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)

Call Coit:
http://www.coit.com/about.html

posted by bepsf on October 14th 2008 at 2:27pm
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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

posted by LoriSF on October 14th 2008 at 2:31pm
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Steam cleaning works great, it gets rid of odors too!

posted by styley on October 14th 2008 at 2:38pm
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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?

posted by (sara) on October 14th 2008 at 2:53pm
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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.

posted by Matt. M on October 14th 2008 at 2:58pm
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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.

posted by LoriSF on October 14th 2008 at 3:12pm
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i don't know, but i love that slipcovered sofa shown, anyone know where it's from?

posted by brand-eye on October 14th 2008 at 3:38pm
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Scavenger??? What is this?

posted by alexia77 on October 14th 2008 at 4:22pm
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Um, Silkwood shower?

posted by patrick (the other one) on October 14th 2008 at 5:28pm
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wow, cb2! http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=102&f=4686&q=movie sofa&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

posted by shalgal on October 14th 2008 at 6:16pm
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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

posted by MyDesignSecrets.com on October 15th 2008 at 6:47am
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