How to Clean a Sofa Bed: Water-Only Fabrics, Pet Hair, Spills and the Mattress
A sofa bed works harder than any other piece of furniture in the house. It is sat on all day, slept on at night, and in many homes it is also where the dog sleeps and the toddler eats toast. So the question is fair: how do you keep it clean? This guide explains how to clean a sofa bed from Sofa Bed Expert (sofabedexpert.co.uk), why our fabrics are designed to be cleaned with water alone, and the three accessories that stop most dirt reaching the fabric in the first place.
Short version: every Sofa Bed Expert fabric is an easy-clean fabric. For most spills, blot with a clean cloth and lukewarm water. No chemicals, no upholstery shampoo, no professional cleaner.
Key takeaways
- All our fabrics are designed to be cleaned with water only. You do not need chemical cleaners to keep the sofa bed looking new.
- Hydro Chenille (Liberto) and Marble Velvet (Zoya) use H2O Clean technology: most stains lift with a damp cloth.
- Hydro Suede (Gusto) is water-repellent and pet-friendly; Hydro Weave (Urban) is water-blocked, so spills sit on the surface and wipe away.
- Act fast and blot, never rub. Rubbing pushes a stain into the weave.
- Made-to-measure arm and seat protection covers in the same fabric take the wear instead of the sofa, and a fitted sheet keeps the mattress fresh.
Why our fabrics only need water
Most sofa fabrics absorb liquid, so a spilt coffee soaks into the fibres and the only way out is a chemical cleaner. Our fabrics are chosen specifically for busy British homes and treated so that liquid either beads on the surface or lifts back out with water. That is what "easy clean" means in practice: a damp cloth, not a bottle of shampoo. As our care page puts it, there is no need to use any chemical substances to keep your sofa looking as new for longer.
How to clean each fabric
The method is the same across the range, but it helps to know what your fabric does with liquid.
| Fabric | What it is | How it handles spills | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro Chenille (Liberto) | Soft micro chenille | H2O Clean: stains removed with water only, no chemicals | Families who want a soft, cosy feel |
| Hydro Suede (Gusto) | Suede-look microfibre, synthetic nubuck | Water-repellent and stain-resistant | Pet owners, everyday use |
| Hydro Weave (Urban) | Water-blocked woven fabric | Liquid stays on the surface, wipe away in seconds | Spill-prone homes, children |
| Marble Velvet (Zoya) | Easy-clean velvet | H2O Clean; pet hair and dirt come off with minimal effort | Pet owners who want velvet |
| Royal Weave | Classic tough weave | Durable, easy to maintain | Hard-wearing everyday use |
You can feel all of them at home before you choose: individual fabric samples are free, and full swatch books for each range are £10.
Fresh spills: the 60-second method
- Blot immediately with a clean, dry, white cloth or kitchen paper. Press, do not rub.
- Dampen a cloth with lukewarm water and blot the area from the outside of the stain inwards.
- Repeat with a fresh part of the cloth until nothing more transfers.
- Leave to air dry. Do not use a hairdryer or heater, which can set a mark.
Dried-on marks
Dampen the mark with water and give it a minute to soften, then blot as above. On Hydro Suede, lightly brush the nap in one direction once dry to restore the finish. On Marble Velvet, a soft brush in the pile direction does the same job.
Pet hair
Marble Velvet and Hydro Suede release hair easily. A slightly damp hand or a rubber glove wiped across the fabric gathers it into clumps you can lift off, and the vacuum upholstery brush deals with the rest.
What not to do: no bleach, no solvent cleaners, no steam cleaners and no soaking the cushion. Water and a cloth is the whole method. If a mark will not shift, call us on 0800 368 8914 before trying anything stronger.
Cleaning the mattress and the bed side
The sleeping surface inside a sofa bed is a pocket sprung mattress on a sprung frame. The simplest way to keep it fresh is to never sleep directly on it. Our fitted sheets are made to the exact size of each Sofa Bed Expert model, in 100% breathable cotton, white or grey, from £22. They wash at home like any bed sheet, and the mattress underneath stays clean. Open the bed every few weeks to air the mattress and vacuum the storage compartment if your model has one.
