Good Questions: How Do I Clean Furniture I Buy on Craigslist?

Hi AT:SF, I'm in love with Scavenger. As a first time homeowner, I find myself hunting for great furniture ideas and even better deals on AT... I just purchased a white/creme CB2 Movie Sofa off Craigslist, but I wonder how I should gently deep clean the furniture I buy on Craigslist...

...How should we clean the great sofa and cushioned chairs we find on Scavenger? If I clean myself, what should I use? If I decide to have someone clean it for me, what great cleaners are there (in San Francisco)?

Thanks,

-Justin

Anyone?

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Image: CB2

Comments (11)

It depends on the fabric. I represent fabrics and they all vary. If you know what the fabric is I can tell you. Best bet is to have a professional. I have a great upholsterer resource that is excellent with modern furniture he may be able to recoomend a cleaning service. Let me know. lorijj2000@yahoo.com

Steam cleaning works great, it gets rid of odors too!

I'm in a similar boat. I have a Pottery Barn celery green linen slipcover that has watermarks (from my daughter's leaky sippy cups) and large fade marks from the sun. I had them drycleaned, but that did nothing. I even threw them in my own washing machine with no results (the good news is that they weren't ruined). Is it a bad idea to bleach them myself? If so, any other ideas?

good question!!
although i'd like to know how to even look for the right stuff on craigslist! i can never seem to find any beds, kitchen tables, lamps, or couches that are posted on here on my own.

sara linen is hard to clean once the stain is in there very hard to get out and being a natural fiber never use hot water that is why steaming can be damaging to most fibers.

have ypu tried a oxygen bleach? or salt? Regular bleach is not good to use. Never dryclean linen. Might be too late at this point.

i don't know, but i love that slipcovered sofa shown, anyone know where it's from?

Scavenger??? What is this?

I have used http://www.stanleysteemer.com/Home.aspx for my clients and when I lived in SF, Coit did a good job on carpets. I did not use them for upholstery. You really cannot deep clean upholstery and it gets mites just like a mattress. I know you have already purchased these items but my best advice is to buy casegoods used and splurge for new upholstery.

MyDesignSecrets.com