Everyone loves having beautiful couch cushions in their house, but keeping them clean may be difficult, especially if you have young children or pets. Some couch cushions have removable cushion covers that are machine washable, which makes cleaning them a breeze. But some have non-removable cushion covers, which can be a real pain. so if you are looking for ways on how to clean non-removable couch cushions, keep reading. Can they even be cleaned?
Though the options for non-removable couch cushion covers are limited compared to removable couch cushion covers, there are still a lot of methods you can try before resorting to professional help. So let’s jump right in and talk about some simple ways to clean non-removable couch cushions.
Cleaning Non-Removable Cushion Covers
Below is a list of some nifty cleaning tips that you can apply to get rid of pesky stains and dirt on the non-removable cushions of your favorite sofa.
1) Beat Your Cushion Covers
Check your couch cushions to see if they are removable. The cushions themselves might be removable even if the cushion cover is not. If you can, take them outdoors and give them a proper beating; this is an excellent technique to get rid of dust and debris. After that, you can take on whatever stains you encounter. If your couch’s cushions cannot be removed at all, skip this step.
2) Vacuum
A light vacuum will get your couch to look better right away. This will clean your couch of surface filth, dust, hair, pet hair, and other debris. To clean the surface, use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to thoroughly clean the sofa cushions’ nooks and crevices where pet hair, food particles, and other filth collect.
There may not be an upholstery brush attachment for all vacuum cleaners. If that’s the case, use caution and a low power level when vacuuming your cushions to avoid scuffing or tearing the fabric.
Now, when vacuuming, move to the bottom line after running the vacuum from above and angling it to the right and left. You can use these methods to get rid of filth, especially if you are working with silk or velvet cloth.
3) Read The Care Instructions
Always read the care label on your couch because there are so many different kinds of fabric. Usually, you can find it behind the couch itself or behind one of the cushions. You can learn how to clean the cushions from this.
Before attempting to remove any stains from your sofa, find out whether you may use water-based products on the cushions or if you must only use a dry cleaning solvent stain remover. Before using a cleaning product anywhere, I recommend doing a test first on a small, inconspicuous part of your couch or cushion. If the product works well with the fabric, you can move on to cleaning the entire couch cushion.
If you cannot find the cleaning code on the manufacturer’s tag, you might be able to find it on the product page of your cushion covers online. This might come with some cleaning recommendations.
According to Bissel, these are typical manufacturer codes:
Wet/Solvent (WS)
Use formula, gentle detergent, or a soft dry cleaning solution exclusively for spot cleaning. Avoid soaking or washing. Keep the cushion coverings on. The entire couch cushion should be dry-cleaned.
Wet Clean (W)
Do not remove and wash; only use a water-based product.
Only vacuum (X)
Don’t use solvent- or water-based cleaners. Only clean with a vacuum cleaner.
Solvent (S)
Use solvent-based cleaners instead of liquid ones or remove the cushion covers and have them dry-cleaned. No water should be used.
No Code
In cases where there are no codes provided, test the cleaning product you wish to use on a small non-visible area first before moving to the rest of the cushion.
4) Cleaning With Water-Based Cleaning Products
To clean non-removable cushion covers, you can use water-based products if your care tag displays a W or a W/S. Try a dish soap and warm water mixture on a paper towel, cloth, or sponge to remove stains and markings. Scrubbing can force the stain further into the cushion stuffing; instead, dab the stain on your non-removable cushion cover.
If the soap and water mixture fails to remove the stain, it’s time to give the couch cushion a deeper clean using some more potent cleaning supplies.
To treat stains, applying a mixture of warm water and baking soda to stains will do wonders, and it works especially well on grease. Allow the soda’s active ingredients to lift the grease, and then dab a towel over the area affected.
Additionally, many stubborn stains can be removed using a vinegar and water solution applied with a cloth without harming the cushions’ fabric. If you’re unsure whether the fabric will fade, do a spot test on a hidden section of the sofa before applying it directly to the stain.
5) Cleaning With Solvent-Based Cleaning Products
Before applying a recommended solvent-based cleaner to the couch cushion, ensure that the room is well-ventilated. After the stain has been successfully removed, it’s time to remove the cleaner.
To make this process easier, you can use a small air compressor. When the solvent-based cleaner or foam has finished cleaning your non-removable cushion covers, blast it away with the air compressor. This will ensure that the cushion cover does not get wet while the stain is removed.
If you don’t have an air compressor, you can try removing the cleaner with a vacuum cleaner that has a wet setting, or you can attempt to remove it with a dry towel or paper towel.
