Upholstery Cleaning in The Vines

Because soil is packed into the fabric from every angle, and a single pass in one direction only releases part of it. On high-traffic areas like seats and armrests, I extract side to side, then front to back.

On this job in The Vines, the second direction made such a visible difference that I went over the seats and armrests a third time. It takes longer, and that time is exactly what you’re paying for: a genuinely deep clean rather than a quick surface one.

Dry-method cleaning can freshen the surface, but it doesn’t flush soil out from deep in the fibres the way hot water extraction does. Over several cleans, that soil builds up. The first proper hot water extraction releases much more dirt than usual, so it needs extra passes. That was the case with this lounge, and the before and after photos show the difference.

Yes, it’s one of the most important steps. Dry soil, crumbs and grit turn into mud the moment water hits them. I vacuum every surface thoroughly, including deep into the crevices between seats and arms, where dust and debris collect. On this job in The Vines, the crevices even turned up a chocolate frog wrapper, proof the kids love that couch.

Yes. As with the Upholstery Cleaning in The Vines job, with the owner’s OK, I separated the modular pieces at the joins. That lets me clean the join areas properly, where soil collects and a lot of cleaners don’t reach, and the separated pieces also dry faster. The owner of this lounge was happy for me to split it and appreciated the result.

Always. Whether it’s timber, tile or carpet, I lay protective covers before I start. They guard against moisture and against scratches if furniture needs to be moved for access. This home in The Vines had beautiful timber floors, so that protection mattered.

Where it’s safe and practical, I tilt each piece to clean underneath, removing cobwebs and dust, and to check the base.

On this job, it showed that the protective felt pads under the feet were missing. Without them, moving the couch can scratch timber floors. Replacement felt pads are cheap and easy to fit, and you can get them at Bunnings. It’s a small check that can save a floor.

The care label tells a cleaner which methods are safe for your fabric. It often uses codes like W (water-based cleaning), S (solvent only), WS (either) or X (vacuum only). On fixed-cushion lounges like this one, it’s usually underneath the base. This label advised extra care with hot water extraction, so I matched my products and technique to the fabric. I always check the label before I start, because the wrong method can shrink, stain or damage upholstery.

On many fabrics, it isn’t dirt, it’s the direction of the pile. Fabrics like the blue one in this job change shade with the slightest touch: brushed one way it looks lighter, the other way darker. During and right after cleaning, the pile lies in different directions, so it can look uneven. I groom the fabric at the end of the professional upholstery cleaning process to even it out, and it settles further as it dries.

Usually by the next day, depending on the fabric, the weather and the airflow. Separating modular pieces, as I did with this L-shaped lounge, lets air circulate around each section and speeds up drying. Open windows or a fan help too.

Upholstery cleaning is priced per seat, at $75 to $90 per seating position depending on loose or attached cushions and seat size. A 5-seater like the one on this page usually comes to between $375 and $450. A minimum call-out of $360 applies, and it can be combined with carpet or other services on the same visit.

I’m based right next door in Ellenbrook, and Steamz Carpet and Tile Cleaning (formerly Capital Steam Cleaners) has more than two decades of shared experience across Perth. I clean upholstery to Australian Standard AS4849.1 and take the time each lounge needs: protecting your floors, separating modular pieces, checking the care label, and making extra passes where the soil is heaviest. I’m the Secretary of the Carpet Cleaning Association of WA (CCAWA), where membership requires formal industry training. I also carry public liability insurance and hold a current police clearance.