When we wash anything at home, we use water, right? Not really. At least in the case of suede or corduroy, the situation becomes more complicated. Water can do more harm than good because in many cases it locks tiny fabric fibers into place, potentially leaving a permanent rubbing mark. Natural suede and corduroy are not cheap; you definitely don't want to ruin them. How to clean a suede and corduroy sofa?
ContentHow to clean a suede and corduroy sofa: why is water the enemy? How to clean a suede and corduroy sofa: trust the professionalsIf you want to do the cleaning yourself
Don't worry. WomanEL will share with you simple life hacks for cleaning furniture made from this fabric.
How to clean a suede and corduroy sofa: why is water the enemy?
Corduroy is susceptible to damage because it is a relatively thin and highly absorbent fabric in terms of upholstery textiles. This means that any spilled liquids, including water, are quickly absorbed, leaving stains that cannot be removed.
Be especially careful if you own a corduroy sofa and live in a home or area with hard water. High mineral content in water can damage this delicate tissue. Suede, on the other hand, tends to discolor and harden when exposed to large volumes of water. However, synthetic versions of these fabrics may not react to water in the same way.
How to clean a suede and corduroy sofa: trust the professionals
If you're not sure, look for a cleaning instruction label on the sofa or read the care manual. The letters W (wet) and WS (wet and solvent) indicate that cleaning with water is permitted. If you see a D (dry cleaning), S (solvent) or X (vacuum cleaner), keep water away from your precious chair.
A professional service should be the default option if you can't find information about cleaning your furniture or if you have any doubts about your cleaning abilities. It is especially important to hire a professional service if you are dealing with antique or vintage fabrics.
If you want to do the cleaning yourself
All you need is patience, guidance (we've got you covered!), and the right cleaning solutions and equipment. Cleaning a corduroy sofa at home requires several steps. First, vacuum the entire sofa and check it thoroughly for stains. Remove any stains found by wiping them with a damp cloth. If your sofa label says S, mix 2 tablespoons baking soda in a small bowl with lemon juice and use this remedy. Attention: test it in a secluded place first! You can also remove stains by sprinkling them with cornstarch overnight and then vacuuming them up. Steam the upholstery – this will help get rid of wrinkles.
Once dry, carefully comb the corduroy so that the threads stand upright again, and remove stubborn dust and dirt. The process for cleaning suede is similar, but there is one important difference: do not clean it with a brush. Suede does not withstand heavy loads well. After cleaning, treat the sofa with a stain-repellent product, such as RepelWell Upholstery Protect (buy a sprayer for $19.99) or Nanotech Fabric-Shield – a sprayer costs $13.95 on Amazon.
But what if you have furniture leather? It turns out that nothing complicated is required: just this essential oil.