Steam Cleaning vs. Dry Cleaning: Which Is Best for Your Upholstery?

Your upholstery faces a lot. From accidental spills to pets, it can be very easy for your furniture to start looking a little worse for wear, but when it comes to steam cleaning vs dry cleaning, which is best for restoring your upholstery?

It can be tough to know how to choose the right cleaning method for upholstery, so we thought we would take a closer look at both options so you can make an informed decision.

What is steam cleaning?

Steam cleaning is one of the most popular deep-cleaning upholstery methods. The process uses hot water vapour to deeply clean the fibres, removing all signs of dirt, bacteria and grime. It requires a specialist machine known as a steam cleaner that injects the steam into your furniture, leaving it looking as good as new without the need for harsh chemicals. You can find a variety of steam cleaners at John Lewis.

Steam cleaning for furniture is particularly useful for households with young children or pets, which can quickly see dirt build up on furniture.

What is dry cleaning?

One of the most popular deep cleaning upholstery methods, dry cleaning utilises specialist cleaning solvents and solutions that are very low in moisture. These methods do not use any water, which can often cause certain fabrics to shrink or lose colour, and instead use chemicals to break down dirt, bacteria and stains to restore your upholstery.

Steam cleaning vs dry cleaning: The key differences

Now you know what both are, what are some of the key differences between steam and dry cleaning your upholstery?

1) Moisture levels

When it comes to steam cleaning vs dry cleaning, one of the key differences between the two is the levels of moisture involved. Steam cleaning uses steam from water to deeply penetrate fabrics whereas dry cleaning uses minimal to no water, making it ideal for fabrics that might be susceptible to shrinking.

2) Cleaning depth

Although the two are amongst the best methods to clean upholstery, another key difference is the depth of cleaning they provide. Steam cleaning penetrates deep into the upholstery, removing dirt, allergens and bacteria throughout whereas dry cleaning is usually utilised to target surface-level stains.

3) Chemical usage

Steam cleaning relies primarily on heat and water, which makes it an eco-friendlier option for households. On the other hand, dry cleaning utilises chemical solvents.

4) Drying time

Finally, drying time is another significant difference. As it utilises water vapour, steam cleaning can take a long time to dry, whereas dry cleaning has minimal drying time, with your furniture often ready for use again in less than an hour.

You may also like: How Upholstery Cleaning Helps with Allergies and Respiratory Issues

Steam cleaning vs dry cleaning: The pros and cons of each

When looking for the best method to clean upholstery, both steam cleaning and dry cleaning have their pros and cons.

Upholstery steam cleaning benefits

Steam cleaning for furniture can provide a wide range of benefits. The first is that it offers a deep level of cleaning, thoroughly removing dirt, grime and allergens from deep within your furniture. The high temperatures used also mean it can kill bacteria, dust mites and viruses that might be found within your upholstery, helping you to create a healthier living environment.

As the primary cleaning method is steam and there are no chemicals utilised, steam cleaning for furniture is an eco-friendly option. This helps homeowners to reduce their environmental impact and is particularly useful for those with sensitive skin.

Steam cleaning is also a very versatile option. Safe for use on a wide variety of fabrics, it is ideal for cleaning everything from synthetic to heavily soiled fabrics.

Upholstery steam cleaning downsides

While it is certainly one of the best methods to clean upholstery, steam cleaning does have some downsides. It can take a particularly long time for your upholstery to dry, meaning you will not be able to use it for a while. It may also not be suitable for more delicate fabrics, leading to colour fading or the fabric shrinking.

Steam cleaning also requires specialist equipment and should be undertaken by experienced cleaners to prevent damage or saturation.

Upholstery dry cleaning benefits

Dry cleaning can also provide homeowners with a number of benefits. The first is that it is a very safe cleaning technique, and is suitable for furniture using materials such as silk, velvet or other more delicate options.

As it uses almost no water, dry cleaning is also very quick drying, which means the process is far faster than steam. The targeted cleaning of surface stains will quickly restore your furniture without soaking the fabric.

Upholstery dry cleaning downsides

As with steam cleaning, there are also some downsides to dry cleaning. The first is that the chemicals used may leave behind a residue that could irritate those with sensitive skin. Dry cleaning is predominantly used to target surface-level stains, so it might not be the most useful option for targeting dirt and allergens that are deep in the furniture. The chemicals used are also far less environmentally friendly in comparison to steam.

Read also: Velvet Upholstery Maintenance: The Complete Cleaning Guide

Steam cleaning vs dry cleaning: Which should you choose?

When it comes to finding the best method to clean upholstery, there are a number of factors that you need to consider. The first is the type of fabric you are looking to clean. If you want to clean delicate or water-sensitive fabrics, dry cleaning is a safer option, whereas steam cleaning can be the better choice for more durable types of furniture.

You should also consider the type of cleaning that you require. Steam cleaning is the best option if you are looking for a thorough and deep clean that removes all signs of dirt and allergens. However, for quick spot-cleaning, then dry cleaning can be a more preferable option.

Homeowners might also want to consider the environmental factors when searching for professional upholstery cleaning option.

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