Category: Cleaning

Professional Cleaning Methods for Your Sofa

A good sofa set furnishes the living room well and provides unsurpassed comfort to its users. However, sofas require regular professional cleaning services in order to maintain its comfort and beauty. It not only prolongs the lifespan of the sofa, it also makes it a healthier place to be at without all the dirt and germs.

Steam heat extraction

Steam heat extraction utilizes high temperature steam heat extraction technology to remove dust and all other unhealthy particles from the surface of the sofa. This method removes excess moisture together with dirt and dust, ensuring that there will not be any wet or soggy after effect. As a result, fabric shrinkage is significantly reduced and the entire sofa can be cleaned in just a couple of hours. This method is also more financially economical as compared to other methods and ensures for the best possible cleaning.

Carbonation cleaning

Carbonating cleaning simulates natural cleaning by Mother Nature and it ensures that the sofa is left in a just bought condition. The entire cleaning takes only 4 to 6 hours. Only a small amount of carbonating cleaning solutions with an effervescent effect is used, which are only a tenth of what steam cleaning requires. Less water is also required. Millions of carbonating bubbles are small enough to penetrate into the fibers, removing grime and dirt. They then lift these to the surface where they are easily wiped away. Not only that, it leaves a protective barrier on the surface, minimizing future accumulation of dirt and grime.

Chemical cleaning

Chemically safe products which are safe on all types of fabrics including leather are used. A unique dry shampoo encapsulation method which effectively removes dirt and embedded particles are used and minimal drying time is required. In fact, you can almost immediately sit down after the sofa cleaning is completed.

Foam cleaning

A foam solution is applied by hand onto the sofa and they are worked onto stains and allowed to rest for a short period of time. Subsequently, the area is vacuum cleaned and the result is a clean and fresh smelling sofa. Since the amount of foam can be controlled by the user, the chances of moisture damage are lower and are a common choice by consumers.

Dry cleaning

This is a method similar to foam cleaning without the usage of water. A chemical cleaning powder is sprinkled around the fabric and it is worked onto the stain. After which, the powder are vacuum up and the result is a clean sofa. Since no water is used in this cleaning method, it can be used on wood materials and there is no down time required for drying.

There are many different methods available on the market now and the consumers are spoilt for choice. Depending on their budget and whether the cleaning is an urgent one, they can choose their desired method and continue to use their beloved sofa for an even longer period of time.

How to Clean a Fabric Sofa with a Steamer

What you’ll need:

An upholstery steam cleaner. Make sure before using that the manufacturer’s recommendations state it is safe for a fabric couch. Note, too, that just because your sofa is water-safe doesn’t make it heat-safe. As with other types of cleaners, always test spot an area before going full-steam (pun-intended)!

What to do:

• Read the manual. There’s a reason why a steam cleaner comes with instructions. Read them carefully before beginning.
• Vacuum first. Vacuuming your sofa – or anything, for that matter – before cleaning makes it a whole lot easier to clean it. Dirt, dust and other loose particles won’t get in the way and will give your steam cleaner a clean canvas to work from.
• Keep the air circulated. Turn on a fan and open all the windows in the room for a strong cross breeze. This will help to keep the air circulation strong, preventing moisture buildup and residue.
• Spot test an area first. This step is so important, it bears repeating. Pick a small hidden spot to test the cleaner, such as the back or the inside of the sofa’s skirt (if it has one, and if the inside material is made of the same fabric as the outside of the sofa).
• Let the sofa air dry. Don’t sit on the sofa while it’s still wet. Keep the windows open to help dry out the room. Be aware that it may take leaving the sofa untouched overnight for it to fully dry.
• Vacuum last. Vacuuming again, once you’ve steamed the upholstery, will help ensure that any dirt that was loosened by the cleaner gets removed. Just remember to wait until the sofa is completely dry before vacuuming!

COMMON CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECHNIQUES USED BY PROFESSIONALS

Regular vacuuming is useful for cleaning on the surface. However, there are many stains on carpets and upholstery that cannot be simply vacuumed away. Professionals are needed to apply more advanced tools and techniques to clean at and beneath the surface level. The following are a few, common cleaning methods that are used by Fox Valley Carpet Cleaning’s technicians in Aurora and Naperville.

