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Depending on the upholstery, steam cleaning your couch is a simple and easy way to give your most sat-on piece of furniture new life. Like a carpet, you may need to pretreat and spot-clean tougher stains, but you shouldn’t use any larger or bulky steam cleaners you’d typically use on your carpets. Opt for a gentle steam cleaner that can specifically clean fabric, and double-check your couch manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations.

When cleaning upholstery, you want to avoid harsh scrubbing, oversaturating the fabric, and using the wrong kind of cleaner for the fabric you’re cleaning. Any of these can cause significant damage to the upholstery, including rips, stains, faded fabric, mildew, or discoloration. Be methodical and use a light touch when cleaning upholstered furniture to preserve the life and look of the upholstery. 

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.

Hydrogen peroxide is usually better for getting rid of urine smells on hardwood than vinegar. Unlike vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is odorless. This can be advantageous if you have a dog that likes to mark areas with a strong scent. Also, hydrogen is a strong oxidizer that can break down bacterial odors, and it is less likely to remove the finish on hardwood flooring than vinegar. Never mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. This creates corrosive and toxic peracetic acid.