How To Clean And Maintain Your Sofa Bed - A Comprehensive Guide
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Cleaning Your Sofa Bed's Sofa
- Upholstery - The Sofa Bed’s Dress Requires Cleaning
- Don't Overlook Your Sofa Bed's Frame
- Don't Forget About Your Mattress
- Closing Notes
You sit on your sofa bed to have a good time and relax. But you start wondering when it turned into a magnet for crumbs, stains, and a foul smell. We have all been there. If you haven't taken care of your sofa bed properly, you can witness all these symptoms.
If you want to make your sofa bed look good and feel great, you must regularly clean it. But if you aren't sure where to start, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your sofa bed in its best shape.
Cleaning Your Sofa Bed's Sofa
1. Vacuum The Dirt
Give your sofa bed a good vacuuming regularly and suck up all the crumbs, dust, and pet hair that like to hide in the crevices.
2. Flip And Fluff The Cushions
Every couple of weeks, flip your cushions over. If the cushions are particularly stubborn, you can even give them a gentle beating to get them back into shape.
After flipping and fluffing, use your hands to smooth out the surface of the cushions. This helps to maintain their shape and gives your sofa bed a neat, tidy appearance. If your sofa bed cushions are removable, rotate them around.
3. Add a Slipcover
If you want extra protection, get a slipcover to keep it safe from spills and stains. When the sofa bed is not in use for a while, throw a cover over your sofa bed to keep dust and dirt at bay.
4. Spot Clean The Sofa
Try cleaning the spot immediately. Avoid blotting the sofa if you spill something; otherwise, you can make a bigger mess.
Mix a bit of mild soap with some water. Dab a cloth in the solution and clean the stain. Always do a spot test on any hidden area first to make sure you don't mess up the fabric.
5. Consider Using Pet-Friendly Covers.
If you have pets—dogs or cats—who share your sofa bed, you know that your sofa bed collects pet hair and can get torn from claws. So consider using pet-friendly covers because they can shield your sofa bed.
6. Change Your Regular Sitting Spot
If you and your family members reserve a certain spot for daily sitting, ask them to change it to distribute weight evenly across the sofa bed. This also allows even wear.
Upholstery - The Sofa Bed’s Dress Requires Cleaning
1. Add Fabric Freshness
If you have fabric upholstery, spread some fabric freshener because nobody likes stinky couches. Add it now and then to keep your sofa bed smelling good.
2. Avoid Harsh Cleaning Products
Instead of grabbing some cheap cleaning products, follow your manufacturer's instructions because they know better. Check the manufacturer's care label for specific cleaning instructions.
3. Take Extra Care For Leather Upholstery
Leather upholstery loves to be pampered. Get a good leather conditioner and apply it a few times a year. This keeps the leather soft and prevents cracking. Follow the instructions on the conditioner, and it's best that you test it on a small area first.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight
If you place your sofa bed in a sunlight-prone area, be aware. Because the UV rays are powerful enough to cause sofa bed fabric(of any type) to fade over time.
To avoid dull upholstery, consider positioning your sofa bed away from sunlight. It's best to place the sofa bed in corners or locations where sunlight can't directly reach it.
If you can't avoid sunlight exposure, consider using curtains or shades to cover windows when sunlight is at its peak.
Don't Overlook Your Sofa Bed's Frame
Your sofa bed frame is the silent hero that's responsible for holding you. To keep it fresh and functioning, follow the given tips:
1. Tighten The Loose Part
Every now and then, grab a wrench and tighten all the screws and bolts. Because loose parts can turn your comfy spot into squeaky furniture.
2. Lube The Metal Parts
This is important. Use any light lubricant on the metal parts that move to keep everything sliding smoothly and quietly.
3. Spot The Rust
If you see any rust in the critical parts of the frame, know that it's something serious. Use a wire brush to clean it, and add some rust-resistant paint.
4. Check The Wobble
If you find your sofa bed wobbling, it means some parts are loose. So, give your sofa a little shake every few months, and if it wobbles, find out which part is loose and tighten it up. A sturdy frame means your sofa bed will last longer and stay comfy.
5. Keep It Clean
Dust and dirt can accumulate in the frame. Grab a dry cloth or a duster and give the frame and legs a quick cleaning. This gets rid of any loose dust and dirt present in there. Use a damp cloth and clean the mild soap. Then, dry it off to avoid water spots and keep the frame looking sharp.
If you have a wooden frame, consider using a bit of wood polish now and then to keep it looking shiny and new. For metal parts, a quick polish can help keep them from looking dull.
6. Mind The Weight
Sofa beds are sturdy, but that doesn't mean you can overload them with too much weight. Or you might find yourself with a busted frame. So, stick to the recommended weight limits to keep things solid.
7. Fix The Squeaks
Are you hearing a squeaking sound when you open or close the door or when you sit or get up from the sofa bed? It means your sofa bed is crying for help. Consider adding some lubricant to the noisy spot.
Don't Forget About Your Mattress
Your sofa bed mattress also requires cleaning and maintenance. Otherwise, it would start to sag and have a foul smell. So, to keep it comfortable and clean, follow these steps:
1. Air It Out
Make it a habit to take your mattress out and let it air out every few weeks or at least months. This gets rid of the trapped odors and also prevents mildew from forming.
2. Keep The Mattress Dry.
No matter how your mattress is placed on your sofa bed, just ensure it is dry and not exposed to moisture. If you have placed it in a moisture-laden environment, air it out or consider using a hair dryer to fasten the drying process.
3. Vacuum Your Mattress
Again, this should be your monthly routine. It's recommended that you use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to give the mattress a good clean. This will help remove the dust collected.
4. Use A Mattress Protector
If you are used to having food while lounging in your sofa bed, use a mattress protector because it can act as a barrier against spills, stains, and the usual wear and tear. Since most mattress protectors are machine-washable, cleaning them is a breeze.
5. Rotate The Mattress
Rotate your mattress from head to foot every few months to distribute the wear evenly. This can also avoid saggy spots.
6. Spot Cleaning
We know accidents happen. If you aren't using a mattress protector and you spill something on your mattress, clean it up right away. Use a mild detergent mixed with water and a clean cloth. Try bolting the stain gently.
7. Is Your Mattress Too Smelly?
Baking soda has the power to neutralize odors. So, sprinkle some baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for a few hours. Then, vacuum it up.
If you don't use the sofa bed as a bed, remove the mattress, wrap it in a breathable cover, and store it in a cool, dry place.
Closing Notes
Keeping your sofa bed well-maintained doesn't have to be a chore, especially if you clean it regularly. So incorporate sofa bed cleaning into your daily cleaning routine. You don't have to do deep cleaning every time.
Do the basics, like removing the dirt, fluffing the cushions, bolting the stains, etc., as a little effort goes a long way. Every year, call in the professionals for a deep clean. They have the tools and know-how to get your sofa bed looking brand new.
Remember, if you give your sofa bed the love it deserves, it will reward you with comfort.