8 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Sofa

Typically, maintaining a sofa set is straight forward task and can be relatively safe if the manufacturer’s guidelines are properly followed. However, people usually tend to forget these guidelines or instructions and end up committing irreversible mistakes, which can cause permanent damage to their upholstery. Still worse, wrong or fake stain removal methods can also result in causing more damage to the sofa set instead of cleaning it. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when performing sofa cleaning.

1. Using wrong/fake cleaning products
These days, there are a lot of cleaning products widely available in the market. Some of these products promise to deliver what they claim, but they actually don’t, instead, they cause more damage to your sofa. So, whenever you plan to clean your upholstery, it is important and necessary to contact the furniture designer or retailer to recommend the right cleaning products to use.

Using wrong tools and products can be disastrous and can lead to irreversible damage to your furniture. Over the past years, the types of materials used to make furniture, particularly sofa has greatly increased. The fiber quality, finishes, dyes, and leather used in the materials will therefore need right mix of cleaning solution. Some shop attendants may lure you to buy their products, but don’t be fooled by just anyone. Try to do some research.

2. Failure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines/instructions
When you buy a sofa set from a recognized and reputable dealer or designer, they should give you maintenance guidelines that you should always remember and follow. These guidelines/instructions are drafted to help you know how to maintain your sofa set in appropriate manner, hence avoiding unnecessary damage. Additionally, cleaning products also come with cleaning instructions that you must follow to make it effective. For instance, some products require warm water to be effective and others cold one.

3. Practicing wrong cleaning methods
Just like using wrong cleaning products, practicing wrong cleaning techniques is also another maker mistake to make when cleaning your sofa set. A small stain that could otherwise remove so easily can become bigger and stubborn if the right cleaning technique is not applied. Some cleaning products contain chemical substances, which can easily stain can become ingrained into your fabric if the appropriate method is not used.

4. Hiring unprofessional services
Most people think that by simply hiring the cleaning service of a good company is enough to get work done. Even if you hire a good cleaning company, always make sure that the actual cleaners are professionals who understand what they are doing. He/she should have enough experience and know what the best tools are and cleaning products to use for certain types of stains and grease. It is always necessary and important to ensure that even if you seek the services of a reputable cleaning company, the cleaner hat they send to you is a professional one. If you don’t have an idea of a good company, you can seek referrals from relatives or friends who have previously used their services.

5. Avoid marks or stains left by cleaning products
A trace amount of any cleaning product can be easily left behind on your upholstery after cleaning is concluded and this can lead to the stains, which can prove to be difficult to remove. This is actually one of the biggest mistakes most cleaners make. However, this residual chemicals amount can be reduced if the appropriate cleaning technique, product and tools are used. The right cleaning method can give a spotless and stain-free appearance to your sofa set. Sofa cleaning could need different methods like washing of your sofa covers, wiping with the right cleaning solution, vacuum cleaning to remove dust, and most importantly thorough drying. The exact technique could differ based on the type of your sofa. A good technique ensures that no undesired mark or stain left after the cleaning exercise is over.

6. Avoid very long intervals of cleaning
Your expensive sofa set requires regular cleaning to prevent accumulation of dust and other dirty on its surfaces. If your couch stays for a quite long time without being cleaned, it will become a deadly breeding ground for numerous fungi, bacteria and mould. It can even produce a very bad smell in your living environment. A smelly environment can be an embarrassment to you in the presence of your visitors. These fungi and bacteria can also be very dangerous as they can result in diseases and infections to humans and pets. Additionally, dirty sofa sets can attract several household bugs, pests and rodents. So, do not leave your upholstery for a very long time without cleaning them.

7. Saving on pennies instead of going for quality
Budget consideration rather than the quality of the product and cleaning kits is yet another mistake most homeowners make when cleaning their sofa and other upholstery items. Additionally, people tend to choose the cheapest cleaning quotes instead of checking on the service quality they’re bound to get from their chosen company. Although it is also good to get the value of your money, it is not always a good idea to sacrifice quality in order to save some money. Highest quote isn’t good either; just negotiate for a relatively fair price for better quality services. High quality services ensure your sofa lasts a very long time.

8. Avoid fabric shrinkage
Most upholstery and sofa covers materials can easily shrink after cleaning with water and this can lead to a wrinkled appearance. There are also those cleaning products and techniques that can cause shrinkage of fabrics. Some cleaning professionals use dry shampoo to avoid this from happening. They usually use a low moisture cleaning technique.

In conclusion, the appropriate cleaning of sofa sets and other upholstery enhances the appearance of your living room and home in general. It basically creates a healthy and live living environment. Therefore, it is very important and necessary to frequently clean your sofa set. It is recommended to seek the cleaning services of a good company once for awhile, even if you opt to do it yourself occasionally. Also, ensures the cleaning products and techniques used in sofa cleaning are of the required standards so as to avoid making such mistakes.