Importance of Professional Upholstery Cleaning
Professional upholstery cleaning services are of utmost importance when it comes to maintaining the cleanliness and longevity of your furniture. Regular cleaning, performed by trained professionals, not only helps protect your upholstered furniture but also offers several benefits that enhance the overall experience of your family.
Firstly, professional upholstery cleaning plays a key role in extending the lifespan of your furniture. Dust, dirt, and other particles can accumulate deep within the fabric and fibers of your upholstery, causing them to deteriorate over time. Regular cleaning removes these contaminants, preventing them from damaging the material and thus increasing the lifespan of your furniture.
Additionally, proper cleaning also ensures that your furniture remains in pristine condition, creating a more enjoyable environment for your family. Regularly cleaned upholstery enhances the appearance of your home, making it more inviting and pleasing to the eye. Clean furniture also provides a healthier living space for your loved ones by eliminating allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and bacteria that can cause respiratory issues and allergies.
But how, then, do you choose the right upholstery cleaning service for your home? We’ve pulled together a list of important things you should know when hiring upholstery cleaning services.
Understanding the Different Types of Upholstery
You are already aware that there are over a dozen different types of fabric that can be used on your furniture. From linen and microfiber to wool, satin, leather, silk, brocade, and velvet. You name it, the possibilities are truly endless. That said, understanding the different types of fabric will help you choose the best method for your furniture. We’ve pulled a list of the most common types of upholstery fabric and provided a quick look at what most manufacturers recommend to clean them.
We’ve discussed this before in a previous article, but it’s worth mentioning again. Every piece of furniture has a tag with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method. This tag will have one of a few different codes.
W: Water-based cleaning (steam cleaning)
S: Solvent-based cleaning (dry cleaning)
WS: Both water and solvent-based cleaning agents (either steam cleaning or dry cleaning)
X: Vacuum only (typically for delicate fabrics, or fabric that is prone to shrinking)
| Fabric Type | Description | Tag Label |
| Cotton | Breathable, comfortable, and versatile, but can wear out over time. | WS |
| Linen | Natural fiber is known for its cool, smooth texture, though it wrinkles and stains easily. | WS |
| Wool | Durable and warm, resistant to pilling, soiling, and fading, but can be scratchy and expensive. | WS |
| Silk | Luxurious and soft with a high sheen, but delicate and requires professional cleaning. | S |
| Polyester | Synthetic fiber that’s durable, easy to clean, and resistant to fading and wrinkling. | W |
| Nylon | Known for its resilience, nylon blends are often used to reduce the pilling of other fabrics. | W |
| Acrylic | Designed to mimic wool, it’s warm and resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. | W |
| Olefin | Synthetic fiber that’s durable, fade-resistant, and easy to clean, often used for outdoor fabrics. | W |
| Leather | Durable and easy to clean, leather ages well, offering a unique patina over time, but it can be expensive. | S |
| Faux Leather | Offers the look of leather with increased durability and easier maintenance, often more affordable. | WS |
| Velvet | Soft and luxurious with a deep pile, but can be difficult to maintain and may require professional cleaning. | S for silk velvet W for synthetic velvet |
| Chenille | Soft and cozy, great for a comfortable feel, but may not be as durable as other fabrics. | W or S, depending on the blend |
| Microfiber | Made of tightly woven synthetic fibers, offering durability and ease of cleaning, often used for pet-friendly furniture. | W |
| Suede | Soft, luxurious feel, but requires more maintenance and is prone to staining. | S |
| Rayon | A versatile fiber that imitates cotton, silk, and linen, though it can wrinkle and stretch. | S or X |
| Viscose: | Similar to rayon, it offers a silky feel and sheen, but is prone to shrinking and requires careful cleaning. | S or X |
| Sunbrella | A durable, fade-resistant fabric made for outdoor furniture, resistant to weather conditions. | W |
| Tweed | A woolen fabric that’s durable and resistant to pilling, with a distinctive, textured appearance. | S |
| Damask | A woven fabric featuring patterns and designs, traditionally made from silk but now available in various fibers. | S or X, depending on the blend |
| Brocade | Similar to damask, brocade is a decorative, woven fabric often featuring raised designs. | S or X, depending on the blend |
| Jacquard | Woven fabric with intricate patterns, made on a special loom to create texture and depth. | S or X, depending on the blend |
The Process of Upholstery Cleaning: What Kind of Upholstery Cleaning Service Do You Need?
Now that you’ve had a moment to review the various types of upholstery fabric, you can start to determine what type of cleaning technique would be best. In some cases, you have the choice between solvent-based cleaning or dry cleaning, and water-based cleaning, steam cleaning, or hot water extraction. What are the differences then between the two processes?
Dry Cleaning Methods for Upholstery Cleaning
Dry cleaning is just that: a dry, solvent-based cleaning. The solvent is applied to the surface of the fabric, and then gently agitated. Chemical cleaning is a commonly used technique in which specialized cleaning products are applied to the upholstery fabric. These chemicals help to break down and loosen the dirt and stains for easier removal. After the chemicals have been applied, they are typically agitated using a brush or sponge to ensure maximum penetration and effectiveness.
Upholstery Cleaning with Steam Cleaning
Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is another popular method utilized in upholstery cleaning. This technique involves using a machine that sprays hot water onto the upholstery fabric while simultaneously extracting the dirt and moisture. Our professional cleaning process always begins with the application of an eco-friendly cleaning solution, prior to the steam cleaning. The combination of heat, suction, and the pre-treatment formula helps to deep-clean the upholstery, removing stubborn stains and killing bacteria and allergens.
Should you use DIY Methods?
