How to make an old sofa look new again before Diwali without spending money

Home cleaning begins as Diwali nears, but daily use and dust often leave a sofa looking dull. An old, grimy sofa spoils the look of the entire living room. There is no need to spend thousands of rupees on a new one: a few simple steps can make the old sofa look fresh and attractive again.

Start by removing dust and debris. Use a vacuum cleaner to clear dust and small particles from the corners and from under the cushions. If there is no vacuum cleaner at home, dust the sofa gently with a soft brush.

Every sofa has a different fabric, so the cleaning should suit it. Wipe a fabric sofa with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water mixed with a little liquid soap. Wipe a leather sofa with a slightly damp cloth and then apply leather conditioner. A velvet sofa should be cleaned gently with a dry or soft brush so that the texture of the fabric is not damaged.

If tea, coffee or food has stained the sofa, sprinkle baking soda on it and wipe it off with a damp cloth after a while. Instead of rubbing the stain, press gently to soak up the excess liquid so that the stain does not spread.

A damp home or daily use often gives a sofa a musty smell. To remove it, sprinkle a little baking soda on the sofa, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and then vacuum it off. The sofa will feel completely fresh.

Cushions and covers can also be changed for a new look. If the cushion covers are removable, wash them well and let them dry. For a new look on a budget, use new cushion covers in deep or festive colours.

Finally, once cleaning and decoration are done, arrange an attractive throw and matching cushions neatly on the sofa. This will enhance the living room and make the old sofa look brand new.