Mistakes to Avoid on Upholstery Cleaning

Regularly cleaning upholstered furniture is a must in every home or workplace. It protects the health of those who use it. It saves you money by prolonging the life of your furniture. It creates a more positive overall environment, and it protects the planet by reducing waste.

That said, there are several common mistakes that people make when upholstery cleaning. Let’s look at four of the biggest ones, and how to avoid them all (a big hint: hire professional cleaners!).

1. Not Reading and Abiding by Care Instructions

Pretty much everything these days comes with instructions, and let’s face it: most people rarely read most of them. Who needs instructions for how to use a sofa?

When it comes to upholstery cleaning, though, those instructions are very vital. Not following them—including using the right products and techniques—can ruin your furniture. Having to replace furniture before you need to costs a lot of money unnecessarily.

If you already tossed your manuals, you could look up instructions online. But the best thing to do is hire professional cleaners, who have the knowledge to do the job right.

2. Not Testing Before Jumping in

Always do a spot test before you treat the whole piece of furniture, and always do it in a spot that is inconspicuous. That way, no one will notice if it goes wrong, and you’ve averted disaster. Even experienced professional cleaners do this when they conduct upholstery cleaning, even when they’re confident about the products and material on which they’re using them.

3. Using the Wrong Products

Even if a product is marketed as safe for your upholstery materials, you still need to use products that are particularly manufactured for your furniture. The materials that compose your fabric furniture, even in very small quantities, can have a huge impact on how cleaning products work (or don’t work). Even the practices used in manufacturing the furniture can affect how cleaning products interact with the fabrics.

Another factor to consider is the contents and smell of the products. Some use harsh chemicals, and given that we spend a lot of time sitting on our upholstered furniture, it isn’t a good idea to breathe those in, and it isn’t pleasant to smell them.

Luckily, professional cleaners have a wealth of information and access to these items, so you don’t have to do the research yourself.

4. Using the Wrong Techniques

Just like using the wrong products, using the wrong cleaning techniques can have an equally disastrous result. Even in the best-case scenario, not using ideal techniques won’t end up cleaning the upholstery in the end, and you’ll have wasted time, money, and energy.

Spraying, scrubbing, rubbing, application, and so much more could end up destroying or damaging upholstered furniture.

Even plain water can leave water marks or cause other damage on microfibre or other materials. In addition, using the wrong vacuum attachment can also yield unpleasant results, stains, or other damage to upholstered furniture.

The Solution for All of These Mistakes

If you guessed that the best solution is hiring professional upholstery cleaners, then you’re absolutely right! Experts have the experience to avoid common pitfalls, ensuring your furniture is cleaned safely and effectively. Plus, if anything does go wrong, reputable professionals will take responsibility—sometimes even replacing damaged furniture.

Beyond upholstery, professional cleaners offer peace of mind for all your cleaning needs. You’ll know the job is done right, leaving you confident in your choice.

We specialise in upholstery cleaning in Perth and couch cleaning in Brisbane, along with other locations, including Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. Hire expert upholstery cleaners today!

Author Profile

Radoslav Radev

Radoslav is a managing director at Optima Cleaners, but copywriting has been one of his passions for many years. When he's not hunched over his keyboard, you'll find Radoslav exploring quaint bookstores for inspiration or sipping espresso at his favorite local café, always on the hunt for the next big idea to ignite a brand's success. With a pen in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, Radoslav continues to captivate audiences and breathe life into every brand he touches.

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