A dirty sofa can easily break up the tenor of a room and convey a sense of clutter, even if nothing is out of place. At Bova Contemporary Furniture in Cincinnati, OH, taking pride in living room furniture comes second nature. These furnishing professionals understand exactly what it takes to tidy up even the most stubborn pieces, and they have some effective methods of keeping that sofa tidy.

Here are the staff’s three best tips for cleaning a sofa:

• Vacuum First: Start with the obvious dirt and debris first. What’s visible on the surface can easily be removed with a vacuum attachment or a cordless hand unit. Narrow tools will easily fit into trickier corners of the sofa and attack the minuscule particles that may be caught in tiny spaces. Don’t forget to vacuum the cushions, and to remove any base cushions and vacuum the space underneath.
• Detach Dirt: Stubborn patches of dirt won’t usually come off with a vacuum, but a sturdy brush with stiff bristles may do the job. Run it over the affected area to loosen the debris, then follow by vacuuming the area again.
• Eliminate Fur: Nothing says “dirty” quite like a layer of pet hair or animal dander on your sofa. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to remove with a lint roller. Run it over the entire sofa multiple times, and be sure to peel off sheets as you go along so that you can effectively lift up fur from the entire piece.
• Clean Surfaces: Some sofas have visible legs made of hardwood or even armrests with wooden accents. Use a gentle cleaner to wipe down these surfaces and remove specks of dust and dirt. Warm water and a cloth work well, too.

If you are especially concerned about the state of your living room furniture or own a sofa made with a delicate fabric, you may be interested in hiring a professional upholstery cleaner to handle the job. At Bova Contemporary Furniture, posh, upscale, and well-kept furniture is simply a given, and it truly pays to go the extra mile to care for your furnishings. Visit the company’s website to browse everything from sofas to bedroom sets, or give them a call at (513) 247-9100 for more information.