It’s a special time indeed when you can lie back on your couch during the middle of a lazy afternoon. Yes, a good couch provides the perfect place to take nap, watch the big game, chat with friends or cuddle with a loved one. And your pets love it too.
Not surprisingly, a well-used couch will also hold onto odors plus harbor harmful germs and allergens that can make your family and you sick.You can fix this situation by cleaning your upholstered furniture.
KEEP YOUR UPHOLSTERY LOOKING GREAT
A professional cleaning of your upholstered furniture will both extend the life of your fabrics and keep your home or business seating area sweet smelling and healthy. Professionals recommend that residential upholstery be cleaned every one to two years, with commercial pieces addressed even more frequently. In between professional cleanings, homeowners and businesses are encouraged to properly care for their fabrics as follows:
STAINS & SPILLS
Be on constant lookout for stains and spills, cleaning them as soon as they happen. If you purchased the upholstered furniture new it will be important to refer to the furniture care instructions that accompanied the piece to make sure you’re giving it the proper care. As an example, some fabrics can be easily damaged by water, while others require special detergents for cleaning. If you notice heavily soiled areas, have them professionally cleaned immediately to avoid permanent stains. If deep stains are left untreated for too long it can be hard to restore such damaged areas to their original appearance.
Below are some common and specialty fabrics along with pieces of furniture that can greatly benefit from professional upholstery cleanings:
- Common fabrics and materials:cotton, polyester, linen, wool, leather, chenille*, chintz*, rayon, nylon, microfiber and suede
- Specialty fabrics and materials:Haitian cotton, jacquard, mohair, silk, damask and velvet
- Commonly cleaned furniture:sofa/couch, recliner, ottoman, chaise lounge, dining chair, barstool, window treatments, headboard, mattress, public seating unit and office chair
*While these fabrics are typically made with wool or cotton, chenille and chintz go through an additional process, which requires a different cleaning method than ordinary wool or cotton fabrics.
THE UPHOLSTERY CLEANING METHODS
Research several upholstery cleaning companies, asking them about their cleaning methods,once you decide to have your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned. If you can, determine what cleaning method the manufacturer of your furniture recommends. Compare the two processes—the upholstery cleaner’s method should be similar to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
You may also want to check if your cleaner offers additional treatments like stain repellents and deodorizers if you want extra stain protection for your furniture or need to remove strong odors.You should be able to restore and preserve the beauty of your fabric by working with a professional upholstery cleaning service. Not only will your clean upholstery brighten the room and extend the life of your furniture, but you will also be able to rest easy in the comfort of your spotless, freshened and healthful fabrics.