How to Keep Your Sofa and Carpets Clean Between Professional Cleans

Sofas, rugs and carpets take a lot of daily use. They collect dust, crumbs, spills and smells, and in Lagos they also have harmattan dust and high humidity to deal with.

A professional upholstery or carpet clean will restore them, but how you look after them in between makes a big difference to how long they stay clean. None of the habits below need special products.

01Vacuum at least once a week

Dust and grit work their way deep into fabric and carpet fibres. Left there, they dull the colour and wear the fibres down over time.

Vacuum carpets and rugs at least once a week, and more often in busy rooms. On sofas, use the upholstery attachment and remember the crevices and the area under the seat cushions.

02Treat spills straight away

The sooner you deal with a spill, the less likely it is to leave a stain.

• Blot the spill gently with a clean, dry cloth. Rubbing pushes it deeper into the fibres.
• Work from the outer edge towards the centre so the spill doesn’t spread.
• Test any cleaning product on a hidden area first.
• Use as little liquid as possible, since soaking fabric can leave water marks.

03Check the care label before using any product

Many sofas have a care label, usually under a seat cushion, showing how the fabric can be cleaned. A common system uses W for water-based cleaners, S for solvent-based cleaners only, W/S for either, and X for vacuuming only.

If there is no label, or you are unsure, leave stubborn marks to a professional rather than risk damaging the fabric.

04Turn and rotate your cushions

Most people sit in the same spot every day. Turning and swapping your sofa cushions every week or two helps them wear evenly and hold their shape.

05Protect fabrics from strong sunlight

Direct sunlight fades fabrics and rugs over time. Drawing curtains or blinds during the brightest part of the day helps protect them, especially in rooms with large windows.

06Reduce the dirt that comes indoors

Much of the dirt in carpets is carried in on shoes, particularly during the rainy season. A good mat at each entrance and a shoes-off rule indoors will keep far more dirt out than vacuuming alone.

07Keep rooms well ventilated

Lagos humidity can leave fabrics smelling musty, and dust from the harmattan or nearby roads settles into the fibres. Opening windows when the air is clear and running a fan helps fabrics stay dry and fresh.

When to book a professional upholstery or carpet clean

Everyday care helps, but some problems need professional cleaning:

• Stains that won’t lift, or that come back after cleaning.
• Smells that remain even after airing the room.
• Fabric or carpet that looks dull, flat or matted.
• Before or after hosting a large gathering at home.
• When you move into a home with existing furniture or carpets.

Chinova Cleaning Services offers upholstery cleaning and carpet cleaning to restore the look and feel of your sofas, chairs, rugs and carpets. If you are wondering whether regular help would suit your home, read whether hiring a professional cleaner is worth it.