Get matched with top carpet cleaners in Verdigris, OK

Steam cleaning a couch should get rid of most smells, but there are some more potent smells that require a bit more work than steam cleaning. For instance, steam cleaning won’t likely get the smell of pee out of a couch. To remove urine odor from a couch, you’ll most likely need to use an enzymatic cleaner, which targets the smell and stain.

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.

Once you’re done cleaning your upholstered chairs, here are a few ways you can keep them looking fresh for longer:

• Use removable chair covers that are machine washable

• Blot spills as soon as you see them 

• Consider treating the fabric with a stain protector

Whether you tip before or after a carpet cleaning depends on when you’re available. If you’re home when they finish up, you can give them their tip after. However, if you need to leave before they’re done or if you won’t be home at all, you can prepare the tip beforehand and leave it for them in an envelope.