12 November 2023

Upholstery cleaning and how to restore the look of a sofa

If your couch is looking like it’s seen better days, you may have that sinking feeling that often accompanies a big-ticket expense. Not only is buying a new sofa a significant investment, but it can also feel like an endurance test. How many sofas will you sit on before you find one that is as comfortable? How many swatches of material will you compare before you find one to complement your interior design? Should you replace the chairs too? Once a decision has been made, how many weeks will it take to be delivered?

So rather than falling down the rabbit hole, why not restore your current sofa? As long as the frame is not damaged, it can be more economical, time and sanity saving to take these highly effective steps to improve the look of your sofa.

Step #1 Call your local upholstery cleaners

The term ‘upholstery’ refers to the materials fixed to parts of furniture. These are soft coverings that provide cushioning for added comfort and includes dining chairs, ottomans and foot stools as well as sofas and couches. Just like clothes and carpets need a deep clean, upholstery require regular deep cleaning

Sofas are not just used for sitting. We lie on them, eat and sleep on them, which means they get grubby over time, especially when children and pets are in the home too. From skin particles and animal dander, through to food and drink, dust and dirt, the fabric of upholstery becomes host to a collection of embedded debris that leaves it looking less than its best. Professional sofa cleaners use specialist equipment eco-friendly advanced products to get rid of all kinds of household stains including greasy fingerprints, urine, coffee, red wine and soy sauce.

a person cleaning a blue couch with a vacuum cleaner

Step #2 Fix the couch shape

After numerous Netflix marathons over the years, your sofa maybe suffering from a mid-life sag and drooping cushions – this immediately ages the couch. While the springs may require professional attention, inserting a custom-cut length of plywood on the decking under the cushions is a quick, cheap and easy fix. Cover the board material to prevent friction pilling on the cushions. Similarly, replacing flattened seat cushions dramatically improves the look of the sofa.

Step #3 Use a fabric shaver

If you have ever owned a wool sweater, you will be familiar with pilling. It is those aggravating balls of fluff found under the armpit or around the cuff. Caused by everyday wear and tear, they are a collection of tangled broken threads which clump together – and they can also occur on sofas.

Upholstery made from one type of thread tends to suffer from pilling more than sofas covered in a blend of materials. Although small on stature, once pilling is established it makes a sofa look shabby, quickly. The solution is to use a fabric shaver, just as you would for a sweater – a quick and easy way to restore the look of your sofa.

Professional couch cleaning in Christchurch is an affordable and quick solution to refresh your sofa while simultaneously extending its lifespan. While using hot water extraction, the ingrained particles that damage fabric fibres are eliminated, and the risk of premature wear and tear significantly reduced. It’s the first step in successful sofa restoration.

Christchurch Carpet Cleaning serves Canterbury. We offer carpet cleaning services but also affordable sofa cleaning, too. If you would like us to assess your sofa to see if it is a good candidate for professional upholstery cleaning, drop us a line or call 021 638 637.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Get a FREE Quote

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.