It is an amazing day in the life of any antique furniture buyer; you have gotten an antique sofa with the brand name Chippendale or Hepplewhite, and you have the perfect space for it in your home.
However, as you were buying it, you may have noticed that it was a bit grubby- not everyone treats antiques as they should, which can mean that they will need a bit of restoration and cleaning. Is cleaning an antique sofa an OK thing to do? Yes, if you do it right, and here, you will be given some tips on how to do just that. Just note that if you can, please talk to a restorer if you have concerns before you begin cleaning!
Use a Mild Cleaner
If your sofa has a difficult stain and you think about getting out some bleach to remove it, stop right now! Bleach is a very harsh chemical, and it is likely that the cotton or the other material that has been used to cover the sofa won’t take well to being sprayed with it!
Antique sofas may require multiple, delicate cleans with a mild cleaner to remove stains. It is worth looking into what the upholstery on the sofa is made from so you can adjust the cleaner accordingly. This will prevent damage and remove the stain; if it doesn’t, you should contact a professional restorer.
Use Soft Cloths
Again, there is no point in digging out the wire wool for an antique stain on an already frayed sofa unless you are looking to ruin it! When you apply the cleaner, make sure you use a soft, lint-free cloth and do not oversoak it. Make sure the cloth is clean, and if you have to do multiple cleans, make sure that the cloth is washed after each time.
Cold Washes Can Help
Suppose that the sofa you are looking to restore has removable covers. Is it worth removing them to wash them? Yes, but only if they are hand-washed in cold water. Hot water can cause them to shrink, and don’t even think about putting them in a washing machine or a tumble dryer! It can be worth soaking the fabrics in oxygen bleach if they are yellow or stained and then giving them the rinse through in some cold water, but be sure to use the minimum amount of oxygen bleach to do this.
Drip Dry
Modern fabrics are rarely equipped to go through a tumble dryer multiple times. So, it stands to reason that antique fabrics won’t be either. Be sure that once you have cleaned the coverings, that you allow them to drip dry on a line outside. Do not ring the fabric to remove the water, as this could cause tears, and be sure that it is a sunny day when you do so, as this can help to whiten fabrics that have been yellowed. With heavier sofa covers, this may take a few days, so patience is a virtue!
