"Michelle at Premier did a great job of educating me on how to care for my 20+-year-old leather coat, on what needed to be done to renew it, and cleaned it so it was almost like new. She also took over cleaning a fine Italian wool jacket I sent her, and even found buttons to replace ones on the sleeve that had fallen off She's professional, prompt, and gets the job done! I have no worries when I send my clothes to her in Calif from Wyoming (because we have no comparable specialty cleaners here)."
Upholstery Cleaning questions, answered by experts
Yes, you can rent or buy a steam cleaner. A heavy-duty steam cleaner costs between $175 and $250 at most retail outlets and online. You can also usually rent one for around $40 per day.
Most of the larger machines you can rent from a hardware or grocery store have a larger water reserve and a heating element. Both operate by moving slowly and methodically over the carpet. Whether you rent or buy a unit, you will want to stay off your carpet for at least 12 to 24 hours while they dry.
First, ensure your clothes are clean before you pack them. When packing, make sure they’re folded and stored within the container with enough room to breathe. For extra protection, try using cedar chips or lavender sachets, which naturally repel bugs. Lastly, periodically checking in on your clothes will help you stay aware of their condition.
Yes, in most cases it’s a good idea to wrap furniture in plastic to protect it from dirt, dust, and damage during storage. However, natural and porous materials such as wood or leather should have breathable fabric covers to prevent moisture damage from condensation. Either way, it’s always important to ensure proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, especially in humid climates.
You can clean some mattresses with a carpet cleaner that has an upholstery attachment. Mattresses made out of memory foam or other foam generally should not be cleaned with a carpet cleaner, although many traditional spring mattresses can be cleaned this way. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure. If you do use a carpet cleaner, be aware that it will take much longer to fully dry and be careful not to oversaturate the mattress.
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 Mott, ND homeowners’ guide to upholstery cleaning services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much it costs to rent an upholstery cleaner? Get prices, cost factors, and money-saving tips for your next DIY upholstery cleaning project.
Mattress cleaning cost depends on the number of mattresses being cleaned and the size of each. Use this guide to better understand mattress cleaning prices.
