Over time, upholstered furniture inevitably shows dirt, stains, and grime buildup from regular use. While vacuuming and spot cleaning help, periodic deep upholstery cleaning job restores upholstery to a fresh, like-new state. Professional upholstery cleaning services provide deep cleaning using specialized equipment and solutions tailored to your fabrics. The question is, how much does upholstery cleaning cost?
This guide covers everything you need to know about upholstery cleaning costs. We’ll overview the cost of upholstery cleaning, methods pros use, factors that influence pricing, costs for cleaning different furniture types, additional charges, and DIY savings. Understanding the components of upholstery cleaning prices helps you budget and get the best value for renewing upholstered furniture throughout your home.
Upholstery Cleaning Cost Factors
Like most home services, several key factors impact the cost of professional furniture upholstery cleaning service cost here:
Cleaning method
The specific cleaning method used affects the average cost of upholstery too. Surface cleaning is cheapest at $0.12-$0.25 per square foot. Hot water extraction costs $0.30-$0.50 per square foot. Delicate fabrics may require more expensive dry cleaning at $0.40-$1.00 per square foot. Steam cleaning prices fall in the middle.
Upholstery Furniture material
The type of material covering furniture impacts cleaning costs. Delicate fabrics like silks, tapestries, or specialty performance materials require gentle cleaning so pricing is higher. Durable synthetics and cotton can be cleaned more aggressively so pricing is lower.
Labor time
Total hands-on cleaning time affects the overall price. Furniture with complex construction, hard-to-reach spaces, and multiple pieces will take more technician work and hours to clean thoroughly. Simple furnishings with easy access take less time.
Heaviness of soiling
Surface dirt requires minimal cleaning, lowering costs. However significant staining, pet hair, accumulated grime in crevices, and musty odors require repeated applications of solutions and extra scrubbing. More passes means higher pricing.
Company reputation
Top-rated, long-established upholstery cleaning businesses with extensive expertise can charge premium pricing compared to newer companies or basic franchises. But reputation commands value.
Getting quotes from a few local services helps you compare pricing based on your specific furniture and cleaning needs.
Upholstery Cleaning Cost by Furniture Type
According to Home Advisor, a leading home services cost guide, expect to pay an average of $174 for basic professional upholstery cleaning of a typical couch. Furniture upholstery cleaning costs vary depending on the type and size. Here are typical price ranges for common, clean furniture upholstery pieces:
Armchair or Upholstered Dining Chairs
As smaller lightweight pieces, office chairs, armchairs, and dining chairs fall on the lower end of pricing. Expect to pay $30-$100 to have a fabric dining room chair professionally cleaned.
Loveseat
Slightly larger than a chair, a loveseat will cost in the range of $50-$200 to clean depending on fabric delicacy. Loveseats require about 1.5 times more effort than a chair.
Sofa
A standard-sized 3-cushion sofa will cost around $70-$250 to clean. Sectionals with more surface area may fall on the higher end. Labor accounts for much of the price.
Sectional sofa
With their expansive surface area, L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals require extensive cleaning time and effort. Pricing runs $100-$350 depending on exact size and configuration.
Oversized chair/ottoman
For large recliners, club chairs, and matching ottomans expect to pay $40-$150 for upholstery cleaning due to the additional fabric yardage.
Headboard
Headboards cost approximately $25-$100 to clean professionally based on size, fabric, and extent of soiling. Detachable headboards may cost extra for removal and transport.
Dining booth
Given their size, dining banquettes cost $100-$300 to clean. Built-in benches with fixed upholstered seats also fall in this range. Multi-seat benches justify a higher price.
Car Interior
For automotive upholstery cleaning, pricing averages $70-$200 depending on vehicle size and detail level. Pet mess or smoke smells may cost extra.
Multipiece discounts are sometimes offered for cleaning a whole piece of furniture full room of upholstery. Get an itemized quote rather than a square footage estimate so you know per-piece pricing.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the core cleaning service, additional charges may apply:
- Stain treatment solutions – Applying special pretreatments to deal with tough oil, grease, ink, or pet stains cost extra.
