How to clean a light-coloured sectional, and when to call a pro
Light sectionals look fantastic in a showroom and in the first few months at home. Then the arms go grey, the middle seat picks up a shadow, and there’s a mark nobody will admit to. We clean a lot of cream, beige and pale grey sectionals in Richmond homes, from Steveston townhouses to condos around No. 3 Road, and most of them come back much further than their owners expect. Here’s how to look after one, and when it’s time to call us.
First, find the cleaning code
Look for a tag under a seat cushion or on the frame. Most upholstery has a cleaning code:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are OK |
| S | Solvent only. Don’t use water |
| W/S or SW | Either is OK |
| X | Vacuum only. Leave cleaning to a professional |
Take a photo of that tag. It’s the first thing we ask for when you book, because the fibre decides the method. If there’s no tag, or the fibre’s unknown, we test a hidden spot first and you sign a short waiver. That’s normal for a lot of furniture.
Everyday care
- Vacuum weekly with the upholstery tool, including under the cushions and along the seams where crumbs and grit collect.
- Flip and rotate cushions every week or two so they wear and soil evenly.
- Put a throw on the favourite seat and the arm everyone leans on. Body oils from hands and hair are what turn light arms grey.
- Keep it out of direct sun if you can. Pale fabrics fade and yellow.
Spot cleaning a spill
For a W or W/S fabric: blot immediately with a white towel, then dab with cool water and a drop of clear dish soap, working from the outside in. Blot dry. Don’t rub, don’t soak the cushion, and don’t use coloured or bleach cleaners.
For an S or X fabric, blot only, and call us. Water on those fabrics can leave a ring that’s harder to fix than the original spill.
When to call a pro
- The arms and headrests have gone grey and spot cleaning just moves it around.
- There’s a pet accident. Urine soaks into the cushion foam and needs an enzyme treatment and extraction.
- You’ve tried a spot and left a water ring.
- It’s been a year or more since the last clean.
What a professional clean costs
We price upholstery per seated area: $90 for each seat on a sectional and for each armchair, before the current promo. A six-seat sectional is six areas. You see the full price in the booking form before you pick a time. Big sectionals with more than eight seats get a quick photo review first.
We pre-treat the arms, headrests and seat fronts, clean with the method that suits the fabric, then groom it and let it dry. Most fabrics are dry in about 3 to 6 hours.
Keep it looking that way
Clean fabric is at its most absorbent, so the first spill after a clean soaks in fast. Ultra Protection, our fabric protector, makes spills bead up long enough for you to blot them. On a light sectional in a busy home it’s usually worth it. Ask your technician on the day, or read whether fabric protector is worth it.
Common questions
Can you clean a sectional with non-removable covers? Yes. Almost all of them are cleaned in place.
Will it shrink? Not when the method matches the fabric. That’s why we check the tag and test a hidden spot first.
Can you do the dining chairs too? Yes, at $30 a chair ($20 if only the seat is padded). Add them to the same visit.
Can you do the carpets on the same visit? Yes. Bedrooms, stairs and rugs all go in one booking. See prices for carpet cleaning in Richmond.
Ready to book? See couch and upholstery cleaning in Richmond, or call (604) 802-8500.