26 July 2024

The 5 biggest upholstery cleaning mistakes: how many are you guilty of?

Soft furnishings are transformative, they change a house into a home and bring a room to life. Cushions, curtains, sofas, chairs, quilts and blankets add colour and texture; the fabric used to elevate the aesthetic of a living space. There are practical uses too – they are comfortable, warm and help minimise the noise of a busy family home.

Most soft furnishings are relatively easy to keep clean, whether it's a quick vacuum of the Roman blinds or throwing a cover into the washing machine. However, the larger pieces of upholstered furniture, like couches and armchairs, are more challenging to maintain despite their frequent use.

In addition to carpet cleaning, Christchurch Carpet Cleaning has specialist equipment for upholstery cleaning in Christchurch and surrounding areas. We often encounter sofas and chairs that have undergone DIY upholstery cleaning. To help you avoid terminally damaging your soft furnishings and the expense of replacing your furniture, we've compiled the five biggest mistakes people make:

1. Using the wrong cleaning products

Not all cleaning products are suitable for upholstery. Upholstery fabrics vary widely, from natural fibres like cotton and wool to synthetic blends, each require specific cleaning solutions. Many upholstery cleaners contain harsh chemicals that cause discoloration or degradation of the fabric if used on the wrong type.

Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations and test any cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area first. If you can’t identify the type of fabric, call your local sofa cleaning Christchurch company before you make an expensive mistake.

2. Over-wetting the fabric

Textiles are not designed to be soaked with water. Drenching fabrics is a critical mistake that can lead to water stains, shrinkage, and mould growth. Use a minimal amount of water and, if possible, employ a wet/dry vacuum to extract the excess moisture. You want to avoid the excess moisture from seeping into the padding beneath the fabric, which creates an ideal environment for mould and mildew to develop. You’ll also experience an unpleasant odour, which is rarely identified quickly as the source of the smell, permeating your home.

A person is cleaning a mattress with a yellow cloth.

3. Incorrect stain removal techniques

Stains on upholstery are a common occurrence, but using the wrong removal technique damages the fabric and set the stain permanently. Rubbing a stain vigorously pushes the stain deeper into the fibres and spreads it over a larger area. Blot the stain gently with a clean, white cloth to absorb as much of it as possible before treating with a suitable cleaner. If you are going to use a specialist stain remover, follow the instructions meticulously.

4. Neglecting to pre-test cleaning solutions

Failing to pre-test a cleaning solution can result in permanent damage to the fabric. Even if an upholstery cleaning product claims to be safe for all fabrics, there is always a risk of an adverse reaction.

Conduct a spot test on an inconspicuous area to check the cleaner does not cause discoloration, shrinking, or other damage. Allow the test spot to dry completely before proceeding with a full-scale cleaning.

5. Skipping regular maintenance

Don’t wait until your upholstery looks visibly dirty before cleaning it. Dust, dirt, and oils from skin and pets accumulate gradually over time. Regular vacuuming with an upholstery attachment removes surface dirt and prevents it from embedding deeper into the fabric. Scheduling professional sofa cleanings at least once a year, or more frequently to prolong the life of your furniture and keep it looking its best.

The importance of cleaning upholstery goes beyond aesthetics. Keeping furniture clean prevents impurities like mould, mites, and mildew and greatly improves indoor air quality. Dirty upholstered furniture harbours thousands of bacteria, germs, and allergens which, left untreated, causes serious health issues. Even though it’s time consuming and a pain to do, cleaning upholstery is one job that needs to be done – or alternatively call Christchurch Carpet Cleaning to do the job for you. Contact is today on 021 638 637 to make an appointment.

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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.