Hot Water Extraction

Hot water extraction is one of the most popular methods of carpet cleaning. For many property owners, it’s the most effective way to clean carpets and furniture at the deepest levels. The process starts by pre-treating the area with a cleaning solution that penetrates the fibers. Then, hot water is inserted into the fibers and extracted through a high pressure vacuum.

Water Usage

Preventing problems is a major aspect of floor or upholstery cleaning. Over-saturation occurs when too much water is applied to the area being cleaned. Some people think that using more water increases the effectiveness of removing stains. In reality, it just requires more power to remove the water and it takes longer to dry the area.

Brushing

Brushing helps to remove the stains that lie on the surface and deep within the fibers. It’s optional, but it increases the penetration of the cleaning agents that remove stains. After brushing, the solution is left to soak into the fibers for at least 10 minutes or more.

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning is the work of removing the biggest and most deeply ingrained stains. It involves using a highly concentrated solution and scrubbing the stain off using a hard bristle brush. This technique works for either carpet or upholstery cleaning; however, upholstery comes in different materials, so the cleaning solution must be safe to use on the material.

Stain Diagnosis

People who do not clean for a living are not familiar with stains. There are different types of stains that require different types of cleaning methods to remove. Removing blood effectively is not the same as removing paint, and some stains if left too much cannot be removed at all.

How to Clean and Maintain Different Types of Upholstery

No matter how much effort you put in cleaning and maintaining your armchairs or sofa, accidents happen. When spill occurs the time of reaction is of essence. In fact, upholstered furniture is bound to get dirty from general use over time – that’s inevitable! Stains, dirt and accumulated dust can make the fabric look worn out and scruffy.

Learning how to clean and maintain your furniture is important if you want to keep it looking beautiful, clean and well cared of. This is why we’ve gathered some useful tips on cleaning the most common types of upholstery fast and effective.

How to Clean Different Fabrics

There are some pretty common rules when it comes to clean upholstered furniture. Regular vacuuming is a must to avoid dust setting deeply into fabric and stuffing. Spot treatment is the best way to remove spills, before they become stubborn stains. But the similarities end here.

Different upholstery fabrics require different care. Knowing how to deal with the specific kind can help you avoid shrinking or colour bleeding and get impeccable results when cleaning your furniture.

Synthetic Upholstery

Fabrics made of synthetic fibres, such as acrylic, polyester, nylon or olefin, are generally easy to clean. They stand water well and you can use any type of water-based cleaning product. If the upholstery is removable you can even put it in your laundry machine. However it is always smart to check the label on your furniture to see if there are any instructions for specific treatment or product. If not sure what to do just test the cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area to see if there is shrinkage or discoloration. If these occur, stop and try another furniture cleaning agent.

Natural Upholstery

Some types of upholstery are made of 100% natural fibres, most often cotton and wool, but sometimes silk, velvet or linen. Typically natural fabrics retain a lot of water so wet cleaning is not a good idea, however steam cleaning can be appropriate. Generally, you can clean these types of fabrics by yourself unless the label says otherwise. When you clean natural upholstery you will do fine with water-based product, but be moderate when applying it. Too much moist can cause shrinking or ‘water rings’.

Combined Upholstery

Very often upholstery fabric is combination of natural and man-made fibres. Usually cotton or wool are blended 50/50 with some synthetic threads. The safest option when dealing with blended fabrics is to hire professional upholstery cleaners in London. Combined fabrics usually require special treatment to avoid shrinking or other damage, unless the label specifies their DIY cleaning method.

Microfibre Upholstery

Microfibre is beautiful, durable and easy to maintain fabric. In this type of upholstery a tiny area consist of large amount of fibres. This stops the dirt from penetrating deep into the fabric. Usually scrubbing off the dirt with brush and vacuuming should be enough to remove the stain. For spot cleaning check the manufacturer label to select the best product for your microbibre upholstery.

