5 Upholstery Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Sitting back and relaxing on a comfortable couch is easy, but giving it a proper spruce-up can be a completely different matter. Of course, to keep your upholstery in mint condition, you’re best off getting a professional upholstery cleaning service in Dublin, but what homeowner hasn’t been tempted to try and do it on their own? Unfortunately, when people do so, they often make mistakes that end in unsatisfying results, or even worse, they end up damaging their furniture for good. 

To spare you the risk of ruining your furniture, we’ve gathered a list of the most common upholstery cleaning mistakes, and provided key advice on how you can avoid them. Read on to learn more!

What are the most common upholstery cleaning mistakes?

Knowing how to effectively clean upholstered furniture is not an easy task and using inappropriate cleaning practices can even compromise your furniture’s longevity. In order not to damage it, here’s what you should avoid:

  1. Not knowing your fabric

Different fabrics call for different maintenance tools and techniques. Some fabrics tolerate water, while others don’t and some of them might not even be suitable for DIY cleaning. The same goes for any cleaning agents you decide to apply. If you choose the wrong one, you run the risk of damaging the material.

  1. Scrubbing the fabric to remove stains

If you’re trying to think of reasons to get upholstery cleaned professionally, then you don’t need to think any more! Not only can you tear the fibers by scrubbing the surfaces too harshly, but you can also push the stain and moisture deeper into the padding, making them even harder to clean and causing permanent damage to the piece.

  1. Excessive use of water

A common mistake people make when cleaning upholstered furniture is using excessive amounts of water. Not only is it difficult to get water stains out of upholstery, but the deeper it penetrates into the furniture, the longer it will take for it to completely dry. And prolonged dampness often results in mould formation.

  1. Not letting the furniture dry thoroughly

As already mentioned, not allowing your upholstery to dry appropriately can cause mould stains and damage to your furniture. This won’t only affect the looks of it, but it can also become a health hazard.

  1. Overexposure to sunlight

You might think that leaving your furniture to dry in direct sunlight is a good idea and that it will speed up the process, but it’s actually a mistake. Sunlight is likely to cause the colours of your furniture to fade. 

How to avoid common mistakes when cleaning upholstery?

Now that you know what the most common mistakes are, here’s what you should do to avoid them:

  • Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations to see what type of cleaners you can use.
  • Avoid reaching for harsh household chemicals that are not designed to clean upholstery.
  • Spot-test all cleaning agents before applying them to the fabric, even if they are upholstery-specific.
  • Avoid soaking the furniture with water and use small amounts of distilled water instead.
  • Allow plenty of time for the fabric to completely dry, keeping it away from direct sunlight before you start using it again.
  • Know when to call the pros to handle the job safely.

How can I schedule the most reliable upholstery cleaning service in Dublin?

If you’re looking for professional service providers to breathe new life into your badly stained upholstered furniture, don’t hesitate to contact Emerald Carpet Cleaning. You can use our online platform to schedule a service in a matter of seconds and count on our 7 days a week availability to meet your cleaning needs. Spend a day with your loved ones in Irishtown Nature Park while our trained experts use their skill to make your furniture look and feel just like new again. Reach out to us today!