How to Maintain Upholstery Between Professional Cleanings | Expert Furniture Care Guide

We recommend vacuuming upholstery at least once per week for households without pets, and twice per week for homes with dogs or cats. In high-use rooms where the sofa sees heavy daily activity (family rooms, media rooms), increasing to three times per week provides the best protection. The key is consistency — a light weekly vacuum is far more beneficial than an occasional heavy session. Use the upholstery attachment (not the beater bar), work in slow, overlapping strokes, and do not forget the crevices, armrests, and the deck under the cushions.

Handheld steam cleaners can be useful for certain fabric types, but they come with significant risks that many homeowners overlook. Steam is effective for killing dust mites, sanitizing fabric, and refreshing appearance — but the high moisture content can cause water marks on silk, linen, and other delicate fabrics, can over-wet cushions leading to mold growth inside, and can shrink cotton and natural fiber fabrics. If your fabric has a "W" or "WS" code and is a durable synthetic like polyester or microfiber, light steaming is generally safe. For "S" or "X" code fabrics, never use steam. Our advice: save the steam cleaning for professionals who know how to manage moisture levels and drying times for each specific fabric.

In our professional opinion: yes, for most fabric types, fabric protector is one of the best investments you can make in your furniture's longevity. We have tracked customer data across thousands of cleanings, and furniture with active fabric protection consistently shows less staining between visits, cleans up more easily during professional cleaning, and maintains its original appearance significantly longer. The cost of professional protector application typically ranges from $30–$75 per piece and lasts 12–18 months. Compare that to the cost of replacing a stained sofa, and it is a clear value. The main exception: some natural fabrics (like unfinished silk) and certain leather types should not receive chemical protectors — we always assess and advise on a case-by-case basis.

For mild pet odors, sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface, let it sit for 15–20 minutes (no longer), then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda absorbs odors from the fabric surface. For stronger odors, an enzyme-based pet cleaner like Nature's Miracle applied lightly to the affected area (following label instructions) breaks down the organic compounds that cause odor. For persistent or deep-seated pet odors that survive these treatments, the odor source has penetrated into the cushion fill or frame padding, and home treatments will only mask it temporarily. In that case, professional extraction is needed to reach the odor at its source. Our pet stain and odor removal service specifically targets these deep-set issues.

Cushion sagging has two potential causes: fill material compression and support structure failure. Regular maintenance (rotating and flipping cushions monthly, reshaping down and feather fills, allowing cushions to rest by alternating seating positions) addresses the fill compression component and can significantly slow sagging. However, if the foam cores have permanently deformed or the sofa's webbing and springs have stretched, no amount of surface maintenance will restore the shape. In those cases, options include replacing the foam inserts (a cost-effective solution many homeowners do not realize is available), having the webbing re-tied, or replacing the sofa. During professional cleaning, our technicians can assess your cushion condition and advise you honestly on whether maintenance or replacement is the better investment.

Baking soda is generally safe for most upholstery fabrics when used correctly, but there are important caveats. It works best as a short-duration odor absorber: sprinkle a thin layer, leave for 15–20 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly with an upholstery attachment. Do not leave baking soda on fabric for extended periods (hours or overnight), as it can dry out natural fibers and be very difficult to fully remove from deep pile fabrics like velvet. Do not wet the baking soda on the fabric to create a paste — this can cause white residue staining. Avoid baking soda on dark silk and velvet fabrics, where fine white particles can become trapped in the pile. For leather upholstery, do not use baking soda at all — it is abrasive and can scratch the finish.

With our professional hot water extraction process and high-powered drying equipment, most upholstery is dry to the touch within 2–4 hours and fully dry within 6–8 hours. Factors that affect drying time include fabric density and thickness, ambient humidity levels (Seattle's climate can extend drying times in winter), airflow in the room, and cushion fill type (down and feather fills hold moisture longer than foam). We always set up air movers when needed and provide specific drying guidance after every service. You can speed drying by opening windows (in dry weather), running ceiling fans, or turning on your HVAC system's fan setting. Avoid sitting on the furniture until it is fully dry to prevent body oils from transferring to clean, damp fibers.

This is a question we get frequently, and we will give you an honest answer. Rental machines can work for basic carpet cleaning, but they are generally not recommended for upholstery. The suction power of rental units is a fraction of professional equipment, meaning more water stays in your fabric and cushions (creating mold and odor risk). Rental machines also lack the fine-tuned pressure control needed for delicate upholstery fabrics, and the cleaning solutions included are often generic. The risk of water damage, shrinkage, and color bleeding is significantly higher with rental equipment. The cost difference between renting a machine and hiring a professional for a single sofa is often only $50–$100 — and the quality difference is substantial. Our recommendation: handle weekly maintenance yourself (vacuuming, spot cleaning) and leave deep cleaning to professionals.