Over Your Sofa? Here’s How to Whip It Back into Top Shape in No Time
Apartment Therapy’s January Cure is a free 20-day program that’ll help you reset your home for the year ahead. Sign up here and get all assignments delivered to your inbox.
There are quite a few things that are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning, despite how frequently they’re used. That includes things like the microwave or air fryer, maybe even your mouse pad (seriously, when was the last time you actually cleaned it?).
For me, it’s my sectional — and it really needs cleaning. Dog hair, crumbs, spills, — it all gets into the crevices. Luckily, today’s task is the perfect opportunity to get it done. And if your sofa needs some TLC too, let’s clean together.
Day 13: Get your sofa into shape
If you don’t have a sofa, you can go with another seat you frequent, such as your reading chair, office chair, or even your clothes chair. First, read any care instructions that accompany your furniture. If you no longer have it with you (like me!) a quick search online for the product or type of material will be so helpful and ensure you don’t damage it. (If you have a leather sofa, for instance, you want to avoid staining it.)
Once you’ve established what you need to clean, get to work and really clean everything. Remove couch cushions and get every nook and cranny. When using a new cleaner, be sure to spot treat first before proceeding ahead. If you can move the couch, this will help you to get underneath it with a vacuum cleaner. And don’t forget to clean the blankets and throw pillows.
If you notice any major stains that aren’t easy to remove, you might want to add that to your running to-do list so that you can get to it later. And if your upholstery is best cleaned by a professional, do what you can to vacuum out dirt and debris and schedule a time to get it cleaned.
PRO TIP: Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your items. Consider adding “sofa cleaning” to your calendar so that you have it regularly scheduled.
More ways to participate in the January Cure:
- Sign up for email updates or SMS alerts
- Visit the 2023 January Cure page and catch up on assignments
- Join the Apartment Therapy Cure Facebook group
- Download the January Cure calendar
- Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall January Cure progress here!
The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.