The Chemistry of Sofa Cleaning, Solvents and Solutions
Sofas make memories. Movie nights with family, those afternoons curled up with a novel, brunches with friends, antics with the kids, fights and makeups for couples – it all happens on the household sofa. All that activity can leave it looking a bit worse for wear though. Spills from a rushed breakfast, muddy paw prints, or just the odd crumb from snacking during a film marathon — it all adds up. Which is why proper cleaning is key. That way you can enjoy lounging back on a fresh, spotless sofa. It’s so much nicer than worrying about whether those nasty stains will stick to your clothes. However, using the wrong cleaning methods can lead to damaged upholstery.
The Basics of Sofa Cleaning
When choosing a product to use when working on your sofa, look at the cleaning codes. These usually found on tags on the set, and include:
- W: Water-based cleaners are appropriate. These fabrics can handle mild detergents and gentle cleaning methods.
- S: Only solvent-based cleaners should be used. Water could damage these types of fabrics.
- W/S: Both water-based and solvent-based cleaners are acceptable, providing flexibility in cleaning methods.
- X: Vacuum or brush only. Applying water or solvent-based cleaners could harm the fabric.
There are two paths you can go with: DIY or hire a professional. With DIY, you’ll have to contend with the entirety of the task, sourcing for the products and machinery to use, and even hive out a huge section of your time to deal with the task. Any mistake made will be costly too. A simple oversight like leaving the furniture with too much water, and you’ll have a mould issue on your hands. Use the wrong cleaning chemical, and you end up damaging the upholstery. Fixing any issues that arise may even end up wiping out potential savings that would have been made. On the other hand, when you outsource this to a pro, they will ensure that the appropriate processes are used, and the efficacy and peace of mind you get justifies the costs involved.
Types of Solvents Used in Sofa Cleaning
Solvents are especially useful for tackling stains that water-based cleaners can’t handle, such as those from grease or oil. They work by breaking down the oils and grease in stains, making it easier to remove these substances latching onto the sofa’s fabric. However, these cleaning agents can be a double-edged sword. Sure, they are great with dealing with oily and non-water soluble stains. However, they are harsh on some fabrics, which is why it is imperative that you first ensure they are compatible with the upholstery being worked on before proceeding to wash the entire furniture set.
Dry cleaning solvents are used for delicate or non-colorfast fabrics that might be damaged by water-based cleaning methods. They get the task done without the risk of water damage, but they are less effective on heavily soiled or water-based stains. The modus operandi here is to apply the product, agive it time to work on the stain, then vacuum away the contents.
Let’s take a closer look at three common solvents used for cleaning sofas:
- Hydrocarbon Solvents: You’ll find this in products like mineral spirits. They are great for dissolving oils and grease from fabric. Take care though – they are pretty flammable, and will also emit strong odours. When testing them on your sofa, look at the effect on the fabric, nd whether they cause any colour bleeding.
- Chlorinated Solvents: Known for their effectiveness, they can get rid of tough stains better than many other cleaners. Perchloroethylene, commonly used in dry cleaning, quickly breaks down stains without leaving residue. However, can be harsh on some materials and may cause them to deteriorate if used incorrectly. When done, ensure that you properly dispose of them.
- Glycol Ethers: Solvents like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers work well on food and body oil stains. They are polar, making them less hazardous and free from the strong odours typical of chlorinated solvents, which makes them safer for indoor use and less likely to cause respiratory issues. They are ideal for delicate cleaning tasks since they give you a good balance between stain removal action and being gentle on fabrics.
Best Practices for Using Solvents Safely
Your goal here is to get rid of the grime that is on the sofa, not damage it or put your health at risk. Here are measures you should put in place during the sofa cleaning.
- Ensure Good Ventilation: Open up the windows so that the rooms don’t get chockfull of fumes. You don’t want to inhale harmful chemicals, or put the rest of the other household members at risk.
- Use Protective Gear: Wear gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes just in case there are any splashes or sprays of the solvent. Depending on the strength of the product and the extent of exposure, you might also need a respirator or mask.
- Test on a Small Area: This cannot be overemphasised. You’re dealing with potent chemicals here, and the last thing you want is to damage an expensive sofa. The effects may be irreversible. So before you start, see how the product works on a small, inconspicuous area
- Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the proper application and handling of the solvent. How much product are you supposed to use, and what tools should you work with? What must be avoided? Check the product’s manual or online for clarity. Also, a general rule is that chemicals should not be mixed, unless explicitly directed by the manufacturer.
- Avoid Open Flames: Since many solvents are flammable, do not use or store them around fires, pilot lights, and other sources of heat.
