That living room sofa has seen better days. Between snacks spilled by the kids, pet accidents, and years of TV binges, the upholstery is looking dingy. You know it’s time to clean furniture upholstery out for a deep clean, but how much does upholstery cleaning cost?
The costs can really vary based on furniture size, fabric type, stain level, and more. Remember, cleaning companies have different prices. Understanding the typical pricing and which factors affect your final bill is key for budgeting and deciding when to call in the pros. Don’t get sticker shock – read on to discover average and upholstery cleaning prices and costs so you know what to expect.
Average Costs for Upholstery Cleaning
According to HomeGuide, a leading home services cost guide, you can expect to pay the following ranges for professional upholstery cleaning depending on the type of furniture:
Sofa cleaning: $100 – $250
A standard-sized 8-foot sofa with fabric upholstery will generally cost between $100 on the low end for a light cleaning of a cover that is only lightly soiled up to $250 for a deeper clean of cushions and hard-to-remove stains from pets or spills on a larger or leather sofa with delicate fabric furniture.
Loveseat cleaning: $70 – $150
Due to its smaller size than a full sofa, professionally cleaning a loveseat will be a bit cheaper, running from an about average cost of $70 if it just needs surface cleaning to about $150 if it requires intensive stain treatment, deodorizing, and deeper cleaning.
Chair cleaning: $30 – $100
Upholstered armchairs and accent back dining chairs tend to be cheaper to clean than sectionals and sofas. Basic cleaning of a fabric dining room chair may start around $30, while a heavily stained oversized chair may be up to $100.
Sectional sofa: $120 – $400
Because of their large size, sectional sofas are more expensive to clean thoroughly, averaging between $120 on the low end for a basic once-over to upwards of $400 if the large sectional is very dirty and difficult stains need addressing or if it has premium leather or delicate upholstery.
Of course, real-world pricing will vary based on size, fabric, and how dirty the upholstery is. Delicate fabrics and heavily soiled pieces will be at the higher end.
Homeowners report paying an average of $189 for living room upholstery cleaning and $135 for a dining room-sized chair set. Auto detailing shops typically charge $50 – $150 for car seat cleaning.
Upholstery Cleaning Cost Factors
Several factors impact how much professional upholstery cleaning will cost you:
Size of furniture – Larger items like sectionals, oversized chairs, and king headboards require more time, materials, and effort to clean thoroughly. Their size makes cleaning prices higher than cleaning something compact like an ottoman.
Fabric material – Delicate fabrics like silks, antique textiles, or intricately patterned materials take more care, specialized cleaning solution, and time to clean properly. These increase costs over durable microfibers.
The heaviness of soiling – The more embedded dirt, stains, pet hair, and debris in upholstery fibers, the more intensive the cleaning process needs to be which adds to costs. Light surface dirt is cheaper than heavy buildup.
Location – Prices are often lower for in-shop cleaning since it saves travel costs. On-site cleaning at your home is more for convenience but comes at a premium.
Protective treatments – Optional services like stain guarding with Scotchguard or other fabric protection add to the total cost but can be wise for heavy-use items.
Add-ons like deodorizer – Any extra services above basic cleaning like pet urine treatments or deodorizing will add to the bill. Avoid unneeded add-ons.
Amount of furniture – The more upholstered pieces needing cleaning, the longer it will take. Multi-chair dining sets or several sofas will cost more than a single item.
Understanding these cost factors helps you better compare estimates. Decline unneeded add-ons to save.
DIY Upholstery Cleaning Cost
If you want to save money by cleaning your upholstered furniture yourself, here are the typical costs involved:
- Rental carpet cleaner: $30-$60 per day. You’ll need to rent a specialized carpet cleaning machine that includes an upholstery attachment and suction. Prices vary by rental facility. Reserve in advance.
- Cleaning solutions: $20. Purchase a cleaner made specifically for upholstery rather than a regular carpet cleaner. Look for versatile options safe for various fabrics. Buy an adequate amount for the size of your furniture.
- Your time: Hours of effort. Factor in the hands-on time you’ll have to spend maneuvering the cleaner over the furniture, treating stains, changing out cleaning solutions, moving cushions, etc. It can take hours to fully clean just one sofa.
- Total: $50+ and your labor. The rental equipment and cleaning products will cost around $50 or more depending on how much solution you require. But you also have to put in considerable physical effort and time.
While DIY upholstery cleaning costs less than calling in the pros, there is a major trade-off in the labor time invested. And without the right equipment, solutions other materials, and techniques, you also risk causing damage or getting poor cleaning results. Weigh costs vs effort.
Professional vs DIY Upholstery Cleaning
Professional Cleaning
- Cost: $100+ depending on furniture. Professional upholstery cleaning services will charge $100 or more depending on the size and fabric of the furniture. Large delicate pieces will be towards the higher end. But you get specialized solutions and expertise.
