28 October 2024

Expert Couch Care Tips: Sofa Shampoo vs. Steam Clean

Sofas have evolved. Changing from simply being a functional piece of furniture to sit and relax on into a statement element of a home’s interior design scheme. They play an integral role in creating the ambiance of a home while accommodating the needs of the household. Whether you live in a sprawling house or a more compact urban apartment, it’s important to keep your couch in top shape to ensure comfort and longevity is maintained. But when it comes to deep cleaning upholstery, which method is best: shampooing or steam cleaning?

Shampooing a sofa: a surface refresh

Shampooing involves applying a specialised foam or lather to the upholstery, which is then vacuumed or wiped off. While it’s often effective for surface-level cleaning, shampooing does not reach deep into the fibres like steam cleaning.

Pros of shampooing:

Effective light stain removal: if you’re dealing with light stains, shampooing can successfully target and remove them effectively, leaving your couch looking fresher.

Quick freshening: shampooing often leaves your couch smelling clean and looking rejuvenated.

Low-cost sofa cleaning: if you’re on a budget and looking for a cheap way to clean your sofa, shampooing can be an affordable option.

Cons of shampooing:

Residual build-up: some shampoos leave behind residues that attract more dirt over time if not thoroughly rinsed or vacuumed. The line between rinsing and soaking is thin, so care must be taken to not drench the sofa.

Surface-level clean: unlike steam cleaning, shampooing does not deliver a deep clean. It is not effective for heavily soiled or allergen-prone fabrics. Sofa shampoos are poor detergents and bury dirt instead of removing it.

Chemicals in sofa cleaners: upholstery shampoos contain a variety of chemicals: foaming agents including sodium lauryl sulphate, anti-resoiling additives, and optical brighteners to name a few. Always read the label and follow the manufacturers advice. You may need to keep pets and small children off the couch for a set period.

A living room with a couch and a coffee table.

Steam cleaning: a deep clean powerhouse

Sofa cleaning with steam is comparable with professional carpet cleaning. It is a method that uses hot water extraction to deeply cleanse upholstery. It works by infusing hot water and cleaning agents into the fabric, followed by suction to remove dirt and moisture. Steam cleaning doesn’t just refresh your couch; it’s designed to penetrate deeply, making it ideal for heavily stained or allergen-prone fabrics.

Pros of steam cleaning upholstery:

Thorough deep clean: steam cleaning penetrates deep into the fabric, pulling out any dirt, dust mites, and bacteria trapped in the fibres.

Eco-friendly: as a professional couch cleaning service, Christchurch Carpet Cleaning only uses non-toxic cleaning agents, so it’s safe for the environment, pets and humans alike.

Allergy control: the high temperatures of hot water extraction kill bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens, so if anyone in your household suffers from allergies, steam cleaning removes the triggers and alleviates symptoms.

Cons of steam cleaning your sofa:

Drying time: after steam cleaning, your couch will likely remain damp up to 5 hours, meaning you’ll need to plan ahead if you need to use your couch soon after. However, this only applies to DIY sofa steam cleaning. Professional sofa cleaners in Christchurch only employ enough moisture to loosen dirt and stains so there is no water damage to the material or padding. Plus, they have the benefit of using professional steam cleaning equipment to speed up the drying process to touch dry.

Fabric sensitivity: not all upholstery materials are suitable for steam cleaning. Wet cleaning can cause permanent damage to fabrics without proper training and experience, especially for delicate textiles. Always consult a professional upholstery cleaner or check the care tag on your sofa to avoid damage of the fabric.

Why a professional upholstery cleaner is best for you and your couch

While both steam cleaning and shampooing can be done with rental equipment or DIY methods, professional upholstery cleaners are qualified, experienced and have the specialist sofa cleaning equipment to deliver outstanding results. Professionals assess your couch’s fabric and recommend the best sofa cleaning method to achieve a deep, longer-lasting clean without risk to your sofa.

No matter which upholstery cleaning method you choose, regular maintenance, including vacuuming and cushion rotation, will keep your couch looking and feeling its best for years to come. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Christchurch Carpet Cleaning contact us today or call 021 638 637.

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A dirty carpet in a room with a radiator.

Stain alive: how a deep carpet clean can save your carpet

28 April 2025

There’s nothing like the thought of having to replace a tired, stained or fading carpet to drain your colour; the prospect of a big-ticket expense is rarely welcome. But before you rip up your carpet and start a fresh, you maybe lucky, a professional carpet clean can work wonders to bring carpets back to life saving you the cost and hassle of replacing. Is it damaged or a dirty carpet? First things first: is your carpet truly worn out, or just in need of a deep clean? It’s easy to mistake a dull, grubby appearance for permanent damage, but more often than not, embedded dirt and grime are to blame. High-traffic areas, especially in homes with pets or kids, can quickly become discoloured. In commercial spaces, daily footfall can leave carpets looking tired far sooner than they actually are. A visit from a team offering expert carpet cleaning in Christchurch NZ lift stains, remove odours, and revive carpet fibres, leaving it looking significantly better, and your money in your wallet. Age and the quality of the carpet matter Carpet doesn’t last forever. But with regular maintenance and professional cleaning, many carpets can last a good 10 to15 years or more. The higher-quality materials like wool respond better to cleaning and last longer than cheaper carpet options. If your carpet is still within its expected lifespan, a deep clean from an affordable carpet cleaning Christchurch provider extends its life for years to come. However, if your carpet is showing signs of wear such as frayed fibres, bare patches, or delamination (the separation of the different layers of carpet which looks like wrinkles or ripples), it might be time to consider replacing it. Christchurch Carpet Cleaning assess all carpets before cleaning them, not only to deliver realistic expectations of what can be achieved, but also because there can be underlying causes such as flood damage or improper installation which need to be addressed as a priority. Cleaning can't reverse physical damage, but it can restore surface appearance. Dirty carpets: there’s more than meets the eye Think about what your carpet is exposed to every day. Pets, children, work boots, or food and drink spills all take a toll. Getting carpets cleaned, for either residential or commercial carpet cleaning , enhances the look and feel of your floors but also removes the nasties that reside on them. Allergens, bacteria, and moulds impact our health, and hot water extraction is a highly effective way to remove them to create a healthier environment for your family or employees. When in doubt give Christchurch Carpet Cleaning a shout If you’re unsure whether cleaning or replacing is right for your carpet, book a consultation with Christchurch Carpet Cleaning . We’ll organise a specialist in professional carpet cleaning to assess your floors and recommend the most cost-effective, safe and practical approach. Even carpets you thought were beyond saving can be dramatically improved with the right techniques. Christchurch Carpet Cleaning also offer additional options such as sofa cleaning, upholstery cleaning services , and rug cleaning in Christchurch, allowing you to freshen up your entire space in one go. Before you spend thousands of dollars on a new carpet, explore your options with the best carpet cleaning Christchurch has to offer. Whether it’s for your home or business, our carpet cleaning Christchurch services are designed to breathe new life into tired carpets - saving you money, time, and stress. Ready to transform your floors? Book an appointment today, call 021 638 637.