Is professional upholstery cleaning better than do it yourself?

Author: Sydni Hartmann  |  Last update: Thursday, April 17, 2025

While your upholstery may look clean, it can collect microscopic dirt particles and pathogens over time. Home remedies often cannot remove these invisible contaminants. However, professional upholstery cleaning gives your furniture a thorough cleaning to remove allergens, dust, dirt, stains, bacteria, and odor.

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.

Is it worth getting a sofa 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.

How much does it cost to professionally clean a couch?

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.

How much does Stanley Steemer cost to clean a couch?

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. Most companies offer an upholstery sealant after cleaning to help keep the furniture cleaner longer.

Upholstery Cleaning Hacks vs Pros

Is it worth it to steam clean a couch?

To keep upholstered furniture looking good for as long as possible, it makes sense to give it a proper clean from time to time. Steam cleaning your couch is a great option since it's very gentle on the material, but also thorough at cleaning it!

Why is Stanley Steemer so expensive?

One factor that greatly impacts the cost of a professional cleaning is the specialized equipment and products being used during the process. These tools are more advanced than your average household vacuum or floor mop—here are some ways they differ: Degree of Cleaning: Professional cleaning processes may vary (ie.

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.

What do professional cleaners use to clean sofas?

Not all professional couch cleaners clean couches the same way, but the best method is hot water extraction (also commonly called steam cleaning). At Zerorez, the process of cleaning couches is done in a fast and efficient manner, without using harsh detergents or chemicals.

How often should you get your 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. For households with pets, cleaning upholstery every six months is recommended.

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 it take a couch to dry after upholstery cleaning?

Your specific upholstery fabric will determine which cleaning method we use. While the cleaning method along with optional protector application determines the drying time, typical dry time ranges from 2-6 hours.

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.

How long does it take to professionally clean a sofa?

How long will it take to clean my carpet or sofa? An average size lounge/diner carpet (12 x 20') will take just over an hour to clean. Upholstery and leather cleaning is based on the seated area; an approximate time for a 3-seater sofa is around 1-2 hours.

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 sofa cleaning worth it?

Benefits of regular sofa cleaning

Improved air quality: Removing dust, allergens, and bacteria from your sofa can improve the air quality in your home, reducing the risk of respiratory issues. Extended lifespan: Regular cleaning helps maintain the integrity of the fabric, preventing premature wear and tear.

Can I use Dawn to clean upholstery?

For fabric upholstery, use ¼ cup of vinegar + ¾ cup of warm water. For synthetic upholstery, use ¾ cup of warm water + 1 tablespoon of gentle dish soap, like Dawn.

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 do professional cleaners clean sofas?

A: There are two main types of upholstery cleaning: steam cleaning and hot water extraction. Steam cleaning uses hot steam to loosen dirt and other debris from the fabric. Hot water extraction uses hot water and suction to remove dirt and other debris from the fabric.

How much is sofa cleaning?

A standard three-seater sofa can cost between €80 to €150 to clean. The larger the sofa or the more sections it has, such as in L-shaped sofas, the higher the cost can be due to the increased amount of fabric.

How long does sofa upholstery last?

Perhaps your sofa cushions are sagging, or the fabric is looking stained and worn? If this sounds familiar, don't worry – it's bound to happen. While the average sofa should last between 7 and 15 years, signs of wear and tear are likely to appear before then – especially if it's a well-loved sofa.

How much does it cost to dry clean a sofa slipcover?

Slipcovers. Slipcovers cost $10 to $15 on average to have dry cleaned, but in most cases, this extra service isn't even necessary. Many options are made from washing machine-safe materials like cotton, so you can simply pop them into your next laundry cycle and forget about the rest.

How long does Stanley Steemer take per room?

How long will it take to clean my carpets? On average, it will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes per room. This time can vary greatly depending on the amount of furniture to be moved, how soiled the carpet is, and any necessary spot removal treatments.

Does Stanley Steemer give free estimates?

To start, we always provide a free on-site estimate to evaluate the scale and needs of your store. This allows us to give the most accurate quote with no obligation to you. If you're looking to schedule an estimate, you can contact us 24/7 by phone at 1-800-STEEMER to coordinate a date to meet at your storefront.

Does Stanley Steemer really use steam?

At Stanley Steemer we do not use steam to clean.

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