Mum has offered to clean the arms of my sofa while she's here...........................what with though?

[Aero]

Any suggestions? They are really bad. The rest of the sofa is ok and clean as the covers are removable and washable, but the arms have never been cleaned. The dirt/stains are very worn in now (I did make washable arm covers which hide it well so not a total slob), but we have no idea what to clean it with. Is this a case for bi-carb? If so, how do we go about it and if not, what should we use? Do I need to go product hunting? HELP please.

Vanish Oxy Action

Ummmm... some biological washing powder in warm wather, and scrub them with a soft nail brush, then blot with towels. If you think the fabric will stand it.

Yes - I do believe the fabric will stand it - it's fairly good quality - am ashamed now . Tbh I hate the sofas and would love new ones, but there's no way that'll be happening until ds2 is a few years older - no point whatsoever (not to mention being skint).

You can hire carpet/upholstery cleaners - if your carpet could also do with a scrub that might be a way to go. I did this at Christmas and scrubbed the sofa arms too (green and white stripes), they did end up somewhat cleaner, but with drippy tidemarks.

1001 spray might be a good thing to use. Or one of those bottles to put diluted cleaner in, with a brush attached.

Think the tidemarks is what Mum is worried about. Might go with the detergent and nailbrush then blotting idea. Lets' face it, they can't possibly come out looking any worse than they do now.

Colditz - you are indeed a genius. They've come up a treat and are gleaming.

Oh really? Thanks, colditz and Aero - I will try that too - my sofa arms are minging (again)

Anytime Jan, and believe me, mine were truly minging! I can't believe pretty much all that gross worn in dirt came out!

Maybe we should have a 'How to.........?' page!

But I am an utter slattern!

Obviously, being lazy, I have gravitated towards the most labour efficient way

JoolsToo did mine with babywipes the other week - they look brilliant!!!

Babywipes are fab. I know I will still be buying them when bump is potty trained!

Be careful though - what colour/material is the sofa? I did ours with vanish upholstery foam stuff and it took the colour out!!

The colour has remained in tact swiper, so the answer seems to be pretty simple and no expensive products! They look great - shame Mum's going home on Monday!

Was your sofa Scotchguarded? I washed some dreadfully dirty cushion covers that had been scotchguarded and they came up gleaming. I was wondering if it's worth getting it done.

Good question cp - don't think so though, but the covers come up well when I wash them, though they have lost some colour over the 8+ years we've had it.