Couches get gross, especially if you snack on them or dared to buy white. Kids and pets only make it worse. But don't worry—you can have nice things. Swipe for the best ways to deep clean your sofa.

Put on a pair of rubber gloves and run your hands over the cushions to lift pet hair. The friction between the glove and couch cushion fabric creates static energy that causes the hair to stick to the glove.

Photography: Amazon

Next, using the upholstery tool that came with your vacuum, thoroughly vacuum the all sides of the sofa cushions. Take the cushions off the couch and vacuum underneath and behind them, too.

Photography: Amazon

Search the cushions for any tags that might offer cleaning guidance. If you find a tag, it might use abbreviations for the cleaning advice. "W", for example, means you should use water-based detergent. "S" means use a dry cleaning solvent. "WS" usually means water based or dry cleaning solvent is ok. "X" typically means that professional cleaning is recommended, though you can still vacuum the cushions.

Whenever you use a new cleaner on a couch cushion, you’ll want to test it on an inconspicuous place before going all in, so you’ll know whether or not it will damage the fabric.

Spot clean small stains. You can use an upholstery cleaner or something as simple as diluted dish soap—as long as it adheres to the recommendations you found on the fabric tag. Dip a light colored rag into your mixture and rub the spot gently till it lifts out. Then use a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.

If your couch cushions are quite dirty, and spot cleaning won’t do the trick, you may need to remove the slipcovers and wash them by hand. Fill a bathtub with water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent. Submerge the covers and swish them gently in the soapy water. You can also clean the cushions themselves in the same manner.

If your couch cushions are not removable, you may have to rent an upholstery cleaning machine. You’ll want to perform the spot test as mentioned earlier, and then follow the machine’s instructions.

Let everything air-dry thoroughly before putting your sofa back together and sitting on it. Be sure to take steps to prevent pets from jumping up on the couch or cushions while they dry.