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If your dog has fleas, you should clean your couch and other upholstered furniture immediately. Fleas can lay eggs on furniture, and you can help remove them by regularly and thoroughly vacuuming your couch. Steam cleaning after vacuuming is also essential because the high heat can help kill the eggs and fleas on contact.

Yes, steam cleaning can be an effective way to clean a couch, but whether it's recommended depends on the upholstery material. It is possible to steam clean some couches, particularly those made of durable fabrics like cotton or polyester. However, not all materials handle heat and moisture well; delicate fabrics such as silk and rayon should only be dry-cleaned to avoid damage.

Before you begin, always double-check your couch manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. If steam cleaning is appropriate for your couch, opt for a gentle steam cleaner designed for fabric rather than a bulky carpet cleaner, and use the gentlest setting to prevent damage to the fabric and foam padding. Like with carpets, you may need to pretreat and spot-clean tougher stains.

While effective, steam cleaners can be expensive to buy or rent. If you are unsure about the material or the process, it's best to call a professional upholstery cleaning service to avoid causing damage.

Cleaning a leather sofa is typically easier than cleaning fabric sofas, although they do need annual conditioning to keep them in top condition. Where you can often quickly wipe down moisture-repellent leather with a damp cloth to remove dirt and spills, you might have to scrub fabrics and use specialist cleaning products to get rid of ingrained grime or soaked-in stains.

To get urine smell out of a fabric couch, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Gently dab the solution on the affected spot and let it sit for a few minutes, then blot it dry. For stubborn smells, especially if your pet likes to pee in the same spot, it’s a good idea to hire a professional cleaner versus choosing the DIY route. A pro can use an upholstery steam cleaner to get the dried urine smell out of the fabric.