1) Unzip
People figure that because they can unzip their upholstery, they can just take it off and take it to the dry cleaners. In fact, zippers are put in for the convenience of the manufacturer, not the customer. Upholstery should be cleaned on the frame or cushion so that it will retain its shape. Also, dry cleaners use different materials and techniques than upholstery cleaners, which can shrink and/or damage upholstery. Surprise – the fabric doesn’t fit anymore!
2) Assume it’s already protected
People often assume their upholstery comes protected, however that’s not always the case. It is important to read the labels and if your upholstery hasn’t been treated, do it right away. At Reliable Carpet & Upholstery Care, we offer a citrus-based protector, which is safe for children and pets. It is also a natural alternative to chemical protectors like Scotch Guard and Teflon – just as effective but without the harsh and dangerous chemicals.
3) Spot-Clean
If kids try their new magic markers on the couch, you can just get it out with a little detergent, right? Wrong! Spot cleaning can leave blotches or take the colour out of your upholstery, leaving it looking even worse. In some cases, home treatments can irreparably damage your furniture. If in doubt, don’t! Call a reputable, experienced, professional cleaner for advice.
4) Hire a regular cleaner
People think upholstery cleaners are all the same, but most are actually carpet cleaners who just switch attachments to do upholstery. The steam cleaning technique used on carpets does not work with fine upholstery fabrics and should never be used. Before you hire an upholstery cleaner it is important to inquire whether they have experience cleaning fine fabrics such as cotton, linens, silks, velvets, damasks, etc. rather than synthetics alone. Do yourself a favour and check the online reviews, particularly on Google.
5) Don’t Clean it at all
Ugh! Besides looking unattractive, the build-up of fine dust and grit will wear down the fabric and can also trigger allergies. This is particularly important in a home with small children, pets and people sensitive to contaminates. Upholstery should be professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years.
6) Choose the wrong fabric
All fabrics are cleanable, but some are better for some uses than others. For example, cotton works better than silk for those who have young children or pets or who entertain a lot. Reverse patterns bleed from the inside when something gets spilled on them, so keep them out of the dining room. Even leather isn’t indestructible. It should be checked and conditioned every three to five years. Scratches can often be covered with colour-matched dyes.
Conclusion
Reliable upholstery cleaning and restoration is widely regarded as the most advanced and thorough upholstery cleaning service anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area. With more than two decades of knowledge and experience, thousands of upholstered sofas and chairs, and superior techniques, we have become the leaders in innovative upholstery cleaning, protection and restoration of fabrics.
Reliable Carpet and Upholstery Care uses state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques to deep clean your upholstered furnishings, removing loose soils, stains, odours and allergens. Our extraction cleaning system meets or exceeds all Canadian and International Standards for corrective and procedural upholstery cleaning, giving your upholstery a like-new look and feel.
You paid a lot of hard-earned money for your home furnishings. Treat them to the very best cleaning and restoration in the GTA. Call 416-461-4006 today.