Leather

Usually leather needs only wiping from the dust and dirt and occasional conditioning to keep it elastic and smooth. If however you have to deal with stain on you leather upholstery you should consider hiring professional company to treat the spot.

NB! When cleaning your upholstery, you should try to avoid getting liquids and cleaning agents to frames, legs or armrests of the furniture. These metal or wooden parts can corrode, rust, change color and even stain the upholstery and this definitely is a problem you don’t want to deal with.

Tips To Choose Best Upholstery Fabric

Needless to say, no matter what furniture you buy, be it an armchair or a sofa, upholstery is always an invincible part of the big investment. Upholstery, to a large extent, determines the look of your furniture and should be chosen with great care

Have patience and invest some time while choosing the right fabric

People make a big mistake by being in a hurry while shopping for the upholstery fabric. Won’t work! Look for each available option, check the label and ask all kinds of questions related to the durability, material and the cleaning process of each fabric. The main thing to look for is, how long the concerned upholstery will last

Take note of the scale and the shape

One must be clear about the shape of the furniture they need upholstery for. For example- for a curvaceous piece of furniture, it is better to go with solid-color fabrics. Thus, it is important to take into account the size and the shape of the furniture

Testing and taking trials is good

The best way to decide whether you should buy an upholstery fabric or not is to actually test that, how it feels like to sit on it. The feeling of comfort is the prime concern that should be on your mind while shopping for upholstery. So, won’t it be best to try how comfortable is the fabric then and there? It helps you to make the best decision, among the various options available.

Pre-decide your budget

Well, this mantra of “Pre-deciding your budget” is applicable in every situation where you want to buy something which is costly. So, before actually shopping upholstery, you must be sure of the approximate amount that you are ready to spend on it. When you go for shopping of the upholstery fabric, it is a sure fact that you will like a lot of stuff but if you are specific on your budget, then it will be easier to choose

The Right Way to Clean a Couch, According to a Top Expert

After all the Hallmark movie marathons and Netflix binges, your couch quickly becomes the catch-all spot for crumbs, popcorn kernels, and occasional wine spills. While vacuuming or wiping down your sofa may tackle dirt, pet hair, and crumbs, bust out your fabric steamers and cleaners if you really want to get rid of set-in stains and spills. Every six months or so, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean a couch by the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab to make the focal point in your living room statement-worthy again.

How to Clean a Couch

Whether you’re trying to tackle a specific stain or want to give your entire couch a seasonal refresh

Use a handheld garment steamer or bursts from your steam iron to kill dust mites. Go over the entire sofa, allowing just the steam to touch and penetrate the fabric. If you don’t have a steamer or iron, skip this step and go straight to vacuuming.

With your vacuum’s upholstery attachment, go over the entire sofa: back, arms, skirt, and cushions. If the cushions are removable, take them off and vacuum the fabric underneath, going as far under the back and arms as your vacuum can reach. With the crevice tool, go along the seams, around any buttons, and along the trim

For fabrics that can safely be cleaned with water, treat food and pet stains with an enzyme-containing formula like Bissell Professional Pet Stain & Odor Remover. In a pinch, mix together mild dish soap with warm water. Always test any cleaner in a hidden area first

How to Choose the Best Professional Upholstery Cleaning

The need for professional upholstery cleaning is something that many people never stop to think about. The way we live our lives creates a need to have our furniture cleaned every now and then. We never stop to think about what gets on the couch or the chair on a day-to-day basis. We come from work or school and just go directly to the couch, never even considering what kind of filth and germs get on it as a result.

With this in mind, you may consider professional upholstery cleaning to be a valuable service. When you decide you want your furnishings professionally cleaned, you might be able to choose from many companies. You want to find a company that is both affordable and reliable. If you pay someone to clean your furniture, you want to make sure the job is done right. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you try to choose the best company for professional upholstery cleaning

Determine the Cost Range of Professional Upholstery Cleaning

When you are considering professional upholstery cleaning, you would like to know how much you can expect the bill to be. The truth is that costs can vary wildly within the industry. Your price may depend on what type of furniture you are having cleaned. If you are cleaning a tiny footstool, the bill is obviously going to be much less than cleaning a sectional sofa. Though prices can vary widely, the average upholstery project costs about $200. However, if you have them complete a very large project, you could pay more than $1000. Of course, you’ll want to check with local companies to get accurate estimates for your area.

