Yes, you can wash your couch with a pressure washer! It’s actually a great way to get rid of dust, dirt, and grime that builds on a couch as time passes with use.
You can, however, damage the fabric of your couch if you’re not careful when pressure washing it. We’ll explain how to avoid that below.
Couches are expensive to replace, so you want to make sure you’re taking proper care of it when washing it, especially with a high powered pressure washer. We also have other articles on how to pressure wash a mattress and how to pressure wash a rug if you’re interested.
Caution: You will be getting your couch wet in this cleaning process, which means it will take some time to dry your couch. Be sure you make other arrangements to make yourself comfortable for a day or two while your couch dries. You may need to make due with lawn furniture or other chairs temporarily.
What you need to pressure wash your couch
-A pressure washer, or pressure washer gun attachment, with a low-pressure nozzle attachment
-Towels
-Baking soda or vinegar
-Dish soap (optional)
Step by step guide to pressure washing your couch:
1. Start by trying to determine what kind of material your is made of. If your couch is made of a very delicate material or a material that is not waterproof, you’ll want to consider another way of washing it. Velvet, suede, and silk are examples of materials that should be cleaned with an alternate method.
2. Next, strip the couch of any removable coverings if there are any. These you can wash in a washing machine or however you do your laundry.
2. Vacuum the couch to remove any loose dirt, dust, or hair.
3. Fill the pressure washer detergent tank with water and add a small amount of baking soda, vinegar, or dish soap (one of the three) . You want to avoid mixing vinegar with baking soda or dish soap as they will likely neutralize each other. Here’s a bit more on how to pressure wash with baking soda & vinegar
A good formula recipe for dish soap in a pressure washer is one tablespoon per quart of water.
4. Set the pressure washer to its lowest setting and hold the pressure washer nozzle about a foot away from the couch.
5. Slowly move the nozzle over the couch in a back and forth motion, being careful not to press too hard or stay in one spot for too long.
Inspect the fabric on the couch every so often to make sure you’re not damaging it.
6. Rinse the couch with clean water once you’re finished pressure washing it. There should be a rinse setting or tip you can use. This setting should make sure detergent is no longer being injected into the flow of water from the pressure washer.
7. Soak as much moisture up with the towels as you can, then let the couch air dry completely before putting fresh sheets on it.
That’s all there is to it!
Pressure washing your couch is a great way to remove grimy build up that a couch accumulates over time.
Don’t forget! Use the lowest setting on your pressure washer and hold the nozzle a couple feet away from the couch while you’re cleaning it.
If your pressure washer has a variety of nozzle attachments, start with one that has a wide angle output. This will ensure you don’t damage the fabric of your couch in the pressure washing process.
Pressure Washing a Couch: Choosing the right pressure washer
Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes and styles, each designed for specific cleaning tasks. The two most important factors to consider when choosing a pressure washer are the unit’s power and the type of nozzle attachment.
More powerful pressure washers can clean tougher stains on a sofa or couch, but they may also damage delicate surfaces. Therefore, it is important to select a unit that has enough power to handle the cleaning job at hand without damaging the fabric.
Additionally, different nozzle attachments can be used to change the stream of water. This can be helpful when cleaning different varieties of fabric.
For example, a wide-angle nozzle can be used to clean large areas quickly, while a narrow-angle nozzle can be used to remove stubborn stains. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right pressure washer for any cleaning job.
If you’d like to read more about pressure washers in general for cleaning, check out our article the best pressure washers a for foam cannon car wash
Using Baking Soda & Vinegar to Clean Your Mattress
Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most versatile cleaning agents around. They can be used to clean everything from fabric to patios, and they’re both environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive. But what makes these two ingredients so effective at cleaning?
Baking soda is a naturally occurring compound that is mildly abrasive. In other words, it can help to loosen dirt and grime, which makes it easier to remove. Vinegar, on the other hand, is a weak acid that actually breaks down dirt and grime. Combined, these two ingredients are incredibly effective at cleaning.
One of the best things about using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning is that they are gentle enough to use on a wide range of surfaces. You don’t have to worry about damaging delicate materials.
Like the fabric on your couch!
Best of all, you can feel good about using them without causing any negative environmental side effects. They’re good for the planet!
How to Dry Your Sofa after Pressure Washing It
Drying your couch can be tricky and time consuming so be sure you’ve made other sitting and lounging arrangements before you spray it down with a pressure washer.
One effective technique for drying your couch is by using a hairdryer. Set the hairdryer to its lowest setting and hold it about six inches away from the couch. Pass the hairdryer around the couch so that you evenly distribute the heat. You may need to repeat the process a few times to wick away most of the moisture.
Once the couch is dry, you can spruce it up by running your hands over it or by using a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment. You might even consider spraying some Febreeze or other fabric scent enhancers if you notice any unwanted lingering scents.
You can also air or sun dry your couch if you have a little more time.
Air drying involves placing the couch in a well-ventilated area, such as a garage or shed, for several days. This will allow the moisture to evaporate from the couch.
Sun drying involves placing the couch in direct sunlight. The heat of the sun will help to speed up the evaporation process.
If you elect to sun or air dry your mattress outside, be sure you check the weather to make sure there’s no rain on the horizon. Also be aware of wind and dust. Remember your couch is still damp and the dust will stick to it, rendering a lot of the work you put into pressure washing it obsolete.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to dry your couch thoroughly before using it again. Moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.
Related Content: How to Winterize a Pressure Washer
A Useful Video on Pressure Washing a Couch
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Pressure washing a couch is a great way to clean it without damaging the fabric. Just be sure to choose the right pressure washer and use the appropriate nozzle attachment to avoid damaging the couch’s fabric.
You can also use baking soda and vinegar to clean your couch, both effective and environmentally friendly cleaning agents.
Also be sure to dry your couch thoroughly after pressure washing it.