Sofas

[WittgensteinsBunny]

We have a 3 yo and an 18 mo. Our sofas are horrible! We've only owned them for 3.5 years and they just look awful. I've had them cleaned and have contacted the guy to come back. He used a professional washing machine. They looked great afterwards. A lot of the problem is spilt drinks, mucky hands etc DH keeps dabbing at the with wet cloths which is leaving water marks. I don't want to cover them with throws. The covers can be dry cleaned and replaced (multiyork). As we only had them cleaned a few months' ago, and they're really bad again, I'm wondering if I should get new washable rather than dry clean covers? Any advice (beyond snacks and drinks only in the kitchen from now on!)

[Mcchickenbb41]

Iv got a creamy coloured sofa ( like a fool ) and I know you've already acknowledged what I'm about to say but ...... After three years my suite is still in quite good condition but Iv had to work really hard to keep it that way. It helps that I don't have a lounge/diner anymore so I have no reason for food to be in living room. Also have baby wipes everywhere and always wipe dd hands and face after any food. Also sorry but I do have throws and they have saved many possible accidents. Dd been toilet training so been putting throw away changing mats under throws as a just in case. I used to have a leather sofa which I hated but it was sooooo easy to keep clean. Before that I had a sofa with washable covers but I would only do it twice a year. It was a claret colour and it started to fade after a few washes. So maybe dry clean only may work but will be expensive though. I just had my curtains dc and cost £65.

[ceres]

We have multiyork sofas with dry clean only covers. I had them dry cleaned once.....since then I have machine washed them on a 30 degree cycle and they are fine. Sofas are 14 years old now and still have the original covers.

[WittgensteinsBunny]

Thanks for this. Ceres I think I'm going to try that. I washed the arm covers and they came out fine. Did you just use regular detergent? McChicken that's what we should be doing and am working on!

[Mcchickenbb41]

Lol trust me I'm not judging. Had so much furniture ruined in the past by little mucky faces and fingers. If it's any consolation dd aged nearly 3 had spag Bol for dinner the other night and got down from the table without me knowing, went running into living room and wiped mouth all over sofa. Luckily it came straight out sometimes I wonder if it's more hard work than it's worth and wish id just kept the leather sofa

[ceres]

I always use woolite rather than my usual bio powder.

[Kirstyrad11]

I can remove all the covers of my sofa and cushions they really need a clean my little girl hasn't been well so she was sick on them can I just put these in the washing machine and are they ok to put in the tumble dryer

[WittgensteinsBunny]

I have washed one with wool stuff and then tackled some stubborn stains with vanish (that has taken the colour out a little)

I washed the other with bio as the 3 yo projectile vomited all over it at the weekend. I've also had to spray the vom stain with a vinegar solution as the washing alone didn't get rid of the smell.

Both are absolutely fine. Bit wrinkled but only very slightly.

Thanks for the hekp!

[WorkAccount]

No food or drink is had at our sofa by anybody under 20 years old, it seems to be working for us :)
Also no drawing etc.