How much does sofa cleaning cost?

Is your sofa looking a little worse for wear these days? If you’ve noticed stains, embedded dirt, mysterious crumbs, dust mites, and pet hair buildup in your well-used furniture, it might be time to have it. But how much do you need to clean a sofa?

The average sofa cleaning cost is £120. But of course, the final price depends on many factors. Do you want a thorough upholstery cleaning? How dirty is your sofa, and what type is it? Read on to know what may affect your budget.

Price list for sofa cleaning services

What is professional upholstery cleaning worth? Here is a summary of sofa cleaning prices according to UK locations and services:

What factors affect sofa cleaning prices? 

When setting your budget for sofa cleaning, also consider the following:

Sofa material

Fabric sofas come in various materials, like cotton, polyester, and linen. The woven construction of fabric upholstery makes it quite durable and able to withstand regular and steam cleaning reasonably well. Detergents and cleaning solutions also work effectively at lifting stains and dirt.

However, natural fibres, like wool and silk, are prone to shrinkage when exposed to excessive moisture during cleaning. Professional upholstery cleaning services should let these sofas dry completely to prevent mould and mildew.

Leather sofas have a smooth, nonporous surface that does not readily trap dirt, debris, and hair from pets. You can wipe it clean gently between deeper cleanings to maintain a tidy appearance. It is also less prone to holding odour.

But leather commands higher professional sofa cleaning prices. It requires a special solution. As one of the delicate materials, it is also easy to damage and strip finishes. Crackled and antique leather is particularly difficult to clean.

Microfibre upholstery is well-known for its inherent stain resistance, easy-clean properties, and tight, woven construction. The dense weave resists trapping dirt and pet hair better than other fabrics. It also dries very quickly after cleaning.

As a downside, tough stains often need vigorous scrubbing to remove, damaging the fabric weave over time if too abrasive. It is also prone to matting down and flattening if subjected to harsh cleaning.

Velvet sofas deliver a luxurious, opulent look when cleaned properly and the velvety nap is restored. Both steam cleaning and chemical shampoo methods work well.

However, velvet readily shows wear, crushing of the delicate pile, and stains if not diligently maintained. It is also sensitive to watermarks and pet damage.

Location

The average cost to clean a sofa in the UK varies per location. For example, London and major cities usually have the highest costs because of demand. This allows professional upholstery cleaners to charge a more competitive price. Meanwhile, rural and remote locations often have fewer options, so a business might need to offer discounts to attract clients.

Additionally, regional differences mean cleaning costs in affluent southern areas, such as Surrey or Kent, can be 10% to 20% higher than in northern areas, like Yorkshire or Lancashire.

Travelling distance also influences quotes. A minimum charge applies for call-outs if you live far from major towns and cities. After all, these companies invest in the right equipment that might require their own transport for convenience.

Comparing service quotes from local upholstery cleaners is the best way to find an affordable rate near you. Those able to travel to farther locations may find better deals.

Sofa cleaning service

Another critical factor that determines upholstery furniture quote is service. What exactly do you need?

• Basic cleaning only involves vacuuming and using cleaning solutions to lift dirt, stains, and debris. It usually starts around £80 to £100 but doesn’t sanitise or deodorise.

• Cleaning with steam costs around £100 to £150.

• Antimicrobial treatment uses products and cleaning machines that kill germs and bacteria that cause odours. This adds £50+ to the basic cleaning cost.

• Pet hair removal requires specialised tools like lint rollers and extra time and effort to detach stubborn fur. Quotes are usually £20 to £40 higher.

• Removing spots and stains needs professional techniques and products to eliminate tough marks or spills. This tailored service costs £30+ per stain.

• Overall disinfection cleans the sofa with strong chemicals to remove allergens and sanitise. It’s a premium service from £150 to £200 and costs more if you want comprehensive furniture cleaning that covers dining chairs.

• Leather sofa cleaning needs specialised leather cleaners and conditioners, adding £50+ to standard quotes.

• Same-day or express cleaning allows you to get your sofa cleaned within 24 hours but comes at a premium. Prices for same-day service are typically £50 to £100 higher than regular quotes.

• The average cost of dry-cleaning sofa covers is £75 to £150 more than standard wet cleaning.

Extra services, such as odour removal and stain protection, increase costs further. However, they might be necessary to extend or improve the lifespan of your sofa. Comparing complete quotes rather than basic rates for professional upholstery cleaning services gives you the full picture.

