3 easy ways to clean a fabric couch naturally.

Home is where the heart is, but really, that favorite spot on the couch is actually the keeper of your heart. The one where the cushion is a bit worn out and your pet’s hair is probably everywhere. You know the one.

Everyone loves a good, relaxing lounge on the couch. Whether that’s movie night with the kids, snuggle time with the pet, or a well-deserved nap after a long day, a good couch supports you through thick and thin.

But as a constant standby and supporter, couches inevitably get dirty and worn down. From food crumbs to sweat to pet hair to wine stains — the couch takes more of a beating than most furniture. Because of this, your sofa may become a hotbed for bacteria and viruses. So, how do you actually clean a couch? With proper natural cleaners, a few cleaning tips, and a bit of patience, you can get your fabric couch looking brand new again.

Before we get into how to clean your couch and couch cushions, check out our list below of what natural cleaners and tools you should gather first. There are a handful of great cleaners to use on your couch—just make sure they are made with natural ingredients and not harsh chemicals or bleaches that can damage your couch fabric. And, like most cleaning jobs, the right cleaning product all depends on the type of textile you’re working on.

The following tools and materials generally work great on a fabric couch — but not on a synthetic, wool, or leather couch.

What you’ll need

• Baking soda
• Water
• Microfiber cloth or regular kitchen cloth
• Vacuum cleaner
• Disinfecting spray or disinfecting wipes
• Optional: lint brush

The first and most important step in cleaning your couch is finding its care tag. These are usually underneath the cushions or on the underside of the couch itself.

The care tag will tell you more about what your couch is made of and how best to care for it.

You’ll also find a few different codes or symbols:

W: Water-based cleaner

“W” means that you can safely use water and a water-based cleaner to clean your couch.

S/W: Solvents and water based cleaners

“S/W” means you can use solvents and water-based cleaners to clean your couch. Solvents include products like any of the best natural laundry detergents.

S: Solvents

“S” means you can safely use solvents, and only solvents, to clean your couch. This includes dry solvent cleaners that do not use water.

X: Vacuum only

“X” means you cannot use a traditional couch cleaner of any kind — stick to using a vacuum cleaner or calling the professionals.

Whether it's an old hand-me-down or a newly broken-in piece, deep cleaning your couch is crucial to keeping it clean, comfy, and beautiful. First, try this all-natural deep-cleaning process, and if your couch needs more help, move on to our quick tips for stain-removal in the following section.

Step 1: Vacuum

Before you start vacumming, try a lint brush on your couch to loosen debris. Then, using an upholstery or soft brush attachment, vacuum the entire couch. Remove the cushions, if you can, and get into the crevices where crumbs and hair tend to hide.

Step 2: Wipe down

Use a slightly damp Microfiber cloth to wipe down the non fabric-upholstered sections of the couch — like the legs, the supports, and the couch itself, if it’s the right material — to remove dust and reduce germs.

Step 3: Deodorize

When it comes to odors, baking soda is your best friend. Sprinkle it over the entirety of your fabric-upholstered couch, let it sit for a half hour, and vacuum it thoroughly. The odors will disappear along with the baking soda!