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.


  1. If possible, remove the cushion covers.
  2. Wash cushion covers on a cold/gentle cycle or handwash (always check manufacturer’s instructions).
  3. Paying attention to every nook and crevice and using the attachments, thoroughly vacuum the entire couch.
  4. 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.
  5. Make a DIY sofa cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water.
  6. Spritz the upholstery until it is damp taking care not to oversoak or drench.
  7. 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 person is walking on a dirty rug in a living room.
by Agency Stack 18 June 2025
The mercury is dropping, and patchy rain persists as we say hello to winter our homes become a sanctuary from the elements. But while we try to stay warm and cosy inside, our carpets bear the brunt of winter. Wet shoes, muddy paws, and increased indoor activity all take their toll, leaving your flooring looking tired and stained by spring. So how can you protect your carpets through the colder months? As professional carpet cleaners in Christchurch , we see first-hand how simple preventative steps make a big difference. Here’s how to keep your carpets looking their best, and why winter is the perfect time to schedule a carpet clean. 1. Block the dirt at the door The first step in winter carpet care is to stop moisture and grime before it reaches your flooring. Place durable doormats at all entrances, inside and out. These trap excess dirt and moisture from shoes and boots. Consider runners in hallways and entryways to absorb additional water and protect from wear. If you have dogs, get into the habit of wiping their wet paws and fur on a towel when they come into the house, or restrict their access to upholstery and the carpeted spaces until their paws are dry. If you haven’t done so already, now’s a great time to enforce a no-shoes policy for your home. A basket of slippers by the door makes for easy swaps. It’s a simple habit that greatly reduces dirt being tracked across your carpets. 2. Shift furniture to spread wear In winter, we tend to spend more time in the home and at the same spots - lounging on the couch or working from a home office setup. Over time, this repeated use leads to visible wear patterns in your carpet. To avoid uneven fading and flattening, rearrange your furniture. Shifting the sofa, armchairs, or rugs even just slightly redistributes foot traffic and give well-worn areas a break. (Plus, it’s also a good opportunity to vacuum underneath furniture and check for dust and dirt build-up). If your furnishings are due for a refresh too, our upholstery cleaners ChCh team can help you get them looking and smelling like new again. 3. Vacuum more often Increased foot traffic and winter debris mean your vacuum needs to work harder. Whereas you may only need to vacuum once a week during the summer months, aim to vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week. This prevents dirt from becoming embedded deep in the carpet pile, which can be difficult to remove later and lead to permanent fibre damage. Again, if you have pets, bump up the frequency of vacuuming even further. The blend of pet hair and dander combine with the damp conditions – the perfect recipe for lingering unpleasant odours in carpets and upholstery. 4. Act fast on spills and stains Hot drinks, red wine, muddy boots - winter brings plenty of potential stain-makers into the home. Prompt spot cleaning is essential. Blot spills (don’t rub) and use a mild detergent or carpet-specific cleaner. Take extra care not to use too much water during the clean-up. Excessive moisture promotes mould and mildew, and in extreme cases water damages carpets . Call in the professionals. We offer expert carpet stain removal in Christchurch , tackling even the most stubborn marks with safe and effective methods which leave your carpets clean and dry. 5. Book a professional carpet clean A winter carpet clean might not be the first thing on your to-do list - but it should be. Deep cleaning removes not just the surface dirt, but allergens and bacteria too. If your household consists of young children, seniors or immunocompromised people, steam cleaning carpets is a great way to minimise risk of triggering respiratory issues. Our carpet cleaning services in Christchurch are ideal for freshening up your space mid-season or preparing for a post-winter reset.  At Christchurch Carpet Cleaning, we pride ourselves on delivering the best carpet cleaning in Christchurch NZ, with tailored solutions for every home or business. Book your winter carpet clean today and enjoy a fresher, healthier home all season long. Contact us now for a free quote or to schedule your appointment on 021 638 637 or email chchcarpetcleaningltd@gmail.com .
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As the days grow shorter and the chill starts to sets in, the natural reaction is to retreat indoors to stay warm and cosy. That means our homes’ soft furnishings – carpets, rugs, couches and armchairs – see a lot more action. Whether you're curling up with a book, binge-watching your favourite TV series, or entertaining guests, your carpets and upholstered furniture are a central feature of a winter lifestyle. But have you stopped to think about what they might be harbouring? Winter is one of the grubbiest times of year for soft furnishings – and that’s exactly why this is the perfect time to book in for upholstery and professional carpet cleaning in Christchurch . Why do carpets and upholstery get so dirty in winter? There are a few key reasons these essential fabrics become a magnet for grime in the cooler months: 1. More time indoors With the temperature dropping outside, it’s only natural to spend more time inside. The debris tramped in from outdoors typically has a higher water content, and the more frequently you use your couch and armchair , the quicker dirt and spills accumulate – especially on absorbent upholstery fabrics. 2. Winter clothing Coats, scarves, and boots carry in all sorts of mess, from rain and mud to fine dust and pet hair. As we come indoors after a trip outside, all that grime transfers onto the carpets and upholstery, whether as an obvious mark or the accumulation of grub over time, it’s there. 3. Poor ventilation and ‘dirty’ heating Closed windows and doors in winter reduce airflow, which means dust, moisture, and airborne particles have nowhere to go – except into your carpets and upholstery. On top of that, heating sources like wood burners and coal fires release fine soot, ash, and smoke particles into the air. These pollutants settle into your soft furnishings, which can make them look dull and dirty – and potentially affecting the air quality inside your home. 
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