Cleaning

How Often Should You Clean Your Upholstery?

Published on December 18, 2025

Upholstered furniture plays a major role in everyday comfort. Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, and office seating are used daily, often without much thought given to how much dirt, dust, and residue they collect over time. Because upholstery doesn’t always show visible dirt straight away, cleaning is frequently delayed longer than it should be.

So, how often should you clean your upholstery?
The answer depends on how the furniture is used, who uses it, and the type of fabric involved. While regular vacuuming helps with surface dust, it doesn’t remove the deeper buildup that affects hygiene, appearance, and longevity.

This guide explains how often upholstery should be cleaned, what factors influence cleaning frequency, and when professional upholstery cleaning becomes the safer and more effective option.

Quick Answer: How Often Should Upholstery Be Cleaned?

For most households, professional upholstery cleaning is recommended every 12 to 18 months. However, this timeframe can change based on lifestyle and usage.

General upholstery cleaning guidelines:

Light or occasional use: Every 18–24 months
Average household use: Every 12–18 months
Homes with pets or children: Every 6–12 months
Offices and commercial seating: Every 6 months

Between professional cleans, routine vacuuming and prompt attention to spills help maintain furniture, but they don’t replace deep upholstery cleaning.

Why Upholstery Needs Regular Cleaning

Upholstery absorbs far more than most people realise. Over time, fabrics and padding collect:

Body oils and sweat
Dust and airborne particles
Food crumbs and spills
Pet hair and dander

These contaminants build up gradually and often sit below the visible surface. As a result, upholstery may look clean while still holding particles that affect comfort and indoor hygiene.

According to Raising Children Network’s information on allergies, dust and allergens commonly found inside homes can trigger allergic and respiratory symptoms. Soft furnishings such as upholstered furniture can trap these particles over time, making regular cleaning an important part of maintaining a healthier indoor environment.

This makes upholstery cleaning as much about wellbeing as it is about appearance.

Key Factors That Affect How Often Upholstery Should Be Cleaned

1. Frequency of Use

The more often a piece of furniture is used, the faster it accumulates oils, dust, and debris.

Daily-use sofas and armchairs require more frequent cleaning
Guest room furniture can go longer between cleans
Dining chairs often need attention sooner due to food exposure

High-contact areas such as seat cushions, armrests, and headrests usually show signs of wear first.

2. Pets in the Home

Pets significantly increase upholstery wear. Even well-groomed animals leave behind:

Fur and dander
Natural oils
Odours that settle into fabric

Pet accidents can soak into upholstery padding, where smells become difficult to remove without professional equipment. In pet households, professional upholstery cleaning every 6 to 12 months is often recommended.

3. Children and Everyday Spills

Homes with children experience more frequent:

Food and drink spills
Sticky residues
General wear from constant use

Even when spills are cleaned quickly, residue can remain in the fabric. Regular upholstery cleaning helps prevent stains from setting and reduces odour buildup.

4. Fabric Type and Upholstery Material

Different upholstery materials require different care schedules.

Synthetic fabrics resist staining but still trap oils and dust
Natural fibres like cotton and linen absorb moisture more easily
Delicate fabrics such as velvet require specialised handling
Leather upholstery needs periodic cleaning and conditioning

Fabric type plays a major role in determining how often professional cleaning is required.

Is Vacuuming Upholstery Enough?

Vacuuming upholstery is essential, but it only addresses surface-level dirt.

Vacuuming helps:

Remove loose dust and crumbs
Reduce surface allergens
Slow visible wear

However, it does not remove:

Embedded oils and sweat
Allergens deep within padding
Odours trapped beneath the surface

Professional upholstery cleaning penetrates deeper layers, removing contaