Some couches are the centerpiece of our lives. Pets snuggle in sunbeams while kids watch their favorite shows. And all the dirt, dust, dander, bacteria and food particles grind together in your favorite napping spot.
The fabric choices we make for our couches, armchairs and ottomans determine how frequently they should be cleaned. When you add furniture to your home, you’ll need to know the best cleaning methods and ways to keep it looking great for decades. A couch that serves as a quick place to tie your shoes in the bedroom won’t need the same care and attention as one that serves as a home base.
At Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration, we understand the importance of matching the correct fabric cleaning method to the upholstery. Delicate fabrics, blended materials and any fabrics that require deep cleaning are our specialty. In this blog, we’ll cover how to pick the right upholstery fabric for your lifestyle and when to call for professional help to keep your furniture clean, comforting and free of allergens.
How to Pick the Right Upholstery Fabric
When you’re picking between the tiger print chaise lounge and the plum armchair with an ottoman, look closely at the fabric. The five most popular fabrics for upholstering furniture each have pros and cons. Some are more prone to stains, while others must be professionally cleaned whenever they are soiled. Knowing your cleaning commitment can help you choose your next upholstery fabric.
Cotton: One of the most popular fabrics, cotton and cotton blends are known for their comfort. Naturally wear-resistant, this fabric can be prone to wrinkling and absorbing stains and dirt.
- Cleaning tips: Regularly vacuuming can extend the life of cotton furniture as well as fabric and upholstery protectors.
- When to call the pros: If your cotton upholstery is faded and stained, it’s time for a deep upholstery clean from an expert. A professional will use mild soaps to eliminate germs and stains.
Leather: An excellent choice in upholstery when looking for an easy-to-clean, hard-to-stain fabric. Leather requires maintenance to hold its color and prevent cracking.
- Cleaning tips: Gently vacuum before applying a damp wipe and leather conditioner to enhance durability.
- When to call the pros: Don’t let cracks take hold in your leather upholstery! Call the pros to keep the luster in your leather. Look for a professional upholstery cleaning company that use mild leather cleaning solutions and leather conditioners.
Linen: Often seen in furniture and curtains, linen is an eco-friendly option that resists piling and fading. Prone to wrinkles and easy to wear out, linen belongs in a formal living room.
- Cleaning tips: Don’t let stains sit too long, or they can cause irreparable damage.
- When to call the pros: Don’t let your linen furniture shrink with improper cleaning! When linen furniture is severely soiled, call the professionals.
Silk: A delicate choice for furniture, silk requires special care.
- Cleaning tips: Regularly vacuum silk furniture and keep drinks, plants and puppies away!
- When to call the pros: We recommend calling the experts anytime you need to clean silk. It requires a specific cleaning process.
Wool: Wool’s natural stain and wrinkle resistance make it a perfect choice for a new couch or rug.
- Cleaning tips: Be careful when cleaning comfy, cozy wool furniture pieces. Shrinkage and damage can occur. Stick to water-based cleaners explicitly created for wool when spot cleaning.
- When to call the pros: Call the pros when stains resist home-cleaning methods. A professional steam cleaning can breathe new life into your wool upholstery.
What to Expect from Upholstery Cleaners Once You Pick Upholstery Fabric
Of course, you will need to clean your quality upholstered furniture regularly. However, be careful with your home cleaning methods! Some methods can leave furniture wet too long or push stains and dirt deeper into your cushions, leading to mold or mildew. Learn how to remove the odors, stop the sneezing and save your upholstered furniture investments in our blog on the Top Reasons to Opt for Professional Upholstery Cleaning.
Whether you have red wine on your new white cotton couch or years of unknown stains on the dog’s favorite ottoman, a professional evaluation of the stains and odors in your furniture can quickly identify the right techniques for cleaning your cherished furniture.
Reputable professional upholstery cleaners will be transparent with their recommendations and processes, and you can compare these against the recommendations on your furniture’s tags. Ask your cleaners if they provide stain repellents and deodorizers to further the impact of your professional cleaning.
With our five-step cleaning process, we’re helping San Antonio breathe easier with professional cleaning services for upholstered furniture. Contact us today for a professional upholstery evaluation.