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Factors to Consider While Choosing an Upholstery Cleaning Service

Shalu Bhatti
The best part about upholstery is that it adds true aesthetic and comfort value to your house. And the worst part is the cleaning. The solution? Hire cleaning professionals. Consider the given factors while looking for an upholstery cleaning service in your area.

A Clean Tip!

If you have pets and small children in the house, opt for a cleaning service that uses eco-friendly products. As your darling family members are likely to spend a lot of time rolling around the furniture and carpets, it is best to clean these areas as safely as possible.
The upholstery in your house defines your taste and style of living. You spend a lot of time, effort, and money to buy the best pieces to accentuate the look of your home. The sad part is that our beautiful furniture, carpets, and other fabrics do not stay as 'new' and 'clean' as when we bought them.
Especially when there are pets and kids, problems such as food stains, mud stains, and other similar dirt stains are hard to remove through normal cleaning. Even responsible adults, such as ourselves, tend to spill red wine over the couch or the carpet! To keep your upholstery as good as new, availing the services of professionals is a must.
Another reason why you must opt for professional cleaning is because of the warranty that comes along with your furniture. If it is still within the warranty period, be cautious of doing some heavy-duty cleaning on it yourself, as it may get the warranty nullified.
It is always best to consult the warranty provider to know if getting the item(s) cleaned―either yourself or professionally―would maintain the warranty. You must do so as there is a possibility that the cleaners may have to take some extra caution in this case.

How to Find the Right Professionals for Upholstery Cleaning

There are a few factors that one must consider before selecting the right company to do the job. Certain basic factors include: Cost, reputation, experience, and credibility.
However, if you go into the technicality of this job that requires intense cleaning without harming the look and quality of the fabric, the factors to keep in mind: Chemicals used, time taken, cleaning temperature, and the technique for agitation. The given points will take you through the criteria to hire the right cleaning company as per your needs.

Seek Referrals

Whenever you begin your search for seeking professional help, the first and foremost step is to look for some recommendations, preferably from the people you trust, and who in turn, trust the referred company.
Start by spreading the word among your friends and relatives, and in your neighborhood, as well. We bet there will be many names coming your way once this is done. Every neighborhood has a few professional organizations that are well-known for a specific job. Check your local phone book with Yellow Pages for the same. You might get the right one, right away!

Search Online

An online search is inevitable when it comes to getting an idea of the reputation, accreditation, customer feedback, and more.
A search using the website of Better Business Bureau would be helpful as it not only rates companies based on their services, but also gives a report of how the company has performed in terms of customer satisfaction and more.
Also, scan the website of the referred names you have come across till now. Remember, an experienced and trustworthy company will definitely have an updated and well-planned website. Look at the sections such as 'services offered', 'customer reviews', 'testimonials', 'accreditation', and the like, to know how professional and worthy the organization is.

Pay Heed to the Supplies They Use

Keeping in mind the kind of upholstery you have, pay attention to the technology or equipment that the company uses for cleaning purposes, along with the water and washing agents.
When it comes to upholstery, the cleaning methods vary depending upon the fabric, make, and the amount of cleaning required. For this, you can pay a visit to their office (which, we think, is better than speaking to them via phone) and inquire these queries and more.
You can also take a look at their license to know if they are authorized and trained to undertake a task such as this. You can also ask for more referrals and clarify your doubts, irrespective of the fact that they are technical, monetary, or inquisitive in nature.

Consider 3 to 4 Options

It is advisable to narrow down your options to 3 or 4 names, and focus on them to pick out the best. To do this, it is advisable to ask a representative from each company to visit your house and take a look at the upholstery that needs to be catered to.
During the visit, discuss the technique they will use for cleaning, the warranty/guarantee that comes along, the approximate costs involved, etc. Note the way your questions are being answered. An experienced and trained professional will always answer with confidence. So, if you hear a lot of fumbling and pauses, you better move on to the next option.

Compare Price Quotations

Request for a price quote from each of the 3 or 4 options mentioned here, and compare them carefully. Note that, when we ask you to compare, you shouldn't compare only costs. Remember, the cheapest option needn't be the best one.
Also, consider other important factors that constitute reputation, quality delivered, safety, warranty, and professionalism. Some companies may charge you for a quote, so make sure it's free before you place your request.

Don't Ignore the Experience

By this point we don't imply that you completely discard new companies, but there are no second thoughts about the fact that the services of an experienced company would definitely stand out from the newbies. Remember, an experience holder would also be licensed, acknowledged by authorities, and appreciated by customers.
Their charges might be a tad higher than the new counterparts, but when it comes to your precious, expensive, and high-end upholstery, quality comes first. And yes, a service provider may be good, but excellence can be achieved only through practice and experience.

Analyze the Contract

Your responsibility doesn't end by merely selecting the professional you'll be hiring for the task, contract evaluation is equally necessary. Read the terms and conditions carefully.
Information related to guarantee, warranty, insurance, price, payment, cancellation, and the like, must be written in a detailed manner. Sign it only after being completely satisfied with each and every clause mentioned.
The aforementioned points include all the aspects one needs to consider to ensure that their prized upholstery is taken cared by trustworthy hands. After all, for most of us, it also has an emotional value attached to it.