Get matched with top carpet cleaners in Grosse Pointe, MI

Yes, steam cleaning can be an effective way to clean a couch, but whether it's recommended depends on the upholstery material. It is possible to steam clean some couches, particularly those made of durable fabrics like cotton or polyester. However, not all materials handle heat and moisture well; delicate fabrics such as silk and rayon should only be dry-cleaned to avoid damage.

Before you begin, always double-check your couch manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. If steam cleaning is appropriate for your couch, opt for a gentle steam cleaner designed for fabric rather than a bulky carpet cleaner, and use the gentlest setting to prevent damage to the fabric and foam padding. Like with carpets, you may need to pretreat and spot-clean tougher stains.

While effective, steam cleaners can be expensive to buy or rent. If you are unsure about the material or the process, it's best to call a professional upholstery cleaning service to avoid causing damage.

The time it takes for a professional to clean upholstery varies. For a single piece of furniture, you can generally expect the process to take between 30 and 60 minutes. However, the duration depends on the item's condition and material. Cleaning small, isolated stains may be quicker, while heavily soiled or delicate antique furniture could take up to three hours. For a room full of furniture, the process might take a couple of hours. Your cleaning expert should be able to provide a more accurate time estimate before they begin.

Many professionals use high-powered steam cleaners (hot water extraction machines) to deep clean carpets. These machines inject hot water and cleaning solutions into the carpet fibers, extracting the dirt, allergens, and moisture with powerful suction. In addition to steam cleaning, pros may use specialized tools like rotary scrubbers and stain removers for tough spots, along with eco-friendly or commercial-grade cleaning products tailored to the carpet type.

It’s best to have a pro stretch your carpet before having it cleaned. A loose carpet is more difficult to clean, but a stretched carpet will be fixed firmly in place once the job is done. Cleaning a carpet can loosen it depending on the technique used.