A typical sofa clean will cost anywhere from around £30 for a small two-seater sofa up to well over £100 depending on the size and material of your sofa. The list below summarises some of the average costs to clean your sofa, depending on both size and material.
- Fabric Two Seater = £30-£35 Steam Clean
- Leather Two Seater = £35-£40 Steam Clean
- Four Seater – £80-£120 Dry Clean
Let’s take a look at what actually affects the price of getting your sofa cleaned, as well as the types of cleaning that are used.
Types Of Sofa Cleaning
Before you decide to get your sofa cleaned, you need to consider which type of cleaning you want to have done. The two methods are steam and dry cleaning; let’s take a look at how each one works and what reasons there are for choosing a particular type.
Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning, as indicated by the name, cleans your sofa without getting it wet. This means you don’t have to wait hours for your sofa to be dry, unlike steam cleaning.
Dry cleaning works by first targeting any stains that are present on the sofa via treatment with a cleaning solution. A dry solvent mixture is then added to the surface to later be removed by a machine that brushes the solvent away removing any dirt or debris.
Dry cleaning costs considerably more as it is more convenient than steam cleaning and requires solvent which is obviously more expensive than regular water used in steam cleaning.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning a sofa involves first vacuuming any loose dirt and debris from the surface of the sofa.
Once this is removed a cleaning solution is applied which can vary depending on who is performing the clean. Afterwards, a steamer is used which pumps high-temperature steam over the surface to break down any tough dirt and grease which was not removed from vacuuming.
Steam cleaning is great for bringing out the colour of your sofa and giving it a new lease of life. It’s also cheaper than dry cleaning, which is a great selling point if you’re not sure which type of cleaning to use.
The downside to steam cleaning is that your sofa will be left to dry for quite some time, usually anywhere from 8 hours to 24 hours depending on the type of steam cleaner used and the material of the sofa itself.
How Long Does Sofa Cleaning Take?
The sofa cleaning process will take anywhere from under an hour to multiple depending on how many sofas you are having cleaned and how large they are.
We recently reached out for a quote for a 7 seater sofa, a rug and 2 chairs which was given at 3 hours to give you more of an idea. This can vary between companies but you’re looking at no more than 4 hours for a typical family home.
What Factors Affect Sofa Cleaning Costs?
Now that you know the different types of sofa cleaning and the way they affect the cost, let’s take a look at what other factors affect the cost of having your sofa cleaned.
Type Of Material
Some materials hold on to dust, debris and grease much more than others.
The result is that some materials will require a lot more work to get cleaned properly which leads to an increased cost to clean them. Good materials that are easy to clean include microfiber and vinyl, so you’re in luck if you have a sofa made from these materials.
Call-Out Charge
Just like with carpet cleaning, a call-out charge is applied for sofa cleaning jobs to provide a bottom line for the company or tradesman doing the job.
This call-out charge is used to cover the cost of travel to your home alongside the time taken to do so, and is usually not a large amount of money – but do remember to keep this in mind when budgeting for a sofa clean.
Stains And Condition Of Sofa
The general condition of your sofa is directly related to how much it will cost, for obvious reasons.
The more stains, dirt, debris and whatever else on your sofa the more money you’ll have to pay. This is because the amount of time it will take to clean your sofa will increase, and the amount of cleaning solution and products as well.
There are also some stains that are almost impossible to remove – these include water and blood stains – so don’t expect stains like these to come out even with professional help.
Is A Professional Sofa Clean Worth It?
A professional sofa clean is definitely worth it – it’s almost impossible to get near to the level of cleanliness that a professional clean will provide using standard sofa cleaning products.
Professional sofa cleaning will also remove most common household allergens which is another reason you should consider getting your sofa booked in.
When It Might Not Be Worth It
Although in 99% of cases a clean is worth it, you really should consider the age and condition of your sofa before making your final decision.
A professional sofa clean cannot bring a sofa back from the point of return. If there is significant damage to your sofa, either to the springs, structure or fabric it might be time to replace your sofa entirely rather than spending money to clean it.
If there are significant stains that have been allowed to penetrate deep into the material then these will not be removed easily, if at all. These are all points to consider, as a professional clean may not be worth it depending on your situation.
How Often Should You Professionally Clean Your Sofa?
It’s advised to have your sofa professionally cleaned once per year. This may seem like a lot, but it will help your sofa last longer which will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Would you rather pay for repairs or even a replacement sofa, or prolong the life of your current sofa with yearly cleans? Regular maintenance of your sofa is crucial and a good cleaning plan should always be part of it.
Final Verdict
Getting your sofa professionally cleaned is always a good idea if you’ve not considered it before. Keep the guide prices above in your head and decide whether you want steam or dry cleaning and you’ll be well on your way to a better looking sofa!