Skip to content
Home & Living Daily
Search
Our contributors

Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller writes about home improvement, interior design, cleaning, and everyday living at Home & Living Daily. He shares practical tips and simple ideas to help readers create more comfortable and functional homes.

Latest stories

Open-plan home interior with a balanced living area, natural materials, layered lighting, and a connected dining space
Living Room

Interior Design: A Practical Guide for Your Home

Learn interior design basics, from measuring a room and planning furniture to choosing lighting, color, materials, and a realistic budget.

Ethan Miller · October 10, 2026
Cohesive living and dining area with warm neutral decor, layered lighting, a textured rug, and large landscape artwork
Interior Decorating

Home Decor Ideas: Find the Right Updates for Your Space

Explore practical home decor ideas by room, budget, and style, with clear examples to help you choose what to update first.

Ethan Miller · October 9, 2026
Robot vacuum near its charging dock while a phone displays an illustrative floor map.
Smart Home

Common Robot Vacuum Problems: What to Check and How to Fix Them

Robot vacuum not charging, getting stuck, or missing spots? Find checks by symptom, practical fixes, and signs it’s time to contact support.

Ethan Miller · October 9, 2026
Woman using a smartphone to control smart home devices
Smart Home

All About Smart Homes: How to Automate Your House

To automate your house, start with a task you repeat regularly, choose compatible devices, and create a rule that handles it for you. A hallway light that turns on after dark or…

Ethan Miller · October 8, 2026
Homeowner reviewing an estimate while an installer lays luxury vinyl plank flooring
Home Improvement

LVP Installation Cost in 2026: Price per Square Foot

LVP installation typically costs $4–$9 per square foot. Compare material, labor, removal, subfloor, stair and hidden costs for your project.

Ethan Miller · October 8, 2026
Front door lock and deadbolt being installed or replaced
Home Improvement

How to Improve Home Security with Better Locks

Better locks improve home security when they address the weaknesses in your existing doors. That might mean replacing an unreliable deadbolt, strengthening its connection to the frame, upgrading a vulnerable cylinder, or…

Ethan Miller · October 2, 2026
Right Flooring
Home Improvement

How to Choose the Right Flooring for Every Room

Choose flooring by matching the material to the room’s daily demands. Kitchens need surfaces that handle spills and frequent cleaning. Bathrooms need suitable wet-area flooring and careful moisture protection. Bedrooms benefit from…

Ethan Miller · October 2, 2026
Cleaning shower enclosure glass with limescale
Cleaning & Organizing

How to Remove Hard Water Stains

To remove hard water stains, use a cleaner that dissolves mineral deposits and is safe for the surface underneath. A mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water can work on compatible…

Ethan Miller · October 2, 2026
Sofas are among the most frequently used pieces of furniture in the home. Everyday sitting and lounging, food crumbs, drink spills, and pet activity can all cause stains and odors to build up in the fabric over time. Before cleaning, the first step is to determine what methods the upholstery can safely tolerate, then decide whether spot treatment or a full cleaning is more appropriate. This guide covers the main steps involved in checking care labels, vacuuming, removing stains, using an upholstery extractor, and drying the sofa properly. How Do You Clean a Sofa? Start by Checking the Care Label First, look for the cleaning code on the sofa’s care label. This article focuses on sofas marked W or W/S, which are generally suitable for water-based cleaning methods, while keeping in mind that some materials may still shrink, discolor, or develop water marks when exposed to moisture. If you cannot find a label, look up the manufacturer’s care instructions using the brand and model number. In the example shown, the sofa did not have a visible label, so the manufacturer’s cleaning guidance was checked instead. What Should You Do If You Spill a Drink on the Sofa? If food or a drink spills on the sofa, it is best to deal with it as soon as possible. Start by using a clean, dry towel to absorb as much liquid from the surface as you can. Avoid rubbing the area back and forth, as this can spread the stain and may damage the fabric. The basic approach is to blot and absorb the liquid first, then treat whatever stain remains. How Do You Remove a Spot Stain From a Fabric Sofa? One homemade cleaning solution uses one cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol, one cup of water, and about one teaspoon of dish soap. Spray the solution onto the stained area, let it sit for one to two minutes, then gently blot the area before wiping away any remaining residue with a damp towel. After spot cleaning, place a clean, dry towel over the treated area to help absorb excess moisture. This may also help reduce marks caused by dirt or residue inside the cushion migrating back toward the surface as the fabric dries. Why Should You Vacuum Before Deep-Cleaning a Sofa? If the sofa has multiple stains, visible dust buildup, or noticeable odors, it is a good idea to vacuum it thoroughly before using any wet-cleaning method. Food crumbs, dust, and pet hair often collect underneath cushions and inside seams. Removing this dry debris first reduces the amount of dirt that needs to be handled during the wet-cleaning stage. Homes with pets may require extra attention to hair and dander. If these remain trapped inside the sofa, cleaning only the visible surface may not fully address the problem. How Do You Deep-Clean a Fabric Sofa With an Upholstery Extractor? Clean One Cushion at a Time For a full cleaning, it is usually easier to work in sections and clean one cushion at a time. Apply the cleaning solution first, let it sit for about one to two minutes, and gently work over the surface with a towel if needed. Can You Use an Enzyme Cleaner for Pet Stains and Odors? If the main issue is pet-related staining or persistent odors, an enzyme cleaner that is suitable for the upholstery can be used instead of the alcohol-based solution described above. These are two different cleaning approaches and are not meant to be mixed together. Next, use a portable upholstery extractor to spray water onto the treated area and extract the dirty water back out. Since the cleaner has already been applied during the pretreatment stage, plain water can be used in the extractor to help rinse away dirt and cleaning residue. You can watch the water and foam moving through the clear extraction head to judge whether additional rinsing may be useful. However, this is only a practical indicator. Always follow the equipment instructions and avoid repeatedly soaking the cushions just to achieve completely clear water or no visible foam. Can Sofa Cushion Covers Go in the Washing Machine? Not necessarily. Do not assume that a removable cushion cover is machine-washable simply because it has a zipper. Cushion covers can shrink, become damaged, or lose their original fit after washing. The key point is that removable does not mean machine-washable. If the manufacturer specifically states that the cover can be machine-washed, follow those instructions. If no such guidance is provided, a zipper alone should not be treated as proof that the cover is safe to wash in a machine. How Should You Dry a Sofa After Cleaning? After cleaning, reposition the cushions so that more of their surface area is exposed to moving air. A fan can also help speed up the drying process. Do not put the sofa back together until every part is completely dry. Drying time will vary depending on how much water was used, the cushion filling, and the amount of ventilation in the room. How Do You Remove Stubborn Odors From a Sofa? For cushions that still have a noticeable odor, one method is to spray them lightly with white vinegar, place them inside a large garbage bag, use a vacuum cleaner to remove some of the air from the bag, and leave the cushion sealed overnight. The next day, remove the cushion and allow it to air out and dry thoroughly. This method may help reduce odors trapped deeper inside the cushion.
Cleaning & Organizing

How to Clean a Sofa: Stain Removal, Deep Cleaning, and Odor Removal for Fabric Sofas

Sofas are among the most frequently used pieces of furniture in the home. Everyday sitting and lounging, food crumbs, drink spills, and pet activity can all cause stains and odors to build…

Ethan Miller · October 2, 2026
Homeowner measuring a shower wall with a tape measure before calculating tile quantity
Bathroom

How Much Tile Do I Need for a Shower?

Calculate shower tile for walls, floors, niches, benches, curbs, and ceilings. Convert the area into tiles and full boxes, including waste.

Ethan Miller · September 28, 2026
Scroll to Top