You’ve booked professional upholstery cleaning and your sofa is about to receive a much-needed refresh.
But do you need to do anything before the cleaner arrives?
The good news is that preparing for professional sofa cleaning is usually very straightforward. A few simple steps can make access easier, help your cleaner understand any particular concerns and allow the appointment to run smoothly.
Here’s how to prepare.
1. Remove Personal Items from the Sofa
Start with the obvious one.
Remove anything sitting on or around the furniture, including:
- Throws
- Blankets
- Toys
- Books and magazines
- Remote controls
- Clothing
- Pet beds
- Decorative items
Check underneath and between cushions too — sofas have an impressive ability to collect everything from loose change to children’s toys!
Creating a clear working area means your cleaner can concentrate on the upholstery.
2. Clear the Area Around the Furniture
You don’t necessarily need to empty the entire room.
However, moving small items away from the sofa can make access considerably easier.
Side tables, lamps, children’s toys and other lightweight objects can usually be moved beforehand.
If you’re unsure about moving heavy furniture, leave it where it is and discuss it with your cleaner.
There’s no point injuring yourself trying to prepare for an upholstery clean.
3. Tell Us About Any Stains
If there are particular marks you’re concerned about, point them out before cleaning begins.
If possible, explain what caused them.
Knowing whether a stain came from coffee, red wine, food, makeup, grease or a pet accident can help determine the appropriate treatment.
Don’t worry if you don’t know — older mystery stains are extremely common.
4. Tell Us What You’ve Already Used
This is particularly important.
If you’ve already attempted to remove a stain, tell your cleaner what product you used if you can remember.
That might include:
- Supermarket stain remover
- Carpet cleaner
- Washing-up liquid
- Upholstery spray
- Homemade cleaning solution
- Pet stain product
Previous treatments can affect how a stain responds to subsequent cleaning.
Knowing what has already been applied gives the cleaner useful information before further treatment begins.
5. Vacuuming Isn’t Usually Something to Worry About
Customers sometimes thoroughly vacuum their sofa immediately before professional cleaning because they think they need to prepare it.
You certainly can keep your normal vacuuming routine, but don’t feel that you have to make the furniture spotless before we arrive.
You’re having it professionally cleaned for a reason!
If there are unusual amounts of pet hair, however, mentioning this when requesting your quotation can be helpful.
6. Keep Pets Somewhere Safe
We love pets — but dogs and cats can be extremely interested in unfamiliar equipment, hoses and people moving around their territory.
If possible, keep pets safely in another room while cleaning takes place.
This protects them, gives the cleaner room to work and prevents freshly cleaned furniture immediately acquiring a new collection of paw prints.
7. Think About Access and Parking
Professional cleaning equipment needs to be brought into your home.
If parking or access to your property is unusual or restricted, letting the cleaning company know beforehand can make the appointment much smoother.
This is particularly useful for:
- Flats and apartments
- Gated properties
- Properties with restricted parking
- Homes with difficult access
- Commercial buildings
A little information beforehand can save considerable time on arrival.
8. Ask About Drying Time
Your sofa won’t necessarily be ready for immediate use after professional cleaning.
Drying time depends on the fabric, cleaning method, ventilation, temperature and how much moisture was required during the process.
Your cleaner should advise you when it’s suitable to begin using the furniture again.
Good ventilation can often help the drying process.
9. Plan Around Children and Family Life
If your sofa is the centre of family life, it’s worth thinking about when you book the appointment.
If possible, choose a time when the furniture can be left undisturbed afterwards.
This is particularly useful in busy households where telling the children not to sit on the sofa may otherwise become the hardest part of the entire cleaning process!
10. Don’t Try to Remove Difficult Stains Immediately Before We Arrive
You’ve booked a professional because you want the stain dealt with properly.
The night before the appointment isn’t the ideal time to attack it with every cleaning product under the kitchen sink.
Applying additional chemicals can make treatment more difficult and, in some circumstances, damage the fabric.
Leave difficult stains for your cleaner to assess.
What Happens When the Cleaner Arrives?
Before work begins, the furniture should be assessed.
This provides an opportunity to discuss:
- Fabric type
- Overall condition
- Stains
- Areas of heavy use
- Pet-related issues
- Previous cleaning attempts
- Expected results
An appropriate cleaning method can then be selected.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions.
How Long Does Professional Sofa Cleaning Take?
The time required depends on the furniture.
Cleaning a single armchair is obviously very different from cleaning a large corner suite with numerous cushions.
Condition, fabric type and stain treatment can also affect the length of the appointment.
When arranging your quotation, ESQ Cleaning can give you a better idea based on what you’d like cleaned.
Getting the Best from Your Professional Upholstery Clean
Ultimately, you don’t need to spend hours preparing your home.
Clear the furniture, make access reasonably easy and tell your cleaner about any particular stains or concerns.
We’ll take it from there.
Professional Upholstery Cleaning from ESQ Cleaning
ESQ Cleaning provides professional upholstery cleaning for sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, corner suites and other upholstered furniture.
Whether your sofa needs routine cleaning or you’re dealing with stains, pet odours or years of accumulated dirt, we’re here to help.
Ready to Give Your Sofa a Refresh?
Contact ESQ Cleaning today to arrange a free quotation for professional upholstery cleaning and we’ll advise you on everything you need to know before your appointment.
