Your living room's sofa and armchairs are the most important pieces of furniture that make it look nice and feel good. But over time, clothes gather more than just memories. Dust, dirt, allergies, and bacteria that you can't see get deep into the fibers. Vacuuming regularly helps with dirt on the surface, but to really clean your furniture, you often need to do a deeper clean. This is where the power of an upholstery steam cleaner comes in.
These machines use high-temperature steam to clean things without using harsh chemicals. They can get rid of smells and tough stains. This article will give you all the information you need to choose the best upholstery steam cleaner for your home or rent one. It will also help you fix up your furniture.
What Exactly is a Steam Cleaner For Upholstery?
A steam cleaner for upholstery is a special cleaning tool that sends hot, pressurized steam into fabric and pulls out the dirt and water that has been dissolved. A regular clothes steamer only makes steam, but a real steam cleaner for upholstery is a two-in-one machine that cleans and dries the fabric thoroughly. This makes it great for fabrics that can't get too wet.
Reasons to Use Steam to Clean Your Furniture
What are the benefits of having your home cleaned with steam? The benefits go beyond just a clean surface; they also help your home look and feel nicer.
- Deep Sanitization: The steam's high heat destroys a lot of common pests and allergies, like dust mites, bed bugs, and pathogens, without using any chemicals that could injure you.
- How to Get Rid of Stains: If you have stains that have set in, like wine or food markings, that vacuuming and spot cleaning can't reach, a steam cleaner for upholstery can get rid of them. It draws them up from the bottoms of the strands.
- Odor Elimination: Perfumes don't just mask unwanted scents, they also get rid of the substances that create their smell, such as smoke, pet odors, or mold.
Making the Right Choice: Rent or Buy
One of the hardest decisions homeowners have to make is whether to buy or rent a steam cleaner for their upholstery. The best choice for you will depend on your needs and circumstances.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Steam Cleaner for Upholstery?
Buying your own machine is a great long-term solution if you have a lot of furniture, dogs, or small children. It makes it easier to keep things clean and do regular maintenance.
- Great for using a lot and in many rooms.
- It will save you money over time if you use it a lot.
- You can clean when it's best for you.
When It Makes Sense To Rent A Steam Cleaner For Upholstery
Renting an upholstery steam cleaner from a grocery or hardware store is a good idea if you only need to do a deep cleaning once or don't have a lot of room to store it.
- Good for one big job of cleaning.
- Less money up front for one use.
- No obligation to keep or store for a long time.
How to Choose the Best Steam Cleaner for Your Furniture
If you've decided to buy, it's important to know what to look for. The best upholstery steam cleaner for you will have the right balance of power, ease of use, and features.
- Weight and Maneuverability: A small, light design is very important because you'll be lifting it onto furniture.
- Attachments: Look for a machine that comes with special upholstery tools, such as a small hand tool and different brush heads for different types of fabric.
- Tank Size and Heat-Up Time: A clean water tank that is big enough and heats up quickly will help you clean better.
Things You Shouldn't Forget to Do Before You Clean
Before you start cleaning, you need to get everything ready so that the job goes smoothly and your furniture doesn't get damaged.
- Always check the manufacturer's fabric care tag for cleaning codes (W, S, WS, X) to make sure that steam washing is safe.
- You need to vacuum the whole area well to get rid of loose dirt and debris that can turn into mud when you steam clean.
- To see if the color stays and if there are any bad reactions, do a spot test on a small, hidden area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is it okay to use a steam cleaner on all kinds of upholstery?
No, it isn't. Check the tag on the fabric every time. For silk, velvet, or any other fabric with a "S" or "X" label, steam washing is not usually safe.
Q2: How long does it take for the upholstery to dry?
Most of the time, it takes 4 to 6 hours for something to dry, but it could take longer or shorter depending on the thickness of the cloth, the humidity, and the air flow. Fans can speed things up.
Q3: Can I use a carpet steam cleaner on my furniture?
Many carpet cleaners come with an upholstery attachment, which means they can also be used as steam cleaners on upholstery. Just check that the attachment won't damage the fabric on your furniture.
Q4: Will steam cleaning get rid of pet smells and stains?
Yes, the high heat kills the germs that make pet stains smell and breaks down the proteins in them. This is why it's a great choice for people who have pets.
Q5: What is the difference between cleaning upholstery with steam and cleaning it with dry?
When you steam clean, you soak the cloth in hot water vapor and suck it up. Dry cleaning, on the other hand, uses chemicals that don't contain a lot of moisture and is normally done by specialists on fabrics that are easy to damage.
Trust Your Heirlooms to Expert Care
If you have old, fragile, or very dirty family heirlooms, it can be very helpful to get help from a professional. If you live in or near New York and want to make sure your expensive rugs and furniture are well taken care of, you might want to get in touch with the experts.
Brooklyn Area Rug Cleaning will keep your expensive furniture looking great and lasting longer. Our trained staff uses new techniques to get results you can trust. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how much better your home can look with professional cleaning.
For more information, call us at 347-983-1431