- Convenience: Done for you. With professional cleaning, you avoid having to do the hands-on work yourself. They handle the cleaning from start to finish.
- Quality: Deep clean & quick dry. Commercial equipment and cleaners mean professional services can deep clean better and dry fabrics quickly to avoid mold or shrinkage.
- Risk: Lower – less damage. Professionals are trained on proper techniques for various fabrics so there is less risk of damaging furniture versus DIY mistakes.
DIY Cleaning
- Cost to clean: $50 for rental and supplies. You’ll spend about $50 to rent an upholstery cleaner and buy the cleaning solutions. Less expensive than pro services.
- Convenience: Major time/effort. Expect to spend hours maneuvering the equipment and getting down into crevices in a hands-on process requiring strength and patience.
- Quality: Inconsistent results. Without the right equipment and skill, DIY cleaning can leave upholstery uneven, discolored, or with leftover suds.
- Risk: Higher – potential damage. Making errors in cleaning methods with harsh chemicals or too much moisture increases the risks of permanent damage like shrinkage or stains.
While DIY saves on the cost of cleaning up, professional cleaning is generally better for nice upholstery unless you have equipment and experience.
Here is a section on upholstery steam cleaning:
Furniture Upholstery Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a common professional upholstery cleaning method. It involves using a specialized steam cleaning machine to inject hot, pressurized steam into fabrics. The steam cleaner loosens dirt, kills dust mites, and removes stubborn stains from deep in the fibers. Built-in vacuums extract the grime.
Benefits of Steam Cleaning Upholstery:
- Sanitizes and disinfects by killing bacteria, bed bugs, and dust mites with hot steam.
- Lifts out deep, set-in stains that other methods can’t reach.
- Removes musty odors and refreshes upholstery.
- Dries quickly, usually within a few hours.
- Safe for most fabric types besides silks or delicate antiques.
What to Expect:
Professionals use truck-mounted units or portable steam cleaners specially designed for upholstery cleaning. The process involves pre-treating heavy stains, steaming fabrics while agitating with a soft brush, and immediately extracting dirty water with suction.
Costs:
Expect to pay $100 or more for steam cleaning standard furniture depending on size and staining levels. Larger items like sectionals may be up to $300+. Additional services like deodorizing or stain protection also add to costs.
When To Consider a Professional Upholstery Cleaning Company
Maintaining your upholstered furniture helps it last longer and saves you money over time. Consider professional cleaners here:
- Heavy staining that has set in over time
- Pet accidents and embedded odors
- Accumulated dirt and oils in fabric fibers
- Flattened, matted fabric that needs reviving
- Built-up pollen, dust mites, or allergens
- Smoke odors from fires or cigarettes
- Discoloration or faded spots
- Cracked, brittle leather
- Valuable antique or vintage furniture
Don’t let stains set. Clean spills promptly when they happen. For a thorough refresh, yearly or bi-yearly professional cleaning restores fibers extends furniture life, and keeps your home looking its best.
Upholstery Cleaning Cost Tips
To get the best value:
- Shop around and get quotes from a few companies before deciding
- Point out stains so they can be treated properly
- Remove cushions and covers yourself to save on labor fees
- Move furniture yourself for in-shop cleaning savings
- Bundle services to get a multi-piece discount
- Avoid unneeded add-ons like fabric protection
- Discuss the fabrics to ensure proper methods and solutions are used
- For DIY, start on hidden undersides first to practice the technique
A small investment in professional upholstery cleaning pays off for years of stain-free and fresh-smelling furniture you can feel good about. Just be sure to get an itemized quote so there are no surprises when the bill comes. With a little savvy, you can get those dingy chairs and sofas shining again affordably.
To Sum Up
The costs for professional upholstery cleaning can vary widely depending on the fabric, size of furniture or multiple pieces used, and extent of staining or soiling needing removal. Prices range from $30 to clean a single dining room chair to over $400 for intensive cleaning of a large sectional sofa made from delicate material. Leather furniture also demands higher specialized cleaning typically starting around $100.
Factors like heavy staining requiring excess effort for stain removal, or the use of specialty chemical cleaning solutions and steam cleaning methods impact pricing as well. Overall, professional services yield better results than DIY methods which only cost around $50 for rental equipment and cleaning solutions. But DIY requires much more physical effort and risks potential damage if proper techniques for your furniture’s fabrics are not followed.
To keep upholstery looking its best while avoiding damage, annual or bi-yearly professional cleaning is recommended for heavily used pieces. Delicate antiques may only need professional dry cleaning every 2-3 years. Always blot spills immediately and vacuums regularly between professional dry clean showings. With some care and strategic professional service, your upholstered furniture can stay fresh and last for years to come.
