21 April 2024

Unveiling the dirty truth: it’s time to clean your sofa

If you had to name the dirtiest place in your home, where would you say? The kitchen? The bathroom? These areas of the home are top of the list, but they tend to be diligently cleaned because they are famed as harbourers of bacteria, germs and allergens. However, one place that is often overlooked is upholstered furniture which surprisingly, if left untreated, is equally as likely to cause health problems.

Unclean upholstery is a breeding ground for allergy triggers such as dust mites, pollen, and moulds, which cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions in humans and pets. Cleaning upholstery removes these hazardous microbes, creating a healthier indoor environment for your family. While professional upholstery cleaning services deliver the best visual and hygiene results, you can clean your upholstered furniture between professional cleanings.

7 Steps to clean a fabric couch and chairs

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions and the fabric care codes before undertaking any upholstery cleaning. It’s crucial the recommended cleaning methods are followed for the specific fabric. Fabric care codes include:

· W for water-based cleaning

· S for solvent based cleaning

· WS for water or solvent-based cleaning

· X denotes professional upholstery cleaning only.

Note: the steps below should only be followed for upholstery displaying W or WS fabric care codes.

If possible, remove the cushion covers.
Wash cushion covers on a cold/gentle cycle or handwash (always check manufacturer’s instructions).
Paying attention to every nook and crevice and using the attachments, thoroughly vacuum the entire couch.
Sprinkle bicarb over the sofa and leave for half an hour before vacuuming the residue. For stubborn stains and grubby ‘high traffic’ areas such as the arms or where the dog sits, you can make a bicarb paste. The bicarb’s mild abrasive nature helps lift stains but also neutralises odours.
Make a DIY sofa cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water.
Spritz the upholstery until it is damp taking care not to oversoak or drench.
Using a dry, lint-free cloth, wipe the soiled sofa fabric surface and allow to air dry

A living room with a yellow couch and a lamp.

It’s important to clean all areas of the sofa at the same time to maintain the consistency of colour and texture. If you are unsure how best to clean the fabric, do not second guess, it’s time to call in the professionals – affordable upholstery cleaning in Christchurch is always going to be cheaper than a new couch!

What are the benefits of having your upholstery and sofa professionally cleaned?

No need to do it yourself: you don't have to worry about handling the cleaning yourself, saving you time and effort while knowing your sofa is being thoroughly cleaned to a gold standard and with minimum to disruption.

Specialist equipment and techniques: Professional technicians use the latest equipment and cleaning techniques to achieve the best results so your upholstery is restored.

Visual refresh: the cleaning process not only makes the upholstery clean and hygienic, but it revitalises the fibre structure and colour of the fabric.

Extended lifespan: removing engrained dirt and spills prevents the premature wear and tear of your furniture.

Improved indoor air quality: the elimination of impurities like moulds, mites, and mildew and other allergy triggers improves the air quality.

Comfortable living environment: relaxation and peace of mind is more easily obtained when your home is a comfortable living environment for you and your family.

If you're in need of professional upholstery cleaning services in CHCH, New Zealand, call Christchurch Carpet Cleaning on 021 638 637 to schedule an appointment. It’s a good idea to clean your carpets at the same time so you can experience the difference a complete deep clean can make to your home.

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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.