Upholstery cleaning: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What upholstery cleaning is

Upholstery cleaning removes dirt, body oils, pet hair and stains from sofas, chairs and other fabric furniture. A cleaner checks the fabric care code first, then pre-treats stains and uses an extraction or dry method that lifts soil without soaking the foam or damaging the material.

Signs you need it

  • The seat cushions look flat and gray on the front edge where people sit most
  • Stains from food, drink or pets have set into the fabric and will not lift with a household cleaner
  • A musty or pet odor remains in the sofa even after vacuuming
  • The fabric is shiny or matted in the arms and back where skin rubs against it
  • You have a pet that sheds on the sofa and the hair is worked into the weave

What the pro does

  • Check the care code on the label, and test a hidden seam or underside with the cleaner before starting
  • Vacuum the surface and the crevices with an upholstery tool to lift loose hair and dust
  • Pre-treat stains and oily areas with a product matched to the fabric type
  • Clean the fabric with an extraction method or a dry cleaning method suited to the code
  • Extract and rinse to remove residue, taking care not to soak the foam or the frame
  • Dry the furniture with air movement, and check for any stain that did not lift

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and size of pieces, such as a three-seat sofa, a loveseat or a set of chairs
  • Fabric type and care code, since water-based and dry methods are chosen by the code
  • Number and type of stains, including pet urine, oil and dye transfer
  • Whether the job includes cushions removed and cleaned separately
  • Whether pet hair removal or odor treatment is included
  • Access to the furniture and whether it must be moved

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pieces covered and the fabric type and care code noted for each
  • The method used, water-based extraction or dry cleaning, and why it was chosen
  • Stain and odor treatments included, and any stain that may not fully lift
  • Drying time and what you should do to help it dry
  • Whether a re-clean is offered if a stain returns or the fabric changes

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What does the care code on my sofa allow, and will you test before you clean
  • Will water soak the foam or the frame, and how long will the sofa take to dry
  • Do you clean the cushions out of the frame, or only the surfaces
  • What do you use on pet urine and oil stains on the fabric
  • Can you remove pet hair from the weave, and do you use a rubber tool or a vacuum
  • Will the color or texture of the fabric change after cleaning

Red flags

  • Water-based cleaning on a fabric whose care code says solvent only (S) or vacuum only (X), or any wet method used without a test patch
  • Strong solvent used on a fabric without a test, which can bleed dye or damage the backing
  • No mention of drying time, leaving the sofa damp for days
  • A promise to remove every stain with no mention of the fabric type or the stain type

What you can do yourself

You can vacuum the sofa weekly with an upholstery tool, blot fresh spills right away and rotate cushions to even out wear. Call a professional for water-based or extraction cleaning, set-in stains, pet urine and any fabric whose care code you cannot confirm.

Licenses and permits

Upholstery cleaning is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a cleaning company in your area.

Upholstery cleaning questions

What do the letters on my sofa's care tag mean?

They describe the cleaning methods the manufacturer allows. A W code means water-based cleaning is allowed. An S code means solvent or dry cleaning only. WS means either method, and X means vacuum only. Ask the cleaner which method your code allows.

How long does sofa cleaning take to dry?

It depends on the fabric, the method and the air in the room. Ask the crew for an estimate and keep the room ventilated with fans.

Can you clean a sofa with a leather cover?

Leather needs a different method from fabric. Ask a specialist who uses a leather cleaner and conditioner, not a fabric extraction method.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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