Stop the dirt before it starts: protection covers
Armrests are the most touched, most scratched part of any sofa. Our Arm & Seat Protection Covers are made to measure for each Sofa Bed Expert model from the identical fabric as your sofa bed, so they are practically invisible, and they take the daily wear instead of the upholstery. They lift off for cleaning or replacement. They are especially useful in homes with cats, where the arms take the scratching, and in rental properties or sofa beds used every night. Prices run from £85 for arms only to £175 for arms and seats.
For the arm you rest a drink on, the solid oak Wooden Flexible Armrest (£59, natural oak or dark walnut) turns the armrest into a stable surface and keeps rings and spills off the fabric altogether.
A simple care routine
- Weekly: vacuum with the upholstery brush, including under the seat cushions. Plump the silicone fibre-filled cushions.
- Monthly: open the bed, air the mattress, wash the fitted sheet.
- As needed: blot spills with water straight away.
- Yearly: check the mechanism opens smoothly and nothing has worked loose in the storage compartments.
"Fantastic sofa, super comfortable for both sitting and sleeping. Amazing selection of colours and fabrics. Prompt, efficient, and friendly delivery."
Bradley T., verified customer review
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean a sofa bed fabric?
For Sofa Bed Expert fabrics, blot the spill immediately with a dry cloth, then blot with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water, working from the outside of the mark inwards, and leave to air dry. All our fabrics are designed to be cleaned with water only, without chemical cleaners.
Which sofa bed fabric is easiest to clean?
Hydro Weave (Urban) is water-blocked, so spills stay on the surface and wipe away in seconds. Hydro Chenille (Liberto) and Marble Velvet (Zoya) use H2O Clean technology so most stains lift with water alone, and Hydro Suede (Gusto) is water-repellent and stain-resistant.
What is the best sofa bed fabric for dogs and cats?
Hydro Suede and Marble Velvet are both designed with pets in mind: they resist claws and release hair easily. Adding made-to-measure arm protection covers in the same fabric protects the armrests, which cats scratch most.
Can I use upholstery shampoo or a steam cleaner on my sofa bed?
It is not necessary and we do not recommend it. Sofa Bed Expert fabrics are designed for water-only cleaning. Avoid bleach, solvents, steam cleaners and soaking the cushions. If a mark will not shift with water, contact us before trying anything stronger.
How do I keep the sofa bed mattress clean?
Use a fitted sheet made for your model. Sofa Bed Expert fitted sheets are 100% cotton, cut to the exact sleeping area of each sofa bed, and wash at home. Air the mattress by opening the bed every few weeks.
Are the protection covers the same colour as the sofa bed?
Yes. Arm and seat protection covers are made from the identical fabric and colour as your Sofa Bed Expert sofa bed, so they blend in. They are removable for cleaning and cost from £85 for arms only to £175 for arms and seats.
Can I get a fabric sample before I buy?
Yes. Individual fabric samples are free from sofabedexpert.co.uk, and full swatch books for the Hydro Suede, Hydro Chenille, Hydro Weave and Marble Velvet ranges are £10 each.
Are Sofa Bed Expert fabrics fire retardant?
Yes. Our fabrics carry a fire-retardant treatment in line with UK furniture safety requirements, alongside being breathable for sleeping and stain-resistant for everyday use.
The bottom line
Keeping a sofa bed clean should not mean a shelf of chemicals. Choose a fabric built for it, blot spills with water, put a fitted sheet on the mattress and let protection covers take the wear on the arms. Do that and a sofa bed that is slept on every night still looks new years later.
Fabrics made for real life
Water-only cleaning, pet-friendly options and free samples so you can test them at home before you decide.
Order free fabric samples → See protection covers →Related reading: Sofa bed fabric guide: what to look for · Pet friendly fabrics · Accessories
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