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    How to Steam Clean a Couch

    By Stacy 56 Comments

    There is something about the new year that makes me want to clean all the things. Maybe it is the act of putting away the Christmas decor and placing everything back to how it was before that pushes me to do it. Or maybe it is because everyone keeps getting sick and I want to feel like my house is sanitized. Either way, I always tend to deep clean my house in January. There's something that I think tends to get skipped over though..... Do you sanitize your couch as part of your deep cleaning routine? Well, maybe you should! :) Here's how to steam clean a couch!

    This post is sponsored by Wagner. All opinions and ideas are 100% my own. This post contains an affiliate link.

    steam cleaning a couch with a steam machine

    How To Steam Clean A Couch

    Upholstery harbors odors. Well, at least at my house with 4 boys and a dog it does! It also harbors all sorts of other things I'd like to not think about (like dust mites!). It is probably a good idea to sanitize your fabric couch every now and then. Or if you have been thrifting and found a great couch for your space, giving it the once over with a steam machine is probably a smart idea. I used the Wagner 915e steam cleaner.

    steam cleaning a couch
    Using the Wagner 915e Steam Cleaner available on Amazon

    Vacuum

    If your couch has upholstery, the first thing you need to do is use a vacuum cleaner and thoroughly vacuum the entire couch. This removes any pet hair or loose dirt. If your couch has a strong odor, you can sprinkle baking soda on it and let it sit overnight. The baking soda absorbs most of the smell and it can then be vacuumed away. I have done this with my area rugs as well.

    vacuuming couch before steaming

    Check Fabric Type

    Not all couches can be steam cleaned. Real leather couches should be cleaned another way and some delicate fabrics should also avoid being steamed. If you are not sure what type of fabric it is, or if your couch can be safely steamed, check the label. The care instructions should have a code indicating the type of cleaner that can be used. S for solvent, W for water, and an X means you can not safely use water.

    If you are unsure or if the tag is no longer on the couch, test a small area on the back or somewhere hidden before doing the entire couch. If there is any damage or color fading, you will have to clean your couch another way. I am showing an example of an upholstered couch, but I have also successfully cleaned faux leather and vinyl couches with a steamer. I even steam cleaned my velvet bench many times.

    steam cleaning velvet bench

    Treat Stains and Spills First

    Fill your steam machine with clean water according to the instructions. Wait for it to heat up. If you have any stains or spills, use the soft bristle brush attachment on the steamer to gently clean it off. The hot vapors will help loosen what is stuck. I move the stationary brush in a circular motion. Have a clean cloth handy to wipe away the mess. Stubborn stains may need to be addressed after the steaming process with cleaning solution or an upholstery cleaner for best results.

    steam cleaning stains with brush attachment

    Steam Your Couch Clean!

    I add the attachment with the cloth over it. It is what I use to steam my clothes or curtains. Start with the backs and couch cushions as they can be removed. Work in small sections at a time. Once the whole cushion is steam cleaned, check the pad and see if it needs to be replaced. If you don't have multiple cloth covers, you can use clean socks. I buy the little bootie socks to use as extra covers. Put a new cover over the steamer attachment as needed and move on to the next section of couch.

    steam cleaning a couch

    It really doesn't take that much time to do, and because of using a steam cleaning machine, not much water was used so the drying process will be quick as well. I love that I can avoid using harsh chemicals by using high-temperature steam instead. Once you are done, unplug the steam machine and allow it to cool before emptying any left over water.

    Check out my post on 40 Ways to Use Your Steam Cleaner for more ideas on what to clean in your home!

    PIN For Later:

    how to steam clean a couch

    The whole cleaning process is fairly easy and you will be rewarded with a clean couch! I love to steam my chairs and pillows as well while I have the steam cleaner out. It is a great way to freshen up your home.

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    Filed Under: Cleaning 56 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alina

      January 21, 2022 at 3:05 pm

      With a dog, a puppy and a 9 month old...the couch!!!! :-)

      Reply
    2. Karen

      January 21, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      It would be nice to have a steam cleaner not only for inside the house but also to clean the car. Thank you, Stacy, for the giveaway!

