Most people either clean their sofa constantly with surface sprays that don't do much, or leave it until there's a visible problem. Neither actually protects the fabric. Here's a realistic schedule that keeps a sofa looking good without becoming a chore.
Weekly: vacuum
A proper vacuum with the crevice and upholstery attachments, into every seam and under every cushion, not just a quick pass over the top. This is the single most important habit — dust and grit act like sandpaper on fabric fibres every time someone sits down, so removing it weekly slows down wear more than anything else on this list.
As it happens: spills and marks
Blot immediately, treat the specific stain properly (see our stain removal guide), and never let a fresh mark sit overnight if you can help it.
Monthly: cushions and rotation
Flip and rotate reversible cushions so wear and fading spread evenly, and give the whole sofa a once-over check for any early staining or odour building up in high-use spots like arm rests.
Every 3–6 months: full deep clean
A proper deep clean (see our deep clean guide) using the cleaning code on the tag as your guide. Households with kids or pets should lean toward every 3 months; a quieter household can stretch to 6.
Once or twice a year: leather conditioning
If it's a leather sofa, conditioning twice a year keeps it supple and stops premature cracking — this is separate from cleaning and often skipped.
The habit that matters most
Consistency beats intensity. A weekly vacuum and prompt spill treatment does more for a sofa's lifespan than an occasional deep scrub. It's the same principle we apply during every refurbishment at Revived Sofas — proper ongoing care is what makes a preloved sofa last just as long as a new one.
Browse our refurbished sofas, each one restored to a genuinely like-new standard.