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NY Good Questions: Suggestions on a Couch Cleaner?

2.27couch.jpgHello AT,

Help! I am in dire need of a professional upholstery cleaner for my sofa.

Much to the chagrin of my elder relatives ("you are buying a beige sofa -good luck with keeping that clean"), I went ahead and bought it.

Now, after 20 months of use, it needs a good professional cleaning.

It is the Teddy Sofa from Crate and Barrel and the fabric (according to the product sheet) is "a luxuriously soft high-nap fabric"...

 
 
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)

2.27couch2.jpg

I would appreciate any recommendations for a professional cleaner that can also travel up a 6-floor walk-up to tackle my dingy sofa.

Also, would you recommend that I have it scotch-guarded as well?

Thanks! Tara

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cleaning, Good Questions

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Comments (11)

If you live in the 5 boros you can call macys or bloomingdales they offer the service.
Don't forget to ask them when do they offer their special prices.

posted by cityofparis on February 27th 2008 at 5:53am
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Just call Sears Upholstery cleaning. They are the best. I think Scotchguard is a waste of money though. I got it, and my sofa still stained.

posted by Matilda on February 27th 2008 at 5:55am
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Your fabric looks like ours, though our sofa isn't from C&B. If it's the same, it's already treated for stain resistance, and when only a portion looks grungy, you can spot-clean as needed with either Woolite upholstery cleaner or a Bissell Little Green cleaner. (I share your frustration with the effects of urban black dust.)

posted by wende in the twin cities on February 27th 2008 at 6:03am
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You also need to regularly rearrange the cushions, its obvious which end of the sofa you use, regular vacuuming (once per month) also helps alot.

posted by labchick on February 27th 2008 at 6:10am
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whatever you do, do *not* use these guys: http://www.abcrugandcarpetcare.com/organic-cleaning.html
they bait and switch and use harsh chemicals to spot clean that eat away at fabric. horrible!

posted by Lourdes on February 27th 2008 at 6:44am
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This is an old article from the Times (that I wrote -- sorry for the shameless self-promotion) but it might help. I'm not sure how the technology in stain resistance has changed since then:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E3D81E3BF931A2575AC0A960958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Take note of the last line...;-)

posted by shelter life alex on February 27th 2008 at 7:14am
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I don't have a beige sofa, it's a sage green color, and don't have advice on a cleaner...but since people are mentioning anti-stain treatments...I had mine treated (I think it's the "Guardian" brand, and it's resisted stains pretty well. I've dropped chocolate (mmm) on it, and it came up easily with a damp cloth. I also vacuum and switch my cushions around.

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on February 27th 2008 at 7:46am
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Last year, I bought a used sofa on craigslist and cleaned it myself. I rented a Rug Cleaner, with the upholstery attachments and upholstery cleaner, from the drug store. It was tiring doing it myself, but it was fairly easy. And it only cost around $50.

posted by apdesigngirl on February 27th 2008 at 8:08am
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Sears Sears Sears!.. they are the best.. and only cost like $100...

And if you want to go the do it yourself route...

oxyclean..warm water.. rag... get to it!

works everytime!

posted by Lettuce227 on February 27th 2008 at 11:35am
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umm.. while im looking.. did you notice your pillows seem to be sinking al little..

they may just need fluffing, but if not..go back to C&B and have them fix.. most places worth their money will rectify that for you, especially within the 1st year!

posted by Lettuce227 on February 27th 2008 at 11:39am
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I have actually had great experiences with ABC rug cleaners it seems like all the cleaners I have used have off days, new technicians and what not.

They are pretty good to deal with, just ask for Mike.

the upholstery page for ABC.

i suppose they are other good companies, i have tried a few, but i get pretty good treatment with these guys. very personal.

posted by Richard S. on March 30th 2008 at 3:24pm
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