Upholstery cleaning: compare quotes and prices

Which upholstered items need cleaning?

Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs and office seats involve different work. Mattresses, upholstered headboards and bed frames may also be included. Cleaning a mattress does not automatically include the whole bed.

List item types and quantities separately. For sofas, total seating capacity helps; corners, chaise sections and extra cushions can be clarified before the final price. For mattresses, number, width and faces matter. A double bed may contain one wide mattress or two singles.

Treat fabric, leather and faux leather separately

Fibre, colourfastness, texture and care instructions determine what the cover can tolerate. A label or manufacturer name helps but is not essential for the initial request. The company should check compatibility before work.

Leather and faux leather do not require the same care products as fabric. A treatment designed for car leather is not automatically suitable for a sofa. Unknown material can remain unspecified in the form.

A zip does not mean a cover is machine-washable. Have the care label and construction checked before removing or soaking covers. Specific manufacturer instructions matter more than general cleaning advice for delicate textiles.

Plan cleaning and drying together

For suitable textiles, spray extraction loosens dirt with a cleaning solution and removes it by suction. It is not automatically appropriate for every item. Water resistance and colourfastness need assessment. Steam cleaning is a different process and may be expressly unsuitable for some covers.

After wet cleaning, both cover and filling need adequate drying. Duration varies with material, filling, moisture introduced and room conditions. Ask when your particular item can be used again rather than relying on one drying time for everything.

Allow a margin, especially for your only sleeping mattress or before an event. Protective treatment is a separate decision; it does not make a delicate fabric withstand every kind of use.

Realistic expectations for stains and odours

Everyday dirt differs from absorbed drinks, grease or urine. Odour may originate deeper in the padding than a visible mark suggests. Describe the cause where known and tell the company about products already used.

Repeated attempts can leave residue, rings or material changes that need consideration. Cleaning cannot repair torn fabric or replace collapsed padding.

Lighter or darker areas are not always dirt: use can alter the pile direction of some fabrics. Complete removal of every stain or smell cannot therefore be guaranteed. Cleaning alone is also not a guaranteed pest treatment or allergy treatment.

What does upholstery cleaning cost?

Swiss examples checked in October 2026: one provider lists two- and three-seater sofas from CHF 149 and CHF 189; another from CHF 150 and CHF 180. These are starting prices, not ceilings. Neither price list expressly clarifies VAT.

The second provider requires a minimum CHF 250 order in Zurich: an advertised CHF 150 two-seater does not meet that alone. Confirm region, extras and VAT. These examples do not establish a nationwide price range.

Also compare pre-treatment, backs and sides, cushions, travel and extra treatments. For many seats or sofas, an assessment of the full job may be more useful than multiplying an advertised unit price.

• Quantity and material. Separate furniture types, sizes and unusual covers.
• Included work. Pre-treatment, odours, backs, cushions and transport.
• Total. Minimum order, travel, VAT and approval of additional charges.

Prepare the appointment simply

Many items can be cleaned on site. Confirm that the company offers this for your furniture or whether parts need to be taken away. Clear access, space around the item and the required water and electricity help the work proceed.

Photos and dimensions may help later with unusual furniture but are not compulsory for the first request. Remove loose belongings; agree heavy moving and dismantling beforehand. In commercial premises, schedule work and drying around use.

Record known damage before cleaning. Afterwards, discuss remaining marks, drying and suitable routine care instead of relying on a blanket promise that everything will look new.