You might consider DIY methods in some cases, especially if you already have some cleaning supplies on hand. This is perfectly acceptable but we recommend doing a lot of research before trying anything on your upholstery. Test your mixture on a small hidden patch of fabric before tackling the stain. Some solutions, like peroxide, “clean” stains by lifting the color from whatever the spill came from. In many cases, the peroxide will also lift the original color from the fabric.
We have several articles written to help you handle spills and accidents on upholstery. We recommend checking them out, but the same warnings apply. Not all fabrics are the same or carry the same level of durability. Proceed with caution!
You Need Professional Upholstery Cleaning Services. Now What?
We’ve already walked you through some of the most important things to consider before you even start looking for professional upholstery cleaning services like the types of cleaning, and what is most appropriate to provide an effective cleaning. So then, what’s next?
When it comes to keeping your upholstery clean and well-maintained, professional upholstery cleaning services are essential. Regular cleaning can help prolong the life of your furniture, remove stains, and eliminate unpleasant odors. However, with numerous cleaning companies available, it can be overwhelming to know what steps to take next.
We’ll walk you through the important considerations and actions you should take when you find yourself in need of a professional upholstery cleaner. This includes doing the research to find a few companies in your area, checking their reviews and social media, and finally making the phone call to ask whatever lingering questions you may have (like cost!).
Do Some Research
Using this guide, you have a pretty comprehensive understanding of the different types of upholstery fabrics and how they should be cleaned. By understanding the specific needs and characteristics of different fabrics, you can have a more in-depth conversation with the upholstery cleaning service you chose. You’ll be able to give the professional cleaners a wonderful understanding of what they’ll be working with so they can come prepared to implement a tailored cleaning approach to ensure the best results.
So, you’ve done a quick search for “upholstery cleaning services near me,” and several options popped up (hopefully one of them was JP Carpet Cleaning Expert Floor Care!). Some of the options are local, some are national companies, some have hundreds of reviews, and some have just a few. Check their websites, and see their galleries. Do they provide the results you’re looking for?
Check Their Reviews
It can be overwhelming for sure, so start with the basics. Small, local business, or a national company? We know our choice, but there are pros and cons to both. A small business relies on your phone call, they likely will do a little bit more for you as one of their precious clients over the national company that has a commercial on television. Not always, but that’s where reviews come in. Check their reviews but be objective, and check to see how the company responds. Do they thank the happy clients? Argue or confront unhappy clients?
You can a lot about a company by the way they respond to any kind of review. This is part of the quality of service they provide, from making the cleaning appointment to the review response, excellent customer service is a big positive.
Do They Have Social Media?
You want a company you feel comfortable with. Once you have a list of three or four companies you are seriously considering, try checking out their socials. Are they active? Do they respond to comments or share stories about their processes? This may not be a driving factor in your decision, but it can be helpful to get an idea of the company’s culture.
The All-Important Question: How Much?
To ensure you’re getting a fair price and an accurate quote, have as much information available as you can about your furniture. Are there any tough stains you need to manage? Do you know the types of stains you have? These will affect the cleaning process and in turn, the price.
Note that most upholstery cleaning services will not publish their prices online. If you read our previous article about how to estimate the cost of carpet cleaning, you understand how much goes into determining the appropriate price. Everything from the type of fabric to specific spots and stains may affect the pricing. Click here to learn more about the cost of upholstery cleaning.
Here’s the blog post about the cost of carpet cleaning in Sherman Oaks, CA. Though we specify Sherman Oaks since that’s where we are located and the area we’re most familiar with, the same methods of estimating apply to the entire industry. Carpet cleaning services come part and parcel as only one of the services an experienced professional cleaning service might offer.
Make The Call, What’s Your Gut Feel?
That said, the company should be able to tell you how they charge and what fees are involved. This may require a phone call, but this is your turn to ask all of your questions. Does the representative on the phone answer each question sufficiently? Do you feel like they’ve given you the answers you need? Are they licensed, bonded, and insured? When you asked about pricing, did they explain what goes into their charges?
Summing Up
There is a lot of thought that goes into any and every decision, including your upholstery cleaning services. Aside from finding the right company, you want to make sure you are getting the right company for what your actual upholstery cleaning needs are. We provided you with a lot of things to consider when determining your upholstery cleaning company of choice, so you can make an informed decision. Here’s that list, one more time:
- What kind of upholstery cleaning method do you need?
- Are you comfortable with DIY methods, or do you need professional cleaning?
- Do you want to go with a small local business or a large national company?
- Do you like the quality of their work from the photos they’ve shared on their website or on social media?
- How do they respond to reviews, both positive, negative, and middling?
- Are they active on socials? Do you like their company culture?
- Are they willing to tell you about their price structure?
- Do they answer your questions sufficiently?
- Licensed, bonded, and insured?
- Do you feel comfortable with your choice?
One last thing to note, and this might be the most important thing to consider, even if you schedule the service if they arrive at your home and you feel uncomfortable for any reason, you can ask the team to leave. It is your home and your money. Bait and switch methods, or uncomfortable personalities can be very uncomfortable. Some companies may ask for a service fee if you turn them away, but it’s a small price to pay for your peace of mind.
Looking for the Best Upholstery Cleaning Services in Los Angeles
When looking for the best upholstery cleaning services in Los Angeles, it’s crucial to choose a provider that not only has a strong reputation but also possesses specific expertise in handling a variety of fabric types. The ideal service provider should offer a range of cleaning methods, from steam cleaning to dry cleaning, tailored to your furniture’s needs.
Check for customer reviews online and look for before-and-after photos to assess their effectiveness. Additionally, ensure that the company has insurance coverage and liability insurance, providing peace of mind in the care and handling of your valuable furnishings.
Local companies like JP Carpet Cleaning Expert Floor Care stand out for their personalized service and deep understanding of the unique needs of Los Angeles residents, making them a top choice for those demanding the highest standards in upholstery care.
