Upholstery cleaning

Which fabrics can be steam cleaned?

Most synthetic upholstery (polyester, nylon, olefin, microfibre) cleans very well with hot water extraction. Cotton and linen blends clean well with care around shrinkage and browning. Wool takes cooler water. Velvet needs the pile reset while damp. Silk, some rayon blends and fabrics with a manufacturer code of "S" (solvent only) or "X" (vacuum only) are not candidates for wet cleaning and Grant will say so on the walk-through. Look for the cleaning code tag under a cushion: W, S, W/S or X. Bring it up when you book if you know it.

What comes out, and what does not?

Common upholstery problems and the realistic outcome

Problem	Usual result	Notes
Body oils on arms and headrests	Removed	The most common reason a sofa looks tired. Pre-treated and rinsed.
Food and drink spills	Usually removed	Old, heat-set or dye-based spills (red wine, curry) may leave a shadow.
Pet hair and dander	Removed	Vacuumed and extracted; odour treated if present.
Pet urine	Treated	Needs a specific pre-treatment. See pet stain and odour removal.
Ink, marker, dye transfer from jeans	Partial to permanent	Told to you honestly before we start.
Sun fading and fabric wear	Not fixable by cleaning	Cleaning reveals wear that soil was hiding. We point this out first.

How long does upholstery take to dry?

Longer than carpet, because cushions are thick. Plan on several hours to overnight depending on the fabric and the room's airflow. We stand cushions on edge and leave them so air reaches both faces. Do not put throws or covers back on until fully dry.

Is it worth cleaning an older sofa?

If the frame and cushions are sound, almost always. A professional clean is a fraction of the price of replacing a good piece, and the result on the damask chair in the photograph, which had never been cleaned, is typical rather than exceptional.