Professional Upholstery Cleaning: What You Need to Know Before Booking

Upholstery Cleaning: Professional Tips for Perfectly Clean Furniture

Sofas and armchairs are the most-used pieces of furniture in any household. We sit on them every day, eat, watch TV, relax with pets — and all of this leaves traces. Coffee stains, sweat, dust, dust mites, pet hair, and food crumbs gradually build up in the upholstery, turning your sofa into a breeding ground for allergens. Regular upholstery cleaning is not just an aesthetic issue — it is a matter of hygiene and the health of your whole family.

Upholstery Fabric Types and Proper Care

Textile upholstery (polyester, microfibre, cotton): The most common type. Absorbs liquids and odours easily. Vacuum regularly with an upholstery attachment. Treat stains immediately — the longer they sit, the harder they are to remove. Most textile covers can be cleaned with a water-based upholstery cleaner.

Leather and faux leather: Absorbs less liquid but requires special care — see our article on leather furniture cleaning. Never use all-purpose cleaners — they will damage the surface.

Suede and alcantara: Very delicate materials. For home cleaning use only dry methods (special rubber brush, dry cleaning spray). Leave wet cleaning to professionals.

Wool and wool blends: Wash only in cold water, avoid chlorine bleach. Professional cleaning once a year is ideal.

When It Is Time for Professional Cleaning

General rule: professional deep cleaning is recommended every 12–18 months. If you have young children, pets, or allergy sufferers at home, double the frequency. Clear signs it is time to call the professionals:

• The cover has changed colour (greyed, yellowed)
• The sofa smells even after airing
• Visible stains that home remedies could not remove
• Family members' allergic reactions (sneezing, itching) worsen at home
• You have a pet — hair and allergens settle deep in the upholstery

Extraction (Inject-and-Extract) Method — The Gold Standard

Professional upholstery cleaning typically uses the extraction method. The principle: a cleaning solution (hot water plus a specialist agent) is injected under pressure into the upholstery, dissolving dirt. The solution and dissolved contaminants are then extracted with powerful suction. Benefits:

• Deep cleans — removes dirt from all upholstery layers
• Eliminates allergens, dust mites, and their droppings
• Neutralises odours (not just masks them)
• Safe for most textile materials
• Sofa is dry within 4–6 hours

Removing Common Stains — Home Tips

Coffee and tea: Blot immediately with a dry cloth (do not rub — just dab). Then apply a baking soda and water paste (1:3), leave 15 minutes, wipe with a damp cloth.

Wine: Sprinkle with salt to absorb the liquid. After 10 minutes vacuum and treat with 3 % hydrogen peroxide mixed with washing-up liquid.

Pet hair: A damp rubber glove — run it over the surface and the hair will clump together. Then vacuum.

Urine odour (children, pets): An enzymatic cleaner is the only truly effective solution. Standard products mask the smell but do not eliminate it.

How Much Does Professional Upholstery Cleaning Cost

Price depends on size and material. As a guide: two-seater sofa CZK 1,200–1,800, corner sofa CZK 2,000–3,500, armchair CZK 600–1,000. The price includes travel, cleaning agents, and full extraction cleaning. See our detailed pricing page. We also offer special whole-apartment packages — check out services in Prague 5.