Cleaning method

The cleaning process also dictates the average cost because it determines job complexity and the needed equipment. Here are the most common types of sofa cleaning methods:

Steam cleaning

Upholstery steam cleaning is a hot water extraction method. It involves injecting hot, pressurised water deep into the fabric to loosen and extract debris and stains. Powerful suctions then remove contaminants or dissolve dirt.

This process provides thorough, deep cleaning for sofas. However, the equipment, products, and time required make it more expensive, with standard steam cleaning service for a regular-sized sofa costing between £40 and £115.

Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents rather than water to clean delicate fabrics. The non-aqueous solvents dissolve and absorb dirt without rinsing or drying the material. This makes the process faster than standard wet steam cleaning methods. But the special equipment and non-water solvents make this a premium service. Dry-cleaning services typically range from £50 to £130 for a standard-sized sofa.

Shampooing

Shampooing uses detergent solutions worked into the upholstery with speciality brushes or a carpet shampoo machine. The cleaning agents dissolve stuck-on dirt and stains, which you can rinse and extract with a wet vacuum. Shampooing costs more than basic vacuuming.

Spot cleaning

Targeted spot cleaning removes specific stains or soiled areas through techniques based on the stain type. Common methods include dissolving, blotting, scraping, and rinsing. The professional sofa cleaning cost in the UK for this is around £20 to £40 per stain. It treats only the soiled areas, keeping costs down.

Disinfecting

Antibacterial products fully sanitise the upholstered furniture by killing germs, bacteria, and dust mites. This helps remove odours and allergens. A speciality cleaning solution or steam works best for disinfecting. Expect to pay £40 to £70 extra for this add-on professional cleaner service.

Sofa type

How much does sofa cleaning cost? It depends on your sofa type:

• Loveseat or a two-seater sofa. Loveseats and other small two-seat sofas require less time and effort to clean. The compact size also allows for quicker drying times. However, very tight spacing between the seats, arms, and back cushions makes it difficult to clean all the crevices thoroughly. The small overall size also spreads stains, dirt, and debris quickly.

• Three-seater sofa. Three-seat sofas have a larger surface area than loveseats, so cleaning is more time-consuming. The back cushions and side arms are often challenging to reach. A professional upholstery cleaner usually meticulously cleans one section at a time while protecting the rest of the couch to prevent streaking and moisture damage.

• Section sofa. Sectional sofas contain multiple pieces joined together, creating small gaps and crevices in between. Dirt, crumbs, and other debris easily get lodged in these hard-to-reach spaces.

• L-shaped sofa. This type of upholstery furniture has a uniquely large and angular surface area, making cleaning tricky. The interior corners where the two sections meet are especially difficult to access.

Overall, the more complex the design, the higher the cleaning price.

How to save money on sofa cleaning

Keeping your sofas looking their best with periodic deep cleaning is important, but the costs can really add up. Read these tips to stay on budget:

• Compare quotes and look for promotional offers. Get at least three quotes from professional upholstered furniture cleaning companies. Look for coupons, seasonal discounts, or first-time customer specials to reduce costs.

• Ask about package deals for furniture cleaning. Many companies offer discounted rates if you book flat cleaning that includes carpets, rugs, and mattresses. Besides, multi-service packages maximise value.

• Consider DIY cleaning for minor stains and upkeep. Doing this extends the time between costly deep cleaning of your upholstered furniture. Use DIY ozonating sprays and vacuum frequently.

• Opt for surface-cleaning methods, such as dry vacuuming, rather than deep cleaning annually. Dry removal of dirt costs less than wet or steam methods.

• Apply protective treatments like stain protection. It prevents stains from becoming permanent, makes cleaning easier, and lengthens the sofa’s lifespan.

• Book professional cleaning companies during the off-season. These include the summer months and right before spring cleaning.

• Learn to negotiate professional sofa cleaning costs. For example, ask if you can get a lower rate for your succeeding cleanings.

Post a task for sofa cleaning

Do you want thorough upholstery cleaning without straining your budget? Airtasker connects you to local experts with reasonable fees. The process entails only four steps:

• Set up a free account.

• Post a task. Include essential details, such as your needed cleaning service, timeline, and budget. Also, mention your sofa’s type, material, and condition.

• Wait for cleaning service providers to give you competitive quotes.

• Pick the best!

Your sofa is an investment, so if you are unsure how to take care of it, it is wise to hire experts. Airtasker helps you find an experienced cleaner, whether you have a standard three-seater sofa or a large sectional one. Sign up today and start enjoying fresh, clean upholstery without overspending.