After you’re done with the sofa cleaning, properly dispose of any waste product and materials according to local regulations to minimize environmental impact. This includes using proper containers to avoid spills and contamination.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Before going rummaging through the store looking for products, you can start out right in your kitchen. There are common items here that can be whipped up into a safe and effective cleaning solution, while being gentle on both your furniture and the environment.
- Ingredients: White vinegar and baking soda will do the job. The vinegar will break down the dirt and neutralise odours, while baking soda serves as a soft scrub and deodorizer. You can even use dish soap to cut through grease.
- Preparation: Combine water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle, then add a teaspoon of dish soap to boost its cleaning strength. If you like, add a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or lemon for a pleasant fragrance. Test out this solution in a hidden spot to see its effects on the fabric colour and texture before proceeding to the next step.
- Application: Spray the mixture lightly on your sofa, then use a microfibre cloth to wipe the area. Dirty spots will need you to spend some extra time on them. If you encounter particular troublesome stains, sprinkle some baking soda directly on them, then spray on the vinegar solution. Scrub the spot gently after it fizzes. Thoroughly rinse the set to get rid of any residue, since this would end up being a dirt magnet.
Certainly, you can also acquire commercial cleaners for the task. Here, you have plenty of options to work with – just ensure that you’re getting a product that is suited for your particular type of sofa.
The Urgency Of Spills
Say you’re sitting on your plush sofa, holding a steaming cup of tea. If something were to momentarily distracts you, its easy for the cup to tilt and send its contents cascading over the rim, and splattering onto the sofa’s fabric. It happens to anyone – and is very frustrating when it does. Especially when the tea soaks into the sofa.
Those tannins that re responsible for the flavour of the tea will bond with the fibres of the upholstery fabric, and slowly the stain sets into the sofa. The colour darkens as the tannins oxidise due to exposure to the air. This oxidation process locks the stain into the fabric. That’s why even when using a damp cloth to quickly wipe away the spilled tea, the stain might persist. Chances are low if you work quickly on the spill as soon as it happens. Things get more difficult the longer that the stain remains unattended to. Specialised upholstery cleaning products are usually needed in such situations, to break down the tannins’ stubborn molecular bonds.
Similar case happens with wine. Its staining prowess comes down to the rich colourants in it – anthocyanins. These are potent natural dyes found in grape skins, which will bond rapidly with the fabric on your sofa. Just like tannins as was the case with the tea, they begin to set through oxidation. In this case, you’ll also need to contend with the alcohol in the wine, which acts as a solvent, that helps other compounds penetrate the fabric more deeply. It’s no surprise that wine stains tend to be particularly challenging to remove once they begin to set.
With ink, the primary component responsible for the ink’s deep and resilient color is the dye it contains, which bonds almost instantly at a molecular level with the material of your sofa. Ink stains set rapidly due to their chemical composition. Many inks are water-based, which aids their penetration into fabric, but others might be alcohol-based, making them even more challenging to manage once they’ve begun to dry. The dye molecules in the ink are designed to be permanent, which means they are resistant to washing and can bind tightly with the fibres of your sofa. On the other hand, the main issue with milk is not just the moisture but the proteins and fats it contains. These organic compounds begin to interact with the fabric, embedding deeply into the fibres. As the milk dries, these proteins and fats can bond with the material, and if left untreated, they can lead to unpleasant odors and potential discoloration. The stain might become more visible as it ages, turning yellowish as the milk residue reacts with the air and undergoes oxidation.
Whichever kind of spill it is, getting it cleaned off as soon as possible is key to protect the sofa. Over time, there are bound to be some stains that defied DIY measures to get rid of them. No worries, simply have them taken care of as part of a scheduled round of professional sofa cleaning.
Having your sofa professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months can significantly extend its life and refresh its appearance. Plus it’s way more convenient than you having to sweat it out over an entire weekend, scrubbing the sofas and dealing with the moisture that is in the upholstery – all whilst still risking ending up with unsatisfactory results. Bring in the pros to take the job off your hands, and ensure that it is carried out to quality standards in a fraction of the time that doing it as a DIY would take. Just ensure that you do a background check on the contractor you hire for the task, and check out their reviews as well. Learning from others’ experiences is always a better way to go, before putting yourself in harm’s way. If there are negative reviews, see if the company responded to the aggrieved client, and how the issue was resolved. When done well, such reviews serve to bolster one’s confidence in the service provider. Don’t be quickly swayed by the cheapest services out there. Rock-bottom rates are a sign that the company is cutting corners, which will put the entire operation at risk. They may be relying on inexperienced staff, using low quality products, or even not have insurance for their services. Compare prices from different contractors to get a range of what is optimal for your particular situation.
