If your furnishings are starting to dull, it might be time to call in a professional upholstery cleaner. While DIY upholstery cleaning and quick vacuum sessions might seem helpful in the short term, they can’t match the deep clean and expert care that an upholstery cleaning professional can provide.
From eliminating stubborn stains to preserving delicate fabrics, professional upholstery cleaning helps extend the life of your furniture and maintain the overall look and feel of your home. But with so many companies offering upholstery cleaning services, how do you know which one to trust?
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to identify a fabric cleaning expert who:
- Has a comprehensive understanding of different textiles
- Uses safe and effective techniques
- Offers follow-up services for lasting results
Whether you’re searching for the best upholstery cleaning service in your area or looking for a long-term professional furniture cleaner to keep your high-end pieces in top shape, you’ll learn how to make an informed decision.
In this guide, we will cover what the best couches for dogs and cats are that can hold up to the constant wear pets cause. You’ll learn about the best sofa fabric for dogs, and how pet friendly couches and other furnishings can still be beautiful!
If you’re already thinking about stain protection, cleaning routines or what the best vacuum for pet hair is, check out our previous posts to help you maneuver life with pets and nice furnishings.
How often should you hire an Upholstery cleaning professional?
Upholstered furnishings accumulate more dirt, oils and allergens than you may realize— especially in high-use areas. How often you should call in a professional upholstery cleaner depends on a few factors:
Frequency of Use
Sofas, armchairs and dining chairs used daily will generally require more frequent cleaning. For households with larger families or frequent guests, scheduling upholstery cleaning services every 6 to 12 months is recommended to keep your furnishings in tip-top shape.
Pet-Friendly Household
Most pet owners know that routine cleaning is even more essential with furry friends in the home. Pet hair, pet oils and the occasional muddy paw print can tarnish the appearance of your fabrics. We recommend pet owners hire an upholstery cleaning professional every 3 to 6 months to keep furnishings fresh and clean— those pet oils go far beneath the surface of your furniture!
Fabric Type
Different cleaning methods are required for different types of fabric. Delicate textiles such as velvet or rayon fabric require more specialized care than just basic one-size-fits-all cleaning methods. This makes it especially important to hire a professional upholstery cleaner who understands how to clean effectively without damaging the fibers or overworking them. More durable fabrics, such as mohair or polyester, can handle longer intervals between professional cleanings, but we recommend yearly services at minimum to increase the longevity of your furnishings.
Staining
As hard as you may try to schedule your services ahead of time— spills and stains can always get in the way. Whether it’s a pet accident or a red wine spill, calling the best upholstery cleaner as soon as possible is your best bet to prevent the stains from becoming permanent.
pro tip: In between professional cleanings, consider using a DIY upholstery cleaner, such as the Fabric Care Kit provided to Fiber-Seal clients, for touch-ups and routine maintenance. BUT REMEMBER: no matter which product you use, always test in an inconspicuous area and looks for color changes before using!
why hire a professional uypholstery cleaner instead of doing it yourself?
Fabric Expertise
Different cleaning techniques are required for different fabric types. A professional upholstery cleaner understands the fiber makeup and care requirements of fabrics from delicate rayon fabric to performance blends. Using the wrong products or methods can result in discoloration, fiber distortion, or worse— permanent damage.
Professional Cleaning Equipment
Home vacuums are no match for the powerful cleaning equipment used by upholstery cleaning professionals. These tools penetrate deep into the fabric to remove embedded dirt, allergens and oils. DIY methods often only clean the surface of the fabric, leaving deeper soiling untouched.
Time & Convenience
If you’ve ever tried cleaning upholstery yourself, you know what a time-consuming task it can be. Hiring a professional upholstery cleaner saves you time and ensures a better end result. They will handle everything from an initial fabric assessment to post-cleaning treatments, so you can quickly get back to enjoying your fresh furnishings.
Spot Removal Services
DIY stain removal methods can make stains worse if not applied correctly. Professionals know how to treat specific stains with the best products— without causing any harm to the fibers. Hiring a professional to remove stains gives you a much higher chance of completely eliminating the spot without risking damage.
red flags to watch out for
Not all upholstery cleaning companies offer the same level of expertise. If a company primarily focuses on carpets or offers a one-size-fits-all service, they may lack the specialized training needed for fine fabric care. Before booking, ask if they’ve worked with your specific fabric types or on high-end furnishings before. This simple question can help differentiate a professional upholstery cleaner from a generic carpet cleaning service.
Upholstery cleaning + fabric protection: the dynamic duo
Hiring an upholstery cleaning professional is a great first step to a healthier home— but pair those services with fabric protection for even better results! At Fiber-Seal, we offer expert upholstery cleaning followed by fabric protection services that repel stains, decrease the frequency needed between cleanings, and make ongoing maintenance a breeze. When you protect your fabrics, you increase their longevity and keep them looking their best. Our comprehensive fabric care approach even includes complimentary spot cleaning by trained technicians for added peace of mind.
You can trust Fiber-Seal to keep your furnishings looking fresher for longer— so you can relax in a fresh, clean home. With over 50 years in the fabric care industry, we can deliver a luxurious, customized fabric care plan for your furnishings. Locate a Fiber-Seal near you to schedule your free consultation!
