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Powered by ServiceMagic Cleaning and Protecting your Upholstery..  Soft furnishings are perhaps one of the largest cash investments in most households, ranking certainly within the top five items, such as the family car, carpets, new kitchen, new bathroom fittings. So why is it so often overlooked when it comes to routine cleaning ? Most homeowners wait until their upholstery *looks* dirty before considering having it cleaned by a professional , but that is often too late.  To postpone cleaning any length of time, fabric and colors can begin to dull, making the original appearance more difficult to restore.  Like a Sponge ... Newspaper ink, food, perspiration, dust, airborne soils containing cooking fats or cigarette smoke as well as items placed on your upholstery settle and accumulate on all fabric surfaces in your home. Pet dander and dust mites continue to accrue with use. And while vacuuming helps, it alone is simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your upholstery cleaned, the more damage you do to it and the faster it wears out.  When you know how to clean and care for your upholstered furniture it will retain the look that made you fall in love with it in the first place. With proper cleaning, care, and maintenance, it is possible to have all your upholstery looking its best for a long time. It pays to be consistent, and it’s not hard to do. Choose the Right Fabric When you choose the right fabric for the right place you make your upholstery maintenance task easier. Always make sure that you choose fabric that is appropriate for your lifestyle and the upholstered furniture piece. For example, synthetic fibers are a better choice for upholstered furniture that sits in areas of heavy usage. Use Fabric Protection A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory. It is usually treated with soil and/or water repellents and some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors can be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home. While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Never regard fabric protection as an invisible shield. Always clean up any spills or stains in a timely manner, and follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper care methods. Turn the Cushions You can extend your upholstered furniture’s life by periodically turning over the loose cushions. This easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear and your cushions won’t develop indentations right away. Caring for cushions by fluffing them after you’ve cleaned also helps keep them in shape. Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage. Vacuum Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers. You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric. A horse hair brush works great. Spot Clean While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector. Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry. Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to weaken, fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods of time. This is especially true for silks. Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking, candles or cigarette smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors. Call a Professional It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every 12-18 months. Experts recommend having this done on a regular basis and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.   Cleaning progress of a white Sofa, This particular couch was used heavily by 3 Large dogs and 2 heavy Smokers.     A critical though often neglected responsibility of upholstery owners is routine maintenance. Care must begin when the furniture is first put into service. The following guidelines will assist you in maintaining upholstered fabrics. Controlling Soil   Upholstered furniture is more susceptible to soiling on arms and seat cushions, as well as the upper inside back, head-rests, pillows and skirt areas. Using arm covers and rotating seat cushions frequently prolongs fabric life and appearance. Dry Soil Removal Vacuuming and, depending on fabric durability and construction, brushing upholstery routinely is recommended to remove dust and particle soil. This enhances appearance and prolongs fabric life. Equally important, the soil that is vacuumed from the fabric must not be allowed to re-enter the air, possibly contributing to indoor environmental pollution (IEP). Immediate Spotting Most spots or spills can be removed easily if the excess is scooped up or blotted and treated immediately with plain water or neutral spotters. If ignored, these spots, or components thereof, may bond to fibers, possibly causing permanent stains. Immediate spot cleaning is essential. Extreme caution must be observed when spotting leather or dry-clean-only fabrics. Cleaning Frequency Every 12 to 24 months, professionally clean upholstered furniture and fabrics subjected to routine use. Increased cleaning frequency may be required when fabric subjected to heavy use, or when it is located in homes occupied by persons with allergies or respiratory sensitivity. Furniture and fabric manufacturers recommend that consumers not wait until severe soiling occurs before cleaning is accomplished. The greater the soiling, the less the likelihood of restoring the original color, appearance and texture of the fabric – and the greater the adverse affect on indoor environmental quality (IEQ). About Fabric... Upholstery fabrics are tough as well as good-looking. Blends of natural and manufactured fibers, treated to block stains, make upholstery long-wearing and easy to clean. Here are some fibers and their common characteristics. Cotton  is a versatile fiber, used for prints and wovens, and is comfortable to use in all climates. Is, as well as any untreated natural fiber, is less stain-resistant than synthetic fibers. Linen a high-end fiber, is prized for its crispness, strength and durability. Wool  is strong, durable, soft to the touch and naturally resists water. Rayon is a smooth, soft, lustrous and comfortable manufacturered fiber. It wrinkles easily when used alone. Blended with other fibers, it adds silk-like luster to the finished fabric. Nylon is strong and abrasion-, rot-, and midew-resistant. It has a low absorption for water and other liquids. Acrylic, a manufactured fiber, can offer many of the qualities of wool, a natural fiber. It is often used in plush or fleecy fabrics. Acrylic resists fading but is prone to pilling, the creation of small balls of fiber on the fabric's surface. Olefin is a strong, soil-resistant manufactured fiber that is used alone or blended with other fibers. Polyester is a strong, resilient and abrasion-resistant fiber that adds luster when blended with other fibers. Silk is a strong, resilient, luxury fiber with a natural luster. Fiber size varies from fine to heavy, as in raw silk. Protected fabrics Most fabrics designed for upholstery come from the manufacturer with a stain- and soil-repellent finish. When it is missing, the store should be able to add the treatment with a warranty when you buy a piece of upholstered furniture, or you can have a professional re-apply the correct fabric protector. Fabric protection gives you time to pick up or blot away spills before they soak in. It cannot totally prevent damage to the fabric, but does provide you with a peace of mind.     Let me choose the best cleaning solutions to clean and protect your furnishings !! And provide you with a fresh new place to take a load off.

Serving All of Lancaster County including:

Adamstown, Akron, Bainbridge,  Bird in Hand, Blue Ball, Bowmansville, Brickerville, Brownstown, Brunnerville, Christiana, Columbia, Conestoga, Denver, Drumore, East Earl, East Petersburg, Elizabethtown, Elm, Ephrata, Falmouth, Gordonville, Hempfield, Holtwood, Hopeland, Intercourse, Kinzers, Kirkwood, Lampeter, Lancaster, Landis Valley, Landisville, Leola, Lititz, Manheim, Marietta, Martindale, Maytown, Millersville, Mount Gretna, Mount Joy, Mountville, Narvon, Neffsville, New Holland, New Providence,Paradise, Peach Bottom, Pequea, Quarryville, Reamstown, Refton, Reinholds, Rheems, Ronks, Salunga, Smoketown, Soudersburg, Stevens, Strasburg, Talmage, Terre Hill, Washington Boro, West Willow, Willow Street, Witmer as well as Hershey & Wrightsville.

If you live outside these areas, and desire cleaning services, let us know, if we
can't accommodate you, we can recommend a certified, reliable cleaner for your needs.