Do Upholstery Cleaning Yourself or Hire a Pro?
No matter your reason for needing it, upholstery cleaning can often be done or begun by doing it yourself. There are many instances in which a professional is needed, but see how you can achieve ideal outcomes in either case.
If you need to get stains out of a chair,
couch, or other furniture, one of the best things you can do is contact a professional upholstery cleaning company in your area and have it done right. However, not everyone can afford such a service and it simply isn't important enough to some people to achieve the level of perfection that a good company can provide. If you fall into one of those categories and just want to know how to get that ink or grass smear out of your sofa, here are some tips that can help you do just that.
Treat Quickly
One of the biggest benefits to getting a stain out yourself instead of relying on a professional upholstery cleaning company is that you can begin working immediately. In fact, even if you do intend to call such a company, you should do what you can right away on your own. The longer a stain stays in the fabric, the more difficult it will be to get it out. Depending on what the substance is and what type of fabric you have, it may be impossible to completely restore the fabric without replacing it altogether.
Identify the Fabric
Different types of fabric will require different method of upholstery cleaning. If you already know what a chair's seat is made out of, you won't need to go any further in your identification process. If you don't, however, you'll need to make a positive ID before moving forward. Many pieces of furniture come with a tag that identifies the fabric. Look for this first. If that isn't present, check with the manufacturer. If you don't know the manufacturer, try to find an expert that can identify the type. Why is this important? Certain fabrics, such as synthetics, are much easier to clean and tend to resist stains. Others, such as cotton, may be more of a challenge.
Getting Help
Even the most detailed article about getting rid of stains on your furniture is not going to apply to every situation. If you have any doubts about moving forward, you should definitely contact a professional upholstery company. Even if you don't intend to hire them, you may be able to ask them for some advice over the phone. Whether they'll be receptive to helping you or not, it won't hurt to ask. If you can't get any assistance there, call a fabric store and see if they have any associates well versed enough to help you in the process.
