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To prepare your upholstery for steam cleaning, start by vacuuming it clean. Pretreat any stains with a professional stain fighter or your own solution of dish soap and water. Pre-condition the fabric with the products of your choice, and be sure to include a shampoo if the fabric allows for shampooing. Start steam cleaning your couch or other piece of furniture with the cushions, then tackle the rest of the chair. Make sure you leave plenty of time to let it dry.

The best solution to clean a suede couch is using 4 cups of warm water to ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid. Always test your solution on a small hidden area first to confirm it won’t cause further damage.

Similarly to cleaning a mattress, another common question is whether you can clean a couch with a carpet cleaner. Yes, you can use a carpet cleaner to clean a couch, especially if it comes with an upholstery attachment and you're using the right cleaning solution. Just like with mattresses, it’s important to avoid oversaturating the fabric and to use products that are safe for upholstery. Always check the care tag on your couch and spot-test a hidden area before deep cleaning to avoid discoloration or damage.

Signs your couch needs cleaning include a buildup of crumbs or pet hair, unsightly stains, grimy discoloration, or bad odors. Your couch typically needs deep cleaning every six to 12 months, but a weekly vacuum helps keep it crud-free. Cleaning schedules vary depending on the couch fabric and color, and one that accommodates shedding pets and careless kids will need cleaning more frequently.