Upholstery cleaning lifts the body oils, dust, pet hair and spills that build up in a couch, and a good clean often makes a tired lounge suite look years younger. Professional cleaners use hot water extraction, low-moisture methods or leather cleaning and conditioning, depending on the fabric and its cleaning code. Whether it is a family couch, dining chairs, a mattress or the car seats, tell us what needs cleaning and we pass your request to upholstery cleaners near you, who quote you directly. The request is free, with no obligation.
Upholstery cleaning service methods
- Hot water extraction (often called steam cleaning): a cleaning solution is sprayed into the fabric and sucked out with the dirt. Thorough, but the piece needs drying time.
- Low-moisture or dry cleaning: dry foam or encapsulation, for fabrics that don't take much water, and quicker to dry.
- Leather cleaning and conditioning: a mild cleaner, then a conditioner to stop cracking; see leather couch repairs for damage.
- Spot and stain removal, odour treatment for pets, and fabric protector after cleaning.
Read the cleaning code first
Most upholstery fabric carries a cleaning code on a tag under the cushion or the base:
- W: water-based cleaners are fine.
- S: solvent only, no water.
- W/S: either.
- X: vacuum only, no liquid.
A good cleaner checks the code and tests a hidden spot before starting. Velvet, viscose and some linen blends can mark, shrink or go stiff if overwetted. If there is no tag, say so in your request, and tell the cleaner the fabric type if you know it. You can find more about fabric types under upholstery fabric.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning on the day
Many firms do carpet and upholstery cleaning in one visit, plus mattresses and car upholstery cleaning. Before they arrive, clear the room and point out stains and what caused them. Afterwards, open windows and keep the air moving; wet-cleaned pieces usually need some hours to dry, longer in winter or on a humid coast. Don't sit on damp cushions or put them back in direct sun. If stains or smells keep returning, the foam itself may be the problem, and new foam or cushion covers may be the better fix.
What affects the price and what to ask a cleaner
Cleaning is usually priced per seat or per piece, with a minimum call-out. The price depends on the number of seats, the fabric or leather, the method, heavy staining or pet odours, protector, and travel. Ask:
- Which method suits my fabric and its code?
- Do you test a hidden spot first?
- How long will it take to dry?
- Is stain removal and protector included?
If you would rather do it yourself, see machine hire.
What to include in your request
- The pieces and the number of seats
- Fabric or leather, and the cleaning code
- Stains, pet odours or mould
- Carpets, mattresses or car seats too
- Your suburb and access
Upholstery Cleaning for homes, cars and businesses
- Homeowners and tenants: a family couch, dining chairs, mattresses and the kids' car seats cleaned in one visit
- Restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and lodges: regular cleaning of guesthouse lounges, restaurant booths and hotel headboards between seasons
- Offices and businesses: boardroom chairs, reception couches and call centre seating cleaned after hours
- Car, bakkie and taxi owners: car upholstery cleaning for family cars, bakkies, taxis and dealer stock
- Boats, caravans and 4x4s: mould and salt cleaning for boat cushions, caravan seating and game drive vehicle seats
- Clinics, salons, spas and gyms: careful cleaning of waiting room chairs, treatment beds and salon chairs
- Churches, schools and halls: church pew cushions, school hall chairs and theatre seats cleaned in bulk
- Upholsterers, makers, designers and DIYers: landlords, estate agents and furniture dealers cleaning pieces before letting or resale
Frequently asked questions
How do I find upholstery cleaning near me?
How long does a couch take to dry after cleaning?
Can every couch be steam cleaned?
Do upholstery cleaners also do car seats?
Upholstery Cleaning by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg