Upholstery Cleaning

Upholstery, Couch, and Sofa!

 

Everything You Need to Know About Couch Cleaning Services in Toronto

 

Do you know that your couch is the dirtiest thing in your home — dirtier than your washroom?

 

According to a Hygiene Audit Systems study, microbiologists found that the average games controller, which is an item usually left on couches, has a bacterial count of 7,863 per 15 square inches, nearly five times that of a typical washroom. Sofa arms were found to be 12 times more contaminated, and a typical favorite children’s toy is 1.5 times dirtier.

 

So, it turns out that one of the most frequently used furniture in our homes — except for the kitchen table — is also the dirtiest. But, unlike the kitchen table which we always clean after use, people rarely have their couches/sofas/upholstery thoroughly cleaned. A Hygiene Council study found that 61% of the population has either never gotten their sofas professionally cleaned, or have done so only once or twice since they acquired them. Yikes!

 

How dirty can sofas and couches get?

 

Soft surfaces like those on couches and sofas are harder to clean, so they can house dangerous allergens and bacteria longer than hard surfaces do. These bacteria can include the common cold bacteria, the flu virus, listeria, staph, and strep bacteria. Our couches and sofas can literally make us sick without our being even aware of it. However, the good news is they can be removed by a good professional cleaning service in Toronto that thoroughly cleans them.

 

How long do sofas and couches last?

 

People put a lot of thought into buying their furniture, especially their couches or sofas, and consider it an important home decorating investment in their budget. Our sofas are not only our comfort zones but also say a lot about our home, personality, and character. 

 

Maintaining it, though, appears to be another matter. Although we wish they’d just take care of themselves and live forever, they can’t. The average couch or sofa life is only between 7 to 15 years. If you take good care of it, you might likely be able to recoup some of your investment in it by selling it at thrift furniture shops someday.

 

Can upholstery fabric really be cleaned?

 

Yes! It requires that you know how to do it properly, though. Different upholstery fabrics need different kinds of care and cleaning. You don’t want your upholstery to shrink or the color to bleed when you’re cleaning it.

 

There are 5 types of upholstery: natural, synthetic, combined, microfibre, and leather.

 

(1) Natural upholstery is made of 100% natural fibers, like cotton, wool, silk, velvet, and linen. Natural fabrics retain a lot of water so wet cleaning is not advisable. Steam cleaning would be good, though. Generally, you can clean them by yourself unless the label says not to. Using water-based products will be fine in moderate amounts. Too much can cause shrinking or “water rings”.

 

(2) Synthetic upholstery is made of fabrics from human-made fibers, like acrylic, nylon or olefin, and polyester. They are generally easy to clean. They can take water well and most any type of water-based cleaning product will do. If the upholstery can be removed, it can even be washed in your laundry machine. It’s always a good idea, though, to check the upholstery’s label first for specific cleaning instructions and warnings. Also, test a small, not-easily-visible area first for discoloration or shrinkage before cleaning the entire furniture. If discoloration or shrinkage occurs, stop, and try another cleaning agent.

 

(3) Combined upholstery uses both natural and synthetic fibers. Oftentimes, cotton or wool is blended with synthetic fibers at a 50:50 ratio. Since this requires expert knowledge and professional treatment, the safest option is to hire professional upholstery cleaning services in Toronto, unless the label specifies a do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning method.

 

(4) Microfiber upholstery uses microfiber fabric where a tiny fabric area uses a large number of fibers. This stops dirt from penetrating deeply into the fabric, so this type of upholstery fabric is easier to clean. Usually, just regular scrubbing off the dirt with a brush and vacuuming to remove the stain will do. Still, check the manufacturer’s label for specific cleaning instructions, especially for spot cleaning.

 

(5) Leather upholstery fabric usually needs only prompt and regular wiping off of dust and dirt and periodic conditioning to keep the fabric smooth and elastic. However, for spot cleaning, it is recommended that a professional cleaning service in Toronto does it for you.

 

Please note also that we’re just talking about cleaning upholstery fabric here. If you decide to do it yourself, remember to keep liquids and cleaning agents away from frames, legs, or armrests. The metal or wooden parts of your sofa or couch can corrode, discolor, rust, and even stain the upholstery if the liquids and cleaning agents get into them.

 

What are double rubs?

 

Upholstery cleaning also depends on the type of furniture fabric you have in terms of double rubs, which is the measure of how much use upholstery fabric can stand up to.

 

If the fabric is —

  • less than 3,000 double rubs, it’s designed for decorative use, like curtains, drapes, or pillows, but not for furniture fabric.
  • between 8,000 to 10,000 double rubs, it’s designed for light use and won’t withstand daily wear and tear.
  • between 10,000 to 25,000 double rubs, it’s designed for medium use. Most residential upholstery fabric belongs to this category. For high-durability residential use, the recommended standard is between 15,000 to 30,000 double rubs.
  • between 100,000 to 250,000 double-rubs, it’s commercial-grade upholstery fabric designed for heavy use like in airport terminals, hospital waiting areas, theatres, fast-food restaurants, and stadiums. For general contract commercial upholstery projects, 15,000 double-rubs is the minimum.

 

How to treat and clean these different types of fabrics require professional knowledge and long years of experience in the field of upholstery cleaning services so it’s best to hire one in Toronto.

 

Can I not clean my upholstery myself?

 

Yes, you can if you know what type of upholstery fabric you have and the proper way to clean it. In general, you can vacuum your sofa or couch regularly as DIY maintenance, but it is highly recommended that you have it professionally cleaned every 6 months, or at least once or twice every couple of years.

 

Some key benefits of professional cleaning services are:

  • longer furniture life for your sofa or couch;
  • better aesthetic appearance;
  • cleaner, fresher smell;
  • safer cleaning practices; and, most of all,
  • better air quality in your home and
  • a healthier environment for you and your family

 

Still, it all comes down to the 4 key factors you must consider in deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a professional cleaning service instead. These factors are cost, time, cleaning results, and removing deep stains.

 

For example, doing it yourself will certainly save you money, but if you don’t know how to do it properly, it might end up costing you more. Also, consider the value of your time and energy in doing it yourself vis-a-vis having a professional cleaner do it for you. Will you be more productive and earn more if you have a professional sofa and couch cleaner do it for you, or won’t you? Usually what you save in money will require more of your time, attention, and energy.

 

In terms of cleaning results and removing deep stains, will your home remedies and rented cleaning tools attain the thoroughly clean results you want and remove the deep stains from your upholstery fabric, or will a professional cleaning service be able to do it better?

More About Toronto Upholstery Cleaning

What can you expect in a professional upholstery cleaning process in Toronto?

When you have your upholstery/sofa/couches cleaned with a professional cleaner, it will generally go through a 7-step process:

Step 1: Arrival

After you call on them, they will arrive at your place and assess the situation. They will ask you about

  • What needs cleaning;
  • How many furniture pieces need cleaning; and
  • Where the dirt and stains are.

Then, they will recommend the best cleaning plan and discuss it with you. After you agree on the cleaning plan, they will estimate a quote for the job. Be specific about the details as it helps them give you an accurate quote for the job.

Step 2: Pre-inspection

Their fabric specialists will take time to inspect your sofa’s or couch’s upholstery type, physical defects, degree of stains, and colorfastness. This is needed for them to know which best and safest cleaning tools to employ for your upholstery.

Step 3: Deodorizing and sanitizing

The next step is for the cleaning specialists to deodorize and sanitize your sofa or couch from bacteria and other microbes lurking in them. This is usually necessary considering how very few people have their upholstery professionally cleaned regularly. Upholstery that already reeks of bad odor can be taken care of with expert deodorizing and sanitizing. These services, however, are optional, and they will discuss this with you if this is a necessary part of your cleaning plan.

Step 4: Proper cleaning

Proper cleaning takes three phases: pre-conditioning, dirt extraction, and professional spotting.

(1) Pre-conditioning involves applying a fabric conditioner to the upholstery to loosen the dirt and maximize the effectiveness of the next step.

(2) Dirt extraction involves extracting suspended dirt from the upholstery, after which the fabric is thoroughly rinsed, leaving it clean and fresh. While rinsing, the fabric is continually inspected for any more residue of dirt, which is further extracted when needed.

Most professional upholstery cleaning services in Toronto use a process called hot water extraction or steam cleaning, where their machine injects hot water and cleaning solution into your upholstery’s fibers to dislodge dirt hiding in there. Then, the dirt is sucked up by a powerful vacuum. This method is very effective in removing all the dirt and grime hiding the littlest nooks and crannies of your furniture without damaging the furniture material. This is effective for most upholstery that is made of natural fabrics like cotton and wool, synthetic, and combined. For very delicate fabrics like silk or linen, steam is regulated to avoid fabric damage.

Then, there is deep cleaning. Steam cleaning or hot water extraction is still used but with special additives for more rigorous and deeper cleaning.

Proper deep-cleaning of your upholstery accomplishes things that regular home vacuuming can’t, like:

  • eliminating allergens like pollen and dander;
  • eliminating odors
  • extending the life of upholstered furniture;
  • improving the brightness of fabric;
  • killing mold spores;
  • killing fleas, dust mites, and their eggs;
  • removing embedded dirt; and
  • removing stains and heavily soiled areas.

(3) Professional spotting involves treating spots that did not respond to the preconditioning and dirt extraction phases with specialized mild spotting solutions to blot out the stains. Spots are caused by food spills, accidents, and oil-induced stains from young kids and pets. 

Step 5: Upholstery protection

When you bought your furniture, it was covered by a thin, protective layer that insulated it from staining. However, over years of furniture use, that layer has worn out, leaving your furniture vulnerable. 

This is a highly recommended option you can choose to avail of. The protector helps protect the upholstery fabric from future spots, spills, and stains. It also saves you from future additional maintenance and cleaning costs. It helps your upholstery fabric last longer since it’s properly maintained this way. Ask your professional upholstery cleaner about this during the pre-inspection step.

Step 6: Grooming and brushing

Once the fabric is cleaned, powerful air movers are used to dry the upholstery fabric fast and put your furniture back into service sooner. Depending on the kind of cleaning plan used, ventilation, and temperature in the location, drying time can be from 2 to 6 hours. So, ensure that the room where the newly-cleaned furniture is is well-ventilated as this helps the furniture dry faster.

Step 7: Final inspection

After cleaning is complete, the cleaning specialists final-inspect the furniture to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned and in order before they endorse it back to you. You are also to final-inspect it and point out to them any issue which you want them to address. A good professional cleaner will address the issue and repeat the cleaning process for that issue without any additional charges.

How often should sofas/couches be cleaned?

The heavier the use, the more often the cleaning.

Generally, upholstery should be cleaned once or twice a year, or every six months if subjected to heavy use. If you have pets or very young children, every 4 to 6 months is recommended.

It’s also recommended to have all your upholstered furniture deep-cleaned at the same time. You can’t have one deep-cleaned furniture being with other not-yet-deep-cleaned furniture. The allergens, bacteria, dust, dirt, mites, and fleas will just be transferred to the deep-cleaned one as people in your home move around.

Is getting the sofa or couch cleaned worth it?

If you value your and your family’s health, if you want better air quality in your home, and if you want your sofa or couch to smell fresh, last long and still look good after many years, more than the cost it would take to hire a professional cleaning service– then yes, it is definitely worth it!

How do you keep your upholstery clean in between professional cleaning?

After your first professional upholstery cleaning, you can do yourself and your furniture a big favor by maintaining it well and keeping it clean, so you don’t have to hire professional cleaning services again sooner than expected. Here are tips on how to do this:

  • Prohibit smoking in the home, or at least in the room where the newly cleaned upholstery is, as upholstery can absorb cigarette smoke particles and make your sofa or couch not only dirty again but smell like an ashtray.
  • Have your room’s exhaust fans cleaned and dirty filters changed, too, as they transmit and circulate dust around.
  • Promptly clean up future spills and wipe the spots off with good spot-cleaning solutions. Ask your professional upholstery cleaner about this before they leave.
  • Regularly vacuum your furniture.
  • Schedule your next professional cleaning appointment with your upholstery cleaner in advance so you don’t forget about it.

How do you properly hire a professional upholstery cleaner?

In looking for the best upholstery cleaning service in Toronto for you, check your furniture warranty first. If your furniture is relatively new, it might still be under warranty, and having it cleaned might void it. It would be best to contact the manufacturer about it. Later on, when you finally decide on a professional cleaning service, ask them too about the warranty.

Next, come up with a shortlist of potential professional cleaning services in Toronto that would fit your needs and requirements. Suggested criteria would be their location and professional background and expertise. If they are too far away from you, it could add to the costs of their quote. Check out their background and experience. Ask trusted family, friends, and colleagues about them if the people you know have availed of their cleaning services.

Clarify for yourself also what you want cleaned, how many furniture pieces need cleaning, and where the stains and other problem areas are. You will need to provide this information to the professional cleaners you will contact for quotes. Once you have your shortlist of sofa and couch cleaning services in Toronto that you’d like to possibly service your furniture, contact them and ask for their quotes. They will ask you for the information you’ve prepared about your furniture, and will likely arrange a visit with you to assess the furniture’s condition themselves.

Describe the furniture pieces that need cleaning and treatment, inquire about the tools and chemical they use, and how they will use these on your furniture while ensuring that no damage occurs. Also inquire about:

  • their qualifications, licenses, and certifications;
  • the number of years of experience in the business;
  • their cleaning plans/procedures;
  • the cleaning plan/procedure they would recommend for your furniture given your upholstery fabric;
  • their cleaning solutions, what chemicals they use, and how safe these are especially for very young children, pets, and asthmatic members of the household (or office, if you’re having your office furniture cleaned);
  • do they offer stain protection and at what cost?
  • how long will the cleaning project take;
  • how long will the drying phase take and how soon you can use your furniture again;
  • do they charge by labor hour or per furniture piece?
  • do they offer discounts for multiple items?
  • do they offer warranties/guarantees and what do these warranties/guarantees cover? and
  • how their payment arrangements are.

Given their quotes, responses to your questions, and your general intuitive feel of which one you can trust, choose the professional cleaning service you will hire. Confirm with them your agreed upon cleaning specifications, costs, budget plan, payment arrangement, any warranties, and any add-ons. Have everything written down for easy reference later on. Review all details on a written agreement before you sign it.

Before the scheduled day of their cleaning, prepare your furniture and home (or office) by not having any major activities also scheduled that day. As much as possible, the people in your home or office should be out. If you have young children and pets, arrange for them to be taken care of elsewhere while cleaning is being done. For those who will be present, inform them of the cleaning schedule and how they must stay away from the cleaning area itself to avoid disturbing the cleaners and to protect themselves from the fumes of cleaning agents.

On the day of cleaning, arrange for having all the furniture that they will clean in a well-ventilated area that the other people in your household or office don’t have to use for that time. Monitor their progress to ensure that everything is getting cleaned within the time allotted as you agreed upon. During the final inspection step, inspect your furniture with them, too, to make sure that nothing was left uncleaned.. If you see any remaining uncleaned parts, bring it up with them so they can promptly fix it while they are still there.

After their cleaning service, file your signed agreement and all their receipts for future reference, the next time you have your furniture professionally cleaned again. Also make any notes on the file as to how satisfied you are with their service. This can guide you in the future on whether to avail of their cleaning service again or look for another. Include your shortlist of professional cleaners in the file, too, in case you decide on alternative options in the future.

Happy and Clean

We named our professional cleaning service company “Happy and Clean” to clearly put our intention and mission out there about providing excellent cleaning services to happy clients all over Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

We not only provide (Toronto) upholstery cleaning services for sofa and couch cleaning, but also for:

  • house cleaning;
  • commercial cleaning;
  • apartment and condo cleaning;
  • regular and on-going cleaning;
  • balcony cleaning;
  • spring cleaning;
  • cleaning for seniors;
  • cleaning services for Airbnb and short-term rental properties;
  • carpet cleaning;
  • mattress cleaning;
  • virus (CoViD) cleaning;
  • move-in and move-out cleaning;
  • and even gift cleaning — where you get to gift a loved one our professional cleaning services so they can take a break and enjoy more of their lives!

To answer some of the questions we’ve recommended above about the questions you ask any professional cleaning service before you hire them —

We are fully licensed and insured to operate anywhere in Toronto and in the GTA. Our services are available to anyone in Brampton, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Markham, Missisauga, North York, Oakville, and Scarborough. All our cleaners and cleaning teams undergo background checks before they are hired and professionally trained by us, to ensure that all your valuables are safe and secure when we’re in your homes and offices.

We’ve been in the professional cleaning business for some time now, with more than 60% of our clients as recurring clients — evidence of how happy and satisfied they are with the results we provide them.

We use state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and ecologically and environmentally friendly cleaning agents, so your people and pets are kept safe even while we do no harm to our natural environment.

We also cater to special request, emergency cleaning requests, and customized cleaning requests. All our cleaning services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We believe that nothing will make anyone happier than a clean space, and our clients must be happy with our services, as this is how our business continues to serve and flourish.

To answer all the other questions we’ve recommended, we’d appreciate personally hearing from you, so we can attend to your unique concerns and needs directly. 

To find out more about us and what we can do for you, please visit our FAQ here or contact us here. We would so love to answer all your questions!