6) Cleaning With Steam
Steam can be used as an effective way to clean many fabrics, including your sofa. It can even be used on sofas that shouldn’t get wet. The steam itself can be used to disinfect fabric and furniture. Steam cleaners use heat to disinfect and deodorize couch cushions.
Although the steam itself can work wonders, you can add a little cleaning product designed for your steam cleaner to create a deep cleaning solution for your couch.
If you don’t have a steam cleaner in the house, you might be able to rent one at your local hardware store.
Drying Your Sofa
As the last step, it’s always a good idea to let your sofa dry in direct sunlight for a while. The UV rays from the sun will not only dry any moisture that might still be trapped in the sofa, but it can also kill mold cells and bacteria. Let them dry completely before taking them indoors.
If you don’t want to put your couch cushions in the sun, or if the sofa is too heavy and the cushions cannot be removed, you can simply use a fan to dry the cushions.
The best way to spot clean stains on a non-removable cushion cover
Spot treating is a good cleaning method for spills that happen in the living room. The cleaning technique you apply will depend on what you have spilled and the type of cloth you have spilled it on.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the sooner you address the stain, the better your chances are of effectively doing so and preserving your cushion cover.
Scrape Away Any Excess Material
First, remove as much of the spill as possible. If you’ve spilled something solid, try to scoop up as much of the remaining solids as you can with a spoon or butter knife and then resort to a dry white cloth to blot the stained area. Try to remove as much residue as possible before attempting to clean the stain.
Dab With Cold Water
After removing all the excess, you can use a damp white cloth to dab the stain. Remember to work from the outside in to ensure that you don’t spread the stain any further. Work gently because you don’t want to push the stain further into the fabric.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat
Some stains can be removed with just water, but most stains are more stubborn and require a cleaning product. The next step is to mix some commercial stain remover or detergent with water to make a solution. Just a small amount of detergent or stain remover should be added, and it should be well diluted before use.
Once more, work from the outside in to prevent the stain from spreading. Gently dab at it with the same white towel. After applying the solution, leave it on the cushion cover for 5–10 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth that has only water on it. Repeat the steps until the stain is completely removed.
Deodorize
After you’ve successfully removed the stain, there might be an unwanted odor that still persists. This can easily be removed by using steam cleaning agents or allowing your cushions to lay in the sun for a few minutes. There is also the option of using a mixture of baking soda and adding the paste to the smelly zone. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then wipe and rinse off the spot using a damp cloth.
Alternatively, you can also use a commercial fabric deodorizing spray or create your own spritz by mixing equal parts of vinegar and cool water. Be sure to test any of the deodorizing solutions on a small non-visible area first to see how the product reacts with the fabric.
How to Clean Tough Stains on Non-Removable Couch Cushions
As some stains are more difficult to remove than others, here’s some advice on the various stains that could happen to your sofa cushion cover.
Chewing Gum
Use ice cubes to freeze and harden chewing gum, and then scrape it off.
Oily Or Greasy Stains
Sprinkle cornstarch on oily stains, wait 15 minutes, then scrape them off. Any extra cornstarch should be removed using a wet towel.
Ink
For any ink stains, apply rubbing alcohol right away. Use a product that contains 90% alcohol and apply it by dabbing it with a clean cloth for the best results. Try vinegar diluted with water and soap if you don’t have any rubbing alcohol.
Special Fabrics
If your cushion cover is made of a material other than cotton or linen, such as silk, satin, leather, vinyl, or another such material, you might want to think about taking it to a dry cleaner. Make sure to demonstrate and explain the problematic stain, then let the experts handle it.
When to Call the Professionals
Call a couch cleaning professional if you have tried the above-mentioned cleaning methods and the stain remains. Large stains, deep stains, or old stains may need special cleaning fluids and the expertise of a certified cleaning technician.
How To Clean Non-Removable Couch Cushions -Final Thoughts
It can be devastating when you spill something on your favorite sofa. It’s unsightly, and you might be wondering if it’s even possible to get it out and if you will be able to save your couch. Luckily, all hope is not lost. In this article, we’ve discussed all the possible stains that you might be dealing with and how to deal with them.
If you don’t feel up to the task, there’s no shame in hiring a professional to get the job done for you.
We wish you all the best in your couch-cleaning adventure and hope that you found our article helpful. If you have any questions, please reach out to us in the comment section. And don’t forget to show some love by sharing this article.
Happy cleaning!
More Like This
- How To Clean Ceiling Fans With Vinegar
- How To Clean A Glass Table
- How to Clean A Wicker Basket
- 5 Minute cleaning tasks that make a hug difference in your home
Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
Leave a Reply