofa in 3 steps

A hand is seen applying leather conditioner to a black leather couch.

If you have a leather sofa, you should know that the upholstery will need a little tender loving care. Thankfully, cleaning a leather sofa is pretty easy.

To clean your leather sofa and leave it looking as good as new, follow these simple steps:

Remove dust from your leather sofa with a cloth.
Apply a leathercare set, which also contains a leather cream. It’s the most effective product — we swear!
Remove any remaining soap with a damp cloth, then apply the cream to moisturize the leather. This will prevent it from drying out and keep it looking new for longer.