Upholstery Cleaning: Prolonging the Life of Furniture

The decision to invest in a new piece of furniture can fall within the category of “a major purchase.” A new chair, sofa or couch can cost upwards of a week’s salary or more. Most upholstered pieces will have a stain guard type application in the fabric which will prolong the life of the upholstery. Through the passage of time and use, dirt, residue, food, pet fur and general wear and tear can all lead to damage of the fabric, as well as wear away at the protective coating. Upholstery cleaning can revive the appearance and restore the protective coating in a few hours and ultimately prolong the life of the furniture.

An upholstery cleaning company will come out to the home – or business – and evaluate the service needed and provide a written estimate. The decision can then be made to go ahead with the process of cleaning the furniture. A technician or contractor will prespray, pretreat and prespot treat any area that requires extra attention. A water based stain should be able to be removed, with the exception to a fabric that has been dyed, which may not be able to have a stain lifted due to the treatment of the fabric when it was made. The company representative will be able to distinguish between the types of stains that can be treated and those that cannot be removed.

Most upholstery cleaning companies are turning to earth friendly cleaning products. A jet steam or dry clean process is used according to the furniture manufactures directions/recommendations noted on the tag attached to the piece. The steam will both deodorize and disinfect the fabric, removing dust mites and allergens, improving the air quality in the home. 80% of all dust and dirt that enters the home will settle into upholstery and cause damage to the fibers in the fabric. Seat cushions should never be removed and thrown into a load of laundry: this can cause fading, shrinkage and deterioration of the fabric, not to mention it may be impossible to put the covers back on the piece.

An upholstery cleaning company should be certified with trained technicians or contractors. Ask in advance if they will vacuum and move the furniture, if necessary. Any additional charges should be discussed in advance of the cleaning, and an understanding of the process and which chemicals will be used for treating the furniture prior to any work being done. Inquire how long will it take and how soon can the furniture be used afterward? All guarantees toward the work should be put into writing, as well as maintenance tips to keep the upholstery looking fresh and new.

After the work is done, the furniture should look brighter, smell clean and fresh and revitalized. Most companies will request a testimonial about the service they provided be submitted, ensuring the best effort will be made toward meeting a customer’s expectations. Upholstery cleaning is a wonderful investment toward prolonging the life of furniture.