How to clean a sofa bed: simple tips to spruce it up

Sofa beds have their work cut out for them — serving as your comfy couch by day and a snooze zone by night. With all that hard yakka, it’s no wonder they occasionally need a good tidy-up. Whether you’ve got a trusty old rig or a fresh new mattress built into your frame, knowing how to clean a sofa bed is a skill worth having in your back pocket.

Lucky for you, you’ve come to the home of comfort. And Koala knows more than a thing or two about keeping your sofa bed in tip-top shape.

From everyday messes to accidental spills and the occasional coffee catastrophe, this guide covers essential cleaning methods that’ll help you do more than just fluff cushions. 

We’ll show you how to tackle stubborn stains, when you need a deeper clean, and the best ways to care for every part of your setup — from fabric to foam.

Couch Cleaning: The Basics

As the Transformers of the furniture world, sofa beds work their bums off — keeping you comfy during the day and offering a sleep spot by night.

And as a constant source of relief, the one thing they ask in return is a little bit of love and upkeep. Whether it’s a well-loved classic or a brand new sofa, here’s how to stay on top of the couch cleaning process:  

✅ Vacuum it. Regularly. Don’t just phone it in. Attach the right nozzle on your vacuum cleaner — the one made for upholstery — and give it the attention it deserves. It’ll help remove dust, pet dander, crumbs, and whatever else snuck its way between your cushions. 

✅ Clean as you go. Spilled something on the sofa bed? The quicker you spot-clean sweat stains, urine stains, or food spills, the easier it’ll be to get rid of them. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

✅Protect it. Just like you’d pop a mattress protector and some sheets on your bed, do the same when your sofa’s in sleep mode. Considering the mixed bag of cousins, mates, and drop-ins who’ll be crashing on it (no offence, Uncle Dazza), protection is a no-brainer.

Top Tips for Sofa Bed Maintenance

You’ve got the basics on how to clean a sofa bed. Now, onto the serious stuff.

Whether your sofa bed has all kinds of mechanics or is simple and soft, these lovely 2-4-1 hunks of furniture need a few key things to keep operating smoothly in your living space.

✅ As fun as it sounds, try to avoid jumping on the sofa bed. The mattress, cushions, and springs aren’t designed for trampolining and can get damaged easily. Play it safe and leave the backflips to the professionals. 

✅ Fur and claws? Not ideal. Pet stains, scratches, and hair build-up aren’t a good mix with a sofa bed. When possible, keep your four-legged friends off the fabric – or at least put a cover down.

✅ Don’t be tempted to sit on the arms of the sofa, even if they have those fancy cushioned ones. 

✅ If your sofa bed has mechanical parts and something breaks, leave it to professional cleaners or a furniture expert. DIY repairs might make things worse (or void a warranty).

✅ Let your sofa bed breathe. Avoid placing it too close to fireplaces, air-con units, or windows with direct sunlight — and steer clear of damp areas to prevent mould growth. If you’ve used a cleaning solution and damp cloth for spot cleaning, make sure to air dry the area completely before putting cushions or fabrics back in place.

✅ Got a spill? Act fast to prevent water stains and discolouration. For surface mess, spot test your cleaning solution first and skip the harsh chemicals. Use a damp cloth with warm water for fresh spills, or mix up a little baking soda with cold water to tackle tough stains. For a deeper clean, consider steam cleaning now and then to keep things looking fresh without ruining the fabric.

✅ Pilling is common with lots of sofa bed fabrics. An automatic pilling remover can help remove fluffy spots without serious damage.

A Quick Q+A on Sofa Bed Love

Still trying to figure out how to take care of your sofa bed? That’s okay. We won’t judge. Instead, these common questions will give you a crash course on looking after your new favourite piece of furniture.

Can you leave sheets on a sofa bed?

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Once folded up, the mattress can stretch the sheets and ruin them. But if you’re desperate for space (hello, all of us), the Stunner Sofa Bed has built-in storage.

What sheets go on a sofa bed?

That depends on the size of the mattress on your sofa bed. Some quick measurements should guide you towards the right sheet size. Koala’s sofa beds match our sheets, so it’s easy to pick a double or queen to suit.

How do you even do it?

Mastering how to put sheets on a sofa bed is easier than folding them. With the right size, a fitted sheet should slide over the edges and stay put throughout the night — just like a mattress.

What’s the best sofa bed fabric?

The goal is to meet in the middle of soft and rugged (think Tom Hardy in fabric form). Easy-to-clean sofa fabrics — like Koala’s 88% polyester and 12% nylon soft-touch fabric — mean less scrubbing and more snoozing.

Koala’s Sofa Beds: Autobots, Assemble

Although these transformable sofas do a lot, we don’t want you spending thousands replacing them every few years. 

That’s why we design our stuff to last longer and feel comfier. Our sofa beds are made without heavy hydraulics or clunky mechanics. This means you don’t need a toolkit to maintain our sofa beds. And they’re perfectly sized for kids and adults to enjoy. 

Everything from the durable fabric to the sit-to-sleep simplicity was made with the average Aussie in mind. With three Koala sofa beds, there’s something out there for every bum. Check them out: 

💤 Cushy Sofa Bed. She’s a winner (literally). Our customer favourite and highly rated offering, the Cushy Sofa Bed, has a super-fast fold-out, cushioned armrests and a small footprint. 

💤 Koala Sofa Bed. Made with exclusive fabric for easy cleaning and durability, the Koala Sofa Bed is comfy as sin, with a mixture of layers built into the seat cushions for your pleasure. 

💤 Stunner Sofa Bed. Integrated storage, simple three-step conversion, elevated sleep position, steel frame and small footprint? Stunning. The Stunner Sofa Bed is for those who take relaxation seriously. 

Our amazing sofa beds are covered with a five-year warranty for your peace of mind. And you can try them at home for 120 nights to get an authentic experience. If you don’t love your new sofa bed within that time, return for a refund of the purchase price.

Say Thanks to Your Sofa Bed

Learning how to clean a sofa bed is an adult skill we never thought we’d need, but we have it now. So with your newfound knowledge and a crash course on why sofa beds are so good, shop Koala’s range, and try one for yourself.