Spraying Your Couch With Vinegar: It May Sound Strange But It Works

Your couch serves many purposes: family gathering spot, nap zone, movie theater, pet bed, and possibly even for eating dinner (we're not judging). With all that use, it's bound to pick up a stain or two. Instead of purchasing a product, consider making your own. Many people use all-natural cleaning methods for upholstered furniture, so it's likely safe to try a DIY vinegar cleaning solution to lift stains out of your couch. 

Vinegar is a biodegradable acid that breaks down grime without introducing strong chemicals or fragrances to your space. It's also an affordable and easy-to-use ingredient for cleaning upholstery. The first step is figuring out what your couch is made of. Using the wrong cleaning solution can cause disastrous results, such as permanent staining or fabric damage. Luckily, your couch has a secret code that tells you exactly how to clean it. 

Water is safe to use on sofas with a "W" tag. If a solvent-based cleaner is required, you will see "S." Water- or solvent-based cleaners are fine to use if there's a "WS" code. And lastly, "X" means the couch can only be vacuumed. If you have a leather couch, check whether it's protected or unprotected leather and confirm it says W or WS. For any sofa with W or WS labels, test the vinegar solution in a hidden area first to make sure it doesn't damage or discolor the fabric. If it goes well, you can safely tackle the stain.

No matter what your couch is made of, it's a good idea to vacuum the area first. This step removes accumulated dust, crumbs, pet hair, and skin cell debris, saving you from unnecessary scrubbing. Next, gently brush off any dried-on spills from the fabric with a towel or cleaning brush. For leather, dampen a clean microfiber cloth with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water and blot the couch, rinsing the cloth or switching to a clean one frequently. Pat the leather dry with a dry cloth.

For non-leather sofas, use a spray bottle and combine ¾ cup warm water with ¼ cup white vinegar and ½ tablespoon mild dish soap. Shake the bottle to mix up the solution, then spray it on the stain and let it sit for up to 10 minutes. Dab or blot with a clean microfiber cloth and let it dry. If the stain doesn't come up, try a stronger solution: 1 cup warm water, ½ cup vinegar, and ½ tablespoon dish soap. You could also try the popular sofa cleaning trick of making a baking soda paste. But if you are not seeing any results with the vinegar mixture or baking soda, it may be time to call a specialized cleaner.