From stains to odors, upholstered furniture comes with issues. Furniture can be pricey, and we don’t want to throw it away as soon as it gets dirty or smelly, so what can you do about it? Typically, when it comes to upholstery, the problems arise when improper cleaning methods are used, or the furniture isn’t getting cleaned as thoroughly as it needs to be. Keeping that in mind, let’s go over some of the common issues that come with upholstered furniture and what you can do about them.

Sofa Cleaning, Stain & Odor Removal Tips

1. A constant odor on couch. Homes with pets or smokers may find that smells seem to linger, and they don’t seem to go away no matter how much you clean your upholstery. These smells can seep through the material of the furniture and into the cushions. Deep cleaning is the solution for proper treatment of odors. You can try a sprinkle of baking soda to furniture, leave it overnight and vacuum the next day. This can help with light odors, but heavier odors will require special enzymatic cleaners.
2. Sofa stains that keep coming back. You may find that stains return after you’ve cleaned them. This happens when stains have penetrated all the way down. The surface can be cleaned, but the spot will return whenever it gets damp. This can happen with simple moisture in the air. The stain needs to be blotted until it’s completely gone. Saturate the area and blot with a clean cloth until the stain no longer appears. If the stain does come back, you will need deep down cleaning by professionals.
3. Dulling or fading of fabric color. Upholstered furniture can start to lose its sheen when cleaners have corrosive ingredients in them. Some cleaners can be abrasive and can affect upholstery. It’s best to use milder cleaners and clean more often. Cleaning more often prevents dust and stains from getting worked in, so you don’t need to use harsh cleaners.
4. A musty smell on upholstered furniture. When furniture doesn’t dry fast enough after it has been cleaned, a musty smell can develop due to bacteria growth. Whenever you clean upholstery you need to make sure the room is well ventilated and use a fan to get the furniture dry as quickly as possible. If you feel that you can’t extract all the moisture, then call professionals because the faster furniture dries, the less smelly it will be.
5. Warped upholstery. There are times when upholstery will warp after it has been cleaned. This is a good reason to hire professionals. Especially if you have expensive furniture that you don’t want to have issues with. Wool or other natural fibers in upholstery can warp when they get wet and may never dry the same way. This may lead to a call for repair.

Upholstery Cleaning & More in Long Beach, Santa Monica, Torrance, Santa Ana & Newport Beach, California

In many situations upholstery can be cleaned yourself if you use the right methods and cleaners. But if you’re not sure what those are or you are worried about any possible issues, contact CA Carpet Cleaning & Water Damage Clean-Up for expert upholstery cleaning.