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.