Couch cleaning services

Over time you may find that your couch starts looking drab and dull. If you want to hire a cleaning service to bring it back to life, we've put together a guide to help you find the right one.

What are couch cleaning services?

A couch cleaning service provides a steam clean of your upholstery, removing stains and restoring the colour so that it looks like new and prolongs the length of time before you need to buy a new couch.

What does a couch cleaning service do?

A couch cleaning service comes to your home and steam cleans your couch with commercial-grade equipment in a multi-stage process to remove all types of dirt, dust and allergens. The cleaners will pre-treat the couch, removing lint, pre-spraying the upholstery, agitating stains, applying rinse and deodorizer before steam cleaning and brushing the fibre so that it looks like new.

Many professional cleaning companies use a quick-drying process that will have your couch ready within a few hours. Professional services can remove stubborn stains that you may not be able to remove yourself.

How do I hire a couch cleaning service?

You can hire a couch cleaning service online or through a recommendation from someone you know. You should make sure that the company has a licence, enquire about the cleaning methods the company uses and check that it has good customer reviews.

How much does a professional couch cleaning service cost?

In general, prices start at $55 for a two-seater fabric couch, rising to more than $300 for an L-shaped four-seater leather couch. The cost to have your couch cleaned will depend on the size and the material. Is it a two-seater or four-seater? Have you got matching armchairs? Is it leather? The cleaning company may apply an upholstery protector to prevent the build-up of further grime and stains for an additional cost.

How do I compare couch cleaning services?

To be able to compare services, you should make a checklist and get quotes from several services. Find out what cleaning process and chemicals they use, check licences and accreditations, check that the prices they quote include any extras, and compare how long they expect the process to take.

If you have small children or pets, you will want to make sure that the chemicals they use are non-toxic. The company should send someone to come to your home to see the upholstery and provide a tailored quote.

How should I prepare for a couch cleaning service?

Before the cleaning service arrives, you can do a few things to make sure the process runs smoothly with minimal disruption:

• Remove clutter.
  Removing items like throws, cushions and toys from the couch and the surrounding area will make it easier for the cleaner to move around the couch.
• Move the couch away from walls.
  Moving the couch will allow the cleaner to clean it on all sides and make sure the colour is restored evenly.
• Check the couch for problem areas.
  Identify any particular stains or areas that you need to point out to the cleaner.
• Secure pets.
  Keep pets away from the area so that they are not bothered by the chemicals and do not disrupt the cleaner as the work.

What to consider when hiring couch cleaning services.

Consider whether the cost being quoted meets your budget and balance the cost with the quality of service offered. The cheapest quote isn't necessarily the best one. Check out the company's reviews and make sure that the cleaner is licensed and trained to deliver the service. You should also check that the cleaning methods the company uses are suitable for the material of your particular couch.

Do I need to be at home for a couch cleaning service?

You don't need to be at home while the cleaner works on your couch; you can arrange for them to have access while you are out. The advantage of this is that you are not in each other's way and when you return the job is done.

Pros and cons of couch cleaning

Pros

• Professional cleaners use commercial-grade equipment, which is more effective than the equipment you would use.
• Experienced cleaning companies know how best to clean various fabrics.
• Prolongs the life of expensive furniture.

Cons

• Cost is higher than doing it yourself
• Couch needs several hours to dry after cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you clean your couch?

Couch fabrics can harbour dust, pollen and pet dander that affects the air quality in your home, so you should clean your couch every 6-12 months. If you have small children or pets, you should clean it more often to prevent the build-up of dirt and allergens.

Why can't I just clean my couch myself?

While you can clean your couch with a steam cleaner, an experienced professional from a cleaning service will use commercial-grade equipment and tailor the treatment based on their knowledge of the specific fabric of your couch. If you clean the couch yourself you could void the manufacturer's warranty.

What is the best way to clean a couch?

Even when you use a professional cleaning service, there are things you can do to make sure your couch can be cleaned as much as possible. Treat a stain or spillage as soon as it happens, because leaving it too long can bond it to the fibres and make it difficult to remove. Use a dry brush to loosen dirt particles before cleaning.

If you are going to use a steam cleaner, vacuum the couch to remove loose particles first. Check the care label and manufacturer's instructions, and then spot clean an area that is less visible to make sure the products you're using will not damage the material.

Can I get my leather couch cleaned?

Yes. Most cleaning services will clean leather couches, although they will typically charge a premium as it requires specialist care.

Can I get my fold out sofa cleaned too?

Yes. A professional couch cleaning service will also clean sofa beds. They tend to clean a range of upholstery, from dining chairs to mattresses as well as couches.