Compare Estimates from Local Companies

If you live in a large area, you will usually not face a shortage of options regarding professional upholstery cleaning. If you want to find out how much they charge, just ask. Pick up the phone book, open it to the Yellow Pages and find the section for upholstery cleaners. Explain what you want them to clean and ask for price estimates. After you’ve called several or all of the local companies, compare the prices

Consider Other Factors

When you are trying to decide which professional upholstery cleaning company you should go with, price is a big factor. But you may not necessarily want to go with the outright cheapest service. Make sure to ask if anyone is offering special deals. Also ask how packed their schedule is and any other questions that come to mind. You’ll also want to know if the company offers good service. You’ll try to answer this question in the next step.

How To Choose Best Upholstery Cleaning Machine?

Furniture creates the style within each room of your home. This means that the upholstery of your furniture needs to be cared for in order to maintain longevity and cleanliness. You clean your carpets, so there your upholstery should be maintained the same way. When it comes to cleaning your upholstery, the cleaner you use makes a big difference. Stains can really make your furniture look dingy and dirty, therefore finding a cleaner that does the job without ruining your furniture is important

Cleaning your Upholstery with Steam

The first thing that you should know when looking for an upholstery cleaner is that steam is the best option. This means that you need to buy a steam cleaner. Steam is most effective in getting out set-in stains. This means that even stains you do not catch right away can be removed by using this a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner works by releasing a pressurized steam on the area of the stain. There is a heating element within the cleaner that works to produce the steam. There are different models and sizes of cleaners to choose from, so you need to know which type of steam cleaner is best

High Temperatures to Clean Deep and Disinfect

It is best to look for a make and model that offers a high-temperature option. This is the only way you can be sure that the steam will have the ability to soften the dirt in order for it to be removed. The steam cleaner is designed to do all the work and you simply will be able to wipe the stain away once the steam has been applied. This is most effective when you are using an upholstery cleaner that has the capacity to reach high temperatures. The higher temp will allow you to clean away more set-in stains

A Compact Design Still Packs Power

You might assume that an upholstery cleaner is bulky and hard to lug around, but this is not always the case. There are plenty of new portable upholstery cleaning machines that are specifically designed to be compact and easy to store. These cleaners may be small in size, but they are still big in power and have the ability to clean all types of stains. These are also designed to be portable and easy to handle, which is something that you need to look in an upholstery cleaner. You need a cleaner that you can carry from room to room with ease.

Steam Cleaner Wand Accessory

Another feature that will really come in handy when you own an upholstery cleaner is a wand. A wand is a great accessory that comes with most steam cleaners. The use of the wand allows you to get more access to stains that might not be as easy to clean or reach. For couches and sofas this is really ideal and allows you to give them a very thorough and deep cleaning. The wand will let you reach areas that you otherwise couldn’t with a generic steam cleaner

Professional Upholstery Cleaning: Which Fabrics Need It?

There’s nothing better than lying on a plush couch in the middle of a lazy day. A good couch provides a place to nap, watch the big game, or cuddle with a loved one. But a good, well-used couch can also hold onto odor and harbor harmful allergens and germs that can make you and your family sick

Keep Your Upholstery Looking Great

Having your upholstery cleaned by a professional will both extend the life of your fabrics and keep your home and household healthy. Professionals recommend that homeowners have their upholstery cleaned every one to two years.

However, if your furry friend has made your loveseat her favorite napping place, you should have that area cleaned more often—at least every six months. In between professional cleanings, homeowners are encouraged to properly care for their fabrics.

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, recliner, ottoman, chaise lounge, dining chair, barstool, window treatments, headboard, office chair, and mattress

The Upholstery Cleaning Methods

Once you know what pieces you would like to have professionally cleaned, research a couple of upholstery cleaning companies, and ask them about their cleaning methods.