Are upholstery cleaners worth it?

Author: Lora Mitchell  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

If you frequently deal with spills, stains, pet accidents, and kid messes, an upholstery cleaner can help you keep your upholstered furniture clean between professional cleanings. Regularly cleaning your upholstery prolongs the life of your furniture and helps it look better for longer, too.

Do upholstery cleaners really work?

Accidental spills and pet messes are a part of life, but an upholstery cleaner can go a long way to lift stains and remove odors. "Anyone who has issues with spills, pets, kids, allergies, or light-colored furniture should consider purchasing and using an upholstery cleaner," says Marla Mock.

Is it worth it to get a couch professionally cleaned?

We'll get right to the point: Yes, upholstery cleaning can make a significant difference in your furniture's appearance, hygiene, and longevity! Every day, your couches, loveseats, and sofas experience constant wear and tear from kids, pets, and guests.

Is it better to shampoo or steam clean a couch?

Here, steam cleaning holds an edge. The high temperatures can kill dust mites and bacteria, giving relief to those with sensitivities. Budget Constraints: Much like the differences between opting for interior car cleaning and a comprehensive car deep cleaning, your budget might influence your couch cleaning decision.

How much should I pay for upholstery cleaning?

The national average furniture upholstery cleaning cost is between $100 and $250. Most homeowners pay around $180 for professional dry cleaning and stain removal of a microfiber couch. At the low end of the spectrum, you will pay around $50 for having an office chair upholstery professionally steam cleaned.

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How much does Stanley Steemer charge to clean a sofa?

Upholstery cleaning cost factors

Company – Stanley Steemer upholstery cleaning costs $15 to $300 per item, depending on its size. Stain prevention – Professional stain prevention costs $20 to $100.

Why is upholstery cleaning so expensive?

Type of upholstery material: Different fabrics require different cleaning methods; delicate materials like silk or velvet may incur higher costs due to the specialized care needed. Size and number of furniture items: Larger pieces and a higher quantity of items will naturally increase the price.

How to professionally clean a couch?

Generally, professionals follow the following steps when cleaning couches and other upholstery:
  1. Check the Couch's Fabric and Do a Colorfast Test. ...
  2. Vacuum Couch Thoroughly: ...
  3. Apply a Pre-Treatment and Agitate: ...
  4. Pre-Treat Stains on the Couch: ...
  5. Clean the Couch with Care: ...
  6. Groom the Couch's Fabric Pile: ...
  7. Allow the Couch to Dry:

What are the disadvantages of steam cleaning?

Prolonged Drying Times

A soaking wet carpet takes an extremely long time to dry. Professionally steam cleaned carpets can take between 12 to 24 hours of drying time. Renting a steam cleaner with only moderate-strength suction power can leave your carpet (and floorboards) wet for up to two days.

How long does it take a couch to dry after steam cleaning?

Depending on fabric, it typically takes 4-6 hours for a steam cleaned couch to fully dry before using again.

What should not be done when cleaning upholstered furniture?

Don't Rub or Scrub: Rubbing or vigorous scrubbing forces the stain further into the upholstery fibers and can even result in wearing away the material. If you rub or scrub hard enough, it can create heat which will result in the stain chemically bonding to the material.

How long does professional couch cleaning take?

How long it takes to clean your upholstered furniture varies by the method your professional uses as well as how dirty the fabric is and how much upholstery needs to be cleaned. The average time for upholstery can range from 30-60 minutes or longer in rare cases.

What do professional couch cleaners use?

Most professional upholstery cleaning services use a process called hot water extraction. Their machine injects hot water and cleaning solution into the fibers of your upholstery to dislodge particles hiding there. Then it all gets sucked up with a powerful vacuum.

Is professional upholstery cleaning better than doing it yourself?

While DIY methods can be effective for minor stains and regular maintenance, they may not be as thorough as professional cleaning. Professional upholstery cleaners have specialized equipment and knowledge to deep clean your furniture, removing embedded dirt, allergens, and tough stains effectively.

How often should upholstery be cleaned?

You don't need to wash your couch cushions or do a deep couch clean very often. Unless you're particularly susceptible to allergens, you should only deep clean your couch once or twice a year. Between deep cleans, it's a good idea to perform quicker, surface cleanings every 3-4 weeks.

Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?

So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.

Do steam cleaners work on couches?

Steam cleaning is a very effective way to clean your couch. When you steam clean your couch, you kill a majority of the bacteria and germs which are causing your couch to emit an unpleasant odor. Steam cleaning can also remove pet dander, dust, and allergens, thus making your home a healthier environment.

What surfaces should not be steam cleaned?

Don'ts
  • Unsealed floors/surfaces. If your floor is clearly unsealed, or you suspect that it may be done improperly, then make sure you don't steam clean it. ...
  • Painted walls/surfaces. Hot steam and painted walls are a terrible mix. ...
  • Porous surfaces (eg: brick & marble) ...
  • Delicate fabrics (eg: silk & velour)

What is the best way to clean a fabric sofa?

A regular clean with baking soda can also help to remove odors from your sofa. Vinegar is another natural product that can be used on your sofa to remove stains. Make a solution that is equal parts water and white wine vinegar. Use a clean white cloth that is slightly damp and rub away the stain.

How much does it cost to get a couch cleaned?

Furniture upholstery cleaning typically costs between $120 and $232, with an average total of $174.

What does Stanley Steemer use to clean upholstery?

We use a process called hot water extraction to clean upholstery, which is often referred to as steam cleaning because of the steam you see as we clean.

Should I have my couch professionally cleaned?

Generally, it's recommended that upholstery gets professionally cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months. However, if your furniture sees heavy usage, it may be necessary to clean it more frequently.

What is the cheapest way to clean upholstery?

Homemade cleaners are cheaper and kinder to the earth. Here's how to clean a sofa, by fabric type: For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle.

Is it better to buy a new couch or reupholster?

While it will cost you money to reupholster your furniture, especially if you choose high-end fabrics or have a lot of work done, it can still save you money. This is particularly true for large pieces like sofas or sectionals, where buying new, high-quality furniture can be costly.

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