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 of certified professional cleaning businesses.
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