Upholstery, the fabric coverings on couches or chairs, need to be cleaned regularly as a result of normal wear and tear. Upholstery is also used in covering seats in automobiles.
Typical costs:
The cost of cleaning furniture upholstery varies, depending on the size of the piece being cleaned. To have a dining room chair professionally cleaned, for example, it typically costs $10-$120. Stanley Steamer[1] , which has franchises throughout the United States, charges $12 to clean a dining room chair. Larger pieces are more expensive. A sectional sofa can cost from $200-$500 to be cleaned. Chem-Dry[2] , a division of The Home Depot, charges $224-$448 to clean the upholstery on a sectional sofa, depending on the cleaning package the customer selects.
Upholstery cleaning can be done at home with cleaning supplies available in most big-box retailers. National retailers including The Home Depot[3] sell a variety of spot removers and upholstery cleaners for $5-$50, depending on the quantity and strength of the product.
Cleaning the upholstery in automobiles is typically part of interior auto detailing work. Interior detail work generally costs $80-$130, which covers steam cleaning interior fabrics. Cleaning leather upholstery typically costs $50-$75.
Professional upholstery cleaning services start with a thorough inspection of the item being cleaned. The technician typically applies a heated cleaning solution to the upholstery to loosen dirt. Then, the fabric is rinsed and dirt is extracted using specialized tools. A final step is to add a protective coating that repels stains.
Additional costs:
Some businesses add a protective solution to pieces of furniture to help prevent stains. Sears[4] charges $20-$35 for an added level of upholstery protection that helps preserve color and helps lengthen the life of the fabric.
Discounts:
COIT, a nationwide cleaning company, offers coupons[5] for various services based on location.
ProClean offers a free fabric protection application coupon[6] with purchase of upholstery cleaning services.
Retail Me Not[7] , a source of online promotional codes, offers discounts on national cleaning services including Stanley Steemer and Chem-Dry.
DIY Networks provides tips for cleaning leather upholstery[8] .
Mrs. Clean, a cleaning business based in Seattle, offers tips and tricks [9] for removing stains from upholstery.
Shopping for upholstery cleaning:
The Professional Upholstery and Soft Furnishings Group provides an upholsterer locator[10] and tips for spot removal[11] including what kind of solutions to use on specific materials.
The International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association business directory can help customers find a certified, professional cleaning service.
The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, which certifies cleaning businesses, offers tips for selecting the right cleaning professional and an international directory[12] of certified professional cleaning businesses.
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