      Reply
      • Faith

        January 21, 2022 at 10:32 pm

        It would be great to steam clean my couch and chairs. We recently got a puppy and she is definitely a new smell in the house.

        Reply
      • Kristy

        January 22, 2022 at 7:12 am

        Definitely the couch with two dogs and kids but it would be helpful in many other ways.

        Reply
    3. Joan Jaeger

      January 21, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      I love Wagner products. If you have pets this would be great!

      Reply
    4. Anjanette

      January 21, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      I have a velvet couch that could use a steam clean.

      Reply
    5. michelle

      January 21, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      I have kitties! I definitely need to steam-clean my couches. Thank you for the giveaway!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 26, 2022 at 5:14 am

        My off white couch looks so bad now! I’d love to try a steamer on it!

        Reply
    6. Erin Prohaska

      January 21, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      That looks like a dream! I would start with our couch for sure! Thank you for the opportunity!

      Reply
      • Rebeka

        January 21, 2022 at 5:25 pm

        I have a couch with non removable covers... And dust mites... I need this!

        Reply
    7. Leslie Kiley

      January 21, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      We Have twin 1-year-olds at our house! This would be so wonderful for all the spills, muck, and junk that comes along! Give us some refreshed places to sit!

      Reply
    8. Linda

      January 21, 2022 at 4:19 pm

      Sounds like a safe way to clean sofa and chair that haven’t had anything but regular vacuuming in thirty-five years.

      Reply
    9. Tenley Erickson

      January 21, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      With 2 dogs and a kid, our couches and mattresses need a good cleaning. This would also be great to clean/sanitize dog beds! The Wagner 915e Steam Cleaner would be a blessing!

      Reply
    10. Nicole Miller

      January 21, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      My couch needs a good cleaning and I was just wondering how I was going to do that!

      Reply
    11. Nancy

      January 21, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      Awesome idea! Would love to steam clean quite a few items in my home!

      Reply
    12. Colleen

      January 21, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Looks like a great product!

      Reply
    13. Melanie

      January 21, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      I think having a steam cleaner would be wonderful. The couch would be a great starting place. Thank you so much for the informational

      Reply
    14. Melissa Storms

      January 21, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      We have a love seat that my animals have pretty much claimed as their own. I really need to clean it and probably should at least once a month. There is only so much the vacuum and sticky rolls can do.

      Reply
      • Katie Craig

        January 21, 2022 at 6:26 pm

        I would love to try a steam cleaner ! Just from what you posted it looks like you can steam clean so many things ! Thank you so much for the post and so cool Wagner is doing a giveaway- I heard their products are awesome.

        Reply
    15. Anne Marie

      January 21, 2022 at 6:31 pm

      My living room couch, chair and ottoman need a good steam cleaning. I would love to try this product. It sounds great.

      Reply
    16. Linda Nelson

      January 21, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      My couch and chairs on our back porch.

      Reply
    17. Auntiepatch

      January 21, 2022 at 6:48 pm

      My whole house needs cleaning! Starting with the bathrooms and the kitchen! Ugh!

      Reply
    18. Angie B

      January 21, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      My couch, the cat tower, recliner

      Reply
    19. Mary B Tyner

      January 21, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      With three Doxies, clean the couch and recliners.

      Reply
    20. Annette

      January 21, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      My sofa needs cleaning.

      Reply
    21. Kenya F

      January 21, 2022 at 9:14 pm

      I have 2 cats that loves to hang out on the couch so definitely the couch.

      Reply
    22. kesha

      January 22, 2022 at 1:04 am

      With my cats always on the couch, it can use a good cleaning!

      Reply
    23. lyn

      January 22, 2022 at 7:12 am

      My couch needs this!

      Reply
    24. Rust

      January 22, 2022 at 8:00 am

      Definitely the couch and also my office chair. And this steamer would be good for the bathroom too.

      Reply
    25. Cathy French

      January 22, 2022 at 8:47 am

      We have 2 recliners which both need steam cleaned.

