Professional Upholstery Cleaning in Your Home or Office

Professional Upholstery Cleaning in Greater Boston, MetroWest, the South Shore & Cape Cod

 

Professional upholstery cleaning is about much more than removing visible dirt and stains. Every piece of upholstered furniture is different. The fabric, fiber, dyes, cushion construction, age, condition and previous cleaning history all have to be considered before deciding how it should be cleaned.

I have been professionally cleaning carpets and upholstery since 1970. With 56 years of hands-on experience, I have cleaned thousands of pieces of upholstered furniture, from everyday sofas and chairs to fine and delicate fabrics.

My approach is simple: clean the upholstery as thoroughly as the fabric and construction can safely tolerate.

I don’t believe there is one cleaning method that is right for every piece of furniture. Before cleaning, I examine the fabric and construction and determine the safest and most effective approach for that particular piece.

Whether you need a sofa, upholstered chairs or office furniture professionally cleaned, I can help. I’ll evaluate your upholstery and recommend an appropriate cleaning method based on the fabric, its condition and the type of soiling.

Call Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC at 781-871-1415 to discuss your upholstery cleaning needs. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and explain what can be done.

Experienced Upholstery Cleaning Since 1970

Over the years, I have worked with a wide variety of upholstery fabrics and furniture construction. My background in chemistry has also given me a strong understanding of how cleaning solutions interact with different fibers, dyes, soils and stains.

That experience matters because upholstery can be much less forgiving than carpet.

Using too much moisture, the wrong cleaning solution, excessive heat or improper agitation can sometimes cause problems that are difficult or impossible to reverse.

That’s why I don’t simply arrive with a predetermined cleaning process and use it on every piece of furniture.

I evaluate the upholstery first and then determine how it should be cleaned.

Every Piece of Upholstery Is Different

Two sofas may look almost identical but require completely different cleaning procedures.

The fabric might be cotton, linen, wool, rayon, polyester, nylon, acrylic, silk, velvet or a blend of several fibers. The upholstery may also have different dyes, backing materials, cushion construction and finishes.

Age and previous cleaning can also make a difference.

Before beginning, I look for conditions such as:

• Fiber type and fabric construction
• Dye stability
• Existing stains and discoloration
• Previous cleaning damage
• Wear and deterioration
• Cushion and filling construction
• Areas that may be more susceptible to shrinkage or distortion
• Whether the fabric can safely tolerate moisture
• The type of soil that needs to be removed

The goal isn’t simply to make the furniture wet and extract it.

The goal is to achieve the best possible cleaning result without creating a new problem in the process.

We Clean a Wide Variety of Upholstery Fabrics

Over the years, I have cleaned thousands of pieces of upholstered furniture made from many different types of fabric.

Depending on the particular piece, upholstery may be cleaned using different combinations of specialized cleaning solutions, controlled moisture, agitation and extraction.

Some fabrics can tolerate a thorough wet cleaning. Others require much greater control over the amount of moisture used.

Certain delicate fabrics may require a completely different approach.

This is one of the reasons I don’t recommend choosing an upholstery cleaner based simply on the equipment they use. The equipment is only part of the process. Knowing when, where and how to use it is just as important.

My Upholstery Cleaning Process

Before cleaning, I inspect the upholstery carefully and test the fabric when appropriate.

I then select cleaning solutions and a cleaning method based on the fabric and the condition of the furniture.

Depending on the piece, the process may include:

1. Thorough inspection of the upholstery
2. Identification and testing of the fabric
3. Careful vacuuming when appropriate
4. Treatment of specific spots and stains
5. Application of the appropriate cleaning solution
6. Controlled agitation when necessary
7. Careful extraction or removal of the cleaning solution
8. Final inspection
9. Proper positioning and ventilation to encourage drying

I pay particular attention to moisture.

More water does not necessarily mean better cleaning.

In fact, excessive moisture can create problems with some upholstery, including prolonged drying, browning, shrinkage, dye migration and other fabric-related problems.

Knowing how much moisture a particular piece can safely tolerate is an important part of professional upholstery cleaning.

What Can Go Wrong With Improper Upholstery Cleaning?

Upholstery isn’t simply carpet that happens to be on furniture.

Improper cleaning can sometimes result in:

• Shrinkage
• Dye bleeding or migration
• Browning
• Watermarks
• Texture changes
• Stiffness or distortion
• Prolonged drying
• Damage to deteriorated fibers
• Problems caused by excessive moisture

Not every problem can be predicted simply by looking at the fabric.

That is why testing and experience are so important.

After 56 years in the business, I have learned that one of the most important parts of professional cleaning is knowing what not to do.

Fine and Delicate Upholstery

I also clean fine and delicate upholstered furniture.

Some pieces require considerably more care than ordinary household upholstery. Older furniture, natural fibers, unusual fabrics, delicate dyes and specialty construction can all require a more conservative approach.

I’ve cleaned thousands of pieces of upholstery containing down-filled cushions, delicate fabrics and other specialty materials.

That experience has taught me that the safest approach is not necessarily the most complicated one.

Sometimes the best cleaning method is simply the method that accomplishes the job while putting the least unnecessary stress on the fabric and furniture.

If you would like to learn more about why different upholstery fabrics require different cleaning methods, read my Ask Alec article, How to Clean a Fabric Sofa Without Ruining Your Upholstery.

Upholstery Stain Removal

Removing a stain from upholstery isn’t always as simple as applying a stronger spot remover.

The type of stain, the fabric, the dye, how long the stain has been present and whether someone has already attempted to remove it can all affect the result.

Some stains can be removed completely. Others may have chemically altered the dye or fiber and cannot be completely reversed.

I always try to determine what caused the discoloration before deciding how aggressively it should be treated.

For more information about why different stains require different treatments, read my Ask Alec article, Why Does Every Carpet Stain Need a Different Treatment?.

Fabric Protection

After upholstery has been professionally cleaned, fabric protection can provide an additional level of protection against future spills and everyday soiling. Fabric protection does not make upholstery stain-proof. Instead, it can give you more time to respond when a spill occurs and can make some soils easier to remove.

Whether protection is appropriate depends on the fabric and how the furniture is used. I can evaluate the upholstery and explain whether fabric protection makes sense for your particular furniture.

For more information, visit our Professional Fabric Protection page.

Residential and Commercial Upholstery Cleaning

 

 

The furniture should be evaluated before deciding how it should be cleaned.

I provide professional upholstery cleaning for both residential and commercial customers.

I have cleaned upholstered furniture in homes, offices, medical and dental practices, waiting rooms, businesses and other commercial environments throughout my service area. I also provide professional carpet cleaning for homes and businesses throughout Greater Boston, MetroWest, the South Shore and Cape Cod.

Upholstery Cleaning Throughout Greater Boston and Beyond

Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC serves customers throughout Greater Boston, the MetroWest area, the South Shore and Cape Cod.

I provide upholstery cleaning in many communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including Boston and surrounding towns.

If you’re not sure whether I service your location, just ask.

Have a Question About Your Upholstery?

If you have a question about a particular fabric, stain, cushion or piece of furniture, you may find the answer in my Ask Alec series.

I’ve written these articles to answer the kinds of questions I have received from customers throughout my many years in the cleaning business.

Visit Ask Alec – Practical Upholstery, Carpet & Rug Advice

And if you would rather ask me directly, contact me.

After 56 years in this business, I have learned that sometimes the best advice is simply to look at the furniture and determine what it actually needs.

Call Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC at 781-871-1415.

I’ll be happy to discuss your upholstery and explain what I think can safely be done.