- Fabric protection – A protective treatment to repel future stains runs $0.25-$0.50 per sq. ft.
- Pickup/delivery fees – For pickup and delivery of furniture pieces, companies may charge a fuel fee of $20-$75 depending on the distance.
- Rush orders – Extra labor fees for expedited turnaround times may apply.
When comparing quotes, ask providers to detail any potential surcharges so your final bill doesn’t balloon unexpectedly.
DIY Upholstery Cleaning Cost
Homeowners can rent upholstery cleaning machines from retailers like Home Depot for $30 to $60 per day. Solutions cost $10-$20. This allows DIY cleaning of an average sofa for $40-$80. DIY upholstery cleaning lacks professional techniques but saves on labor. Consider your time investment too.
For delicate fabrics, the risks of DIY may outweigh potential cost savings. But DIY works for durable synthetics and cotton. Follow equipment instructions carefully.
Benefits of a Professional Upholstery Cleaning Companies
While renting DIY cleaning machines seems like an affordable option, hiring a professional upholstery cleaning company has several advantages:
- Specialized equipment – Pros use powerful truck-mounted systems and industrial vacuums for deeper, more thorough cleaning. DIY machines have limited suction.
- Expert fabric care – Companies are trained in gently handling delicate heirloom fabrics and applying appropriate cleaning solutions. Harsh DIY chemicals risk permanent damage.
- Stain removal – Professionals have commercial-grade stain removers and treatments to fully eliminate tough odors, pet stains, and set-in grime. DIY often only surface cleans.
- Efficiency – Companies clean faster and more efficiently than a homeowner can DIY, saving you labor time and hassle. Their expertise streamlines the process.
- Guarantees – Reputable pro companies guarantee their work. If stains resurface they will re-clean for free. DIY mistakes can’t be undone.
- Truck-mounted power – Truck units give pros much greater suction and cleaning power compared to DIY machines. Deeper cleaning improves results.
For valuable antique or heirloom upholstery, hiring a reputable pro company provides the safest, most effective way to thoroughly clean while avoiding any risks or damage.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Upholstery Cleaning
The choice between a DIY and a professional upholstery cleaning service company depends on:
- Type of furniture – DIY works for synthetics but risks damage to delicate fabrics.
- Extent of soiling – Light surface dirt is DIY-friendly. Tough stains need a pro’s chemicals.
- Importance of results – DIY may not fully remove odors and stains. Pros properly sanitize and deodorize.
- Value of time – DIY takes hours. Pros clean faster and do all the work.
- Furniture value – Expensive heirloom fabrics justify a pro’s care. Cheap furniture can be DIYed.
Consider how much your furniture is worth in making the DIY vs. pro-choice professional upholstery cleaning cost and service.
How to Save Money on Upholstery Cleaning Services
Ways to cut costs on the professional upholstery cleaning costs include:
- Schedule in the off-season when companies offer discounts to fill demand gaps.
- Bundle services together, such as cleaning all furniture in a room or home to get a multiline discount.
- Choose surface cleaning over deeper methods if fabric care labels allow it.
- Immediately treat any new stains to avoid labor costs for stain pretreatment.
- Vacuum thoroughly before the pros arrive to minimize the cleaning time needed.
- Compare several quotes to find the best value. Check for coupons too.
Regular professional upholstery cleaning methods keep upholstery looking fresh for less cost overall by preventing deep-set stains. Properly maintained fabrics stay clean longer between professional cleanings.
Final Thoughts
While DIY upholstery cleaning and stain removal is possible for some furniture, hiring professional upholstery cleaners typically provides the safest and best results. Identify any delicate heirloom fabrics where DIY risks damage. Then get quotes from top local providers to compare pricing and value.
Ask what’s included and watch out for add-on fees. With some smart money-saving tips and regularly scheduled professional cleaning, you can keep your upholstered and leather furniture still looking its best for years to come.
