Can a Steam Cleaner get the job done on Upholstery?
June 13, 2025

Can a Steam Cleaner get the job done on Upholstery?

For many people, that single act feels more satisfying than a week of blowing out dust with an ordinary vacuum. The steam also sterilises on contact, killing lingering germs that, quite frankly, nobody wants lounging on the living room sofa. You finish the job and sit down, knowing the fabric is fresh, not just dry. 

Another selling point is safety. High-temperature steam usually melts grime without reaching for harsh, synthetic cleaners that can irritate children or pets. Upholstery fabric does not absorb a lot of moisture, thus it will dry easily and will not stay out of shape worst thing most people do is get impatient and move the nozzle too fast- often they think they are missing a spot when they are overdoing it. 

Have you ever been seated on your sofa and asked yourself when you last cleaned your sofa? Or noticed a queer smell lurking around your couch and chairs? 

How Do You Use a Steam Cleaner to Clean Upholstery?

Enter the steam cleaning, the Superman of your clothes. It is eco-friendly, energy-cleansing and surprisingly fun to watch! Whether it is ordinary dirt or the stubborn stains, a steam cleaner will have your upholstery looking like new. In the blog today we shall provide you with a step-by-step procedure on how to steam clean your furniture like a Bond Cleaners Perth professional. Then grab your machine, roll up your sleeves and be ready to indulge on your sofa on a spa day!

1. Vacuum the Upholstery

Loose soil and debris set the stage for deeper cleaning, so let the vacuum do the early work. Run the machine with the brush head across every visible panel of fabric. Follow along seams and beneath cushions to lift pet hair, dander, dust, and lingering pollen. Remove the cushions and tackle their surfaces separately. A narrow crevice tool is useful for sliding into the narrow pockets at the side. Do not overlook the back of the piece; grime collects there as well.   

2. Treat the Stains 

Spot discolourations call for a targeted treatment before the steam cleaner takes over. Either a homemade all-purpose solution or a commercial upholstery spot remover will loosen the mark. Apply a small amount, wait five minutes, and then blot gently with a soft microfiber cloth. The stain usually yields in that short window. Many professional cleaners in Canberra pre-treat blemishes, citing the sparkling results that follow. If the steam unit includes a built-in stain function, the pre-soak may be unnecessary.

3. Prepare your Steam Cleaner

Begin by loosening the boiler’s cap- most models require only a moderate twist or pull. After carefully filling the reservoir with fresh water, screw the cap until it feels like it seats.  After that, attach the steam gun’s hose, turn on the safety lock, and plug the device into a grounded outlet. Give the cleaner a few minutes to build pressure; listen for the familiar click or hiss that signals readiness. 

Pay strict attention to the manufacturer’s guide; even small deviations can affect performance. Resist the temptation to top off the tank beyond its fill line, or excess water may spout onto fabric and create new blotches. For upholstered surfaces, select a revolving or stationary brush, depending on the fabric weave and pile height. 

4. Clean the Cushions First 

When cushions are removable, lift each pillow and treat them separately before turning to the main seating area. Keep the steam-cleaning attachment about 2 inches from the surface, squeeze the trigger to produce a steady plume of steam, and perform overlapping strokes with the nozzle to allow heat and moisture to soften dirt from inside.

5. Clean the remaining upholstery by Steam Cleaning it.

Vacuum clean the rest of the fabric furniture just as you did the cushions. Clean one small area at a time to avoid the grime and dust. Once you have decided on the steam pressure to use on your upholstery, depress the steam and run the attached brush on the cleaning tool over a smaller area of your fabric furniture.

Leave to stand 20 minutes and examine the surface you have cleaned. In case you are satisfied with the outcomes, you may proceed to clean the remaining part of your sofa with the same method.

Hint: You may also seek professional assistance from the trained cleaners in Canberra who can make your job of upholstery cleaning a breeze, particularly when you are faced with a strict time deadline. And they also use toxin-free cleaners more than the chemical-based products, which contain harmful chemicals.

6. Allow Fabric Furniture to Dry

After cleaning all the upholstery, allow it to dry thoroughly. This time can be modified concerning the humidity of the steam cleaning used, as well as the weather of that particular day. To accelerate the drying, you can use a fan or open a window.

Hint: In case of any discolouration following the steam clean, you might have to repeat the treatment.

7. Vacuum it Again

Once the upholstery is dry, vacuum it a second time. This should assist you in eliminating dirt and grime that the steam cleaner has loosened but that the attached brush or a microfiber cloth has failed to absorb. After the grout is fully dry, vacuum the place once more to get rid of any remaining debris or loosened dirt and cleaning residue. This last vacuum gives a clean final appearance and helps to avoid the settling of the grime back into the grout lines. It is advisable to use a brush attachment to have more control when applying paint on tile edges and corners.

Conclusion

Modern steam cleaning equipment puts the routine care of fabric furniture well within reach of any homeowner willing to follow basic guidelines. A quick pass over the upholstery with the right method can restore its colour and texture at little extra cost and with no harsh chemicals. Renters preparing to hand back the keys often find that a professional end-of-lease team in Canberra completes the task more swiftly than a weekend of scrubbing. Their specialised gear and familiarity with landlords’ expectations usually ensure that the property is spotless and the full bond refund remains intact.