      Reply
    26. Anna Chan

      January 22, 2022 at 10:06 am

      everything needs cleaning in my house, it's an unending cycle

      Reply
    27. Brooke

      January 22, 2022 at 11:08 am

      I need to steam my bathroom grout!

      Reply
    28. Elizabeth Cloud

      January 22, 2022 at 11:16 am

      My whole house needs steam cleaning with two teenagers, 3 cats, a dog and a husband! But I would especially love to steam clean all of our mattresses. I don’t want think about what lurks there although I regularly vacuum and sanitize them.

      Reply
    29. Marin D

      January 22, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      I have a chair that needs a little tlc. And my car! I love steam cleaners!

      Reply
    30. Stephanie Ann

      January 22, 2022 at 4:40 pm

      My kitchen always needs cleaning.

      Reply
    31. Kelly D

      January 22, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      I think I would try this on our fridge.

      Reply
    32. Shelly

      January 23, 2022 at 12:04 am

      I have 4 sons, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 daughter. Everything in my house needs to be deep cleaned, especially my couches.

      Reply
    33. Elle

      January 24, 2022 at 7:51 am

      Our couch and kitchen appliances.

      Reply
    34. Jeremy McLaughlin

      January 24, 2022 at 8:40 am

      The couches and carpets need cleaning

      Reply
    35. Pam Guthrie

      January 24, 2022 at 11:14 am

      Doing a lot of new construction, so badly need help with steam cleaner!

      Reply
    36. Linda

      January 24, 2022 at 6:04 pm

      Definitely the sofa, couch and chairs.

      Reply
    37. Bobbi Abbott

      January 25, 2022 at 6:39 am

      THIS would come in so handy to clean my sofa and loveseat that is well-loved by my longhaired cats :) ..

      Reply
    38. Bonnie

      January 25, 2022 at 12:04 pm

      I’ve got dining chairs, a sofa, and side chairs that could all benefit from a good cleaning!

      Reply
    39. Jamie

      January 25, 2022 at 12:09 pm

      I want to steam my mattress.

      Reply
    40. Mariellen

      January 25, 2022 at 1:16 pm

      We just got a new sectional today so want to keep it looking new…especially with kiddos and a dog

      Reply
    41. sheila ressel

      January 25, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      My floors and living room furniture could all use a good steam cleaning.

      Reply
    42. Becky

      January 25, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      Ooh what a fun giveaway! My couch thanks you! It’s looking dingy!

      Reply
    43. Kris

      January 25, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      That looks so fun!!! I’m steam cleaner obsessed!! It looks like such a great way to clean!!!

      Reply
    44. Fatima Hanif

      January 25, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      Thats a great a giveaway. Definitely good for deep cleaning those couches and chairs. Thanks for the opportunity.

      Reply
    45. Daralyn

      January 25, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      Bathrooms—erase any trace of Covid!

      Reply
    46. Elizabeth

      January 26, 2022 at 5:40 am

      Bathroom grout, kitchen floor grout and I’m sure I could find 100 more things to use it on!

      Reply
    47. Lisa Stover

      January 26, 2022 at 8:52 am

      Everything needs cleaning! We had COVID come through, so I've been cleaning non-stop. I also have a dog, so I definitely need to deep clean all soft surfaces.

      Reply
    48. Molly

      January 27, 2022 at 6:08 pm

      Everything could use a good cleaning at my house between my family and pets! The couches would be first!

      Reply
    49. Wendy Browne

      January 29, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      I'd like to steam my couches and my mattress.

      Reply
    50. Cassandra D

      January 29, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      I would definitely say the couch.

      Reply
    51. Jason W

      January 29, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      Definitely the sofa and bathroom

      Reply

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    stacyHey! I'm Stacy and am a DIY addict. I love to get my hands dirty, whether it's sawdust, paint, or dirt. My goal is to help YOU learn to fix up your home and yard. No matter the style or size, I think everyone should love their home. And it doesn't takes a big budget to get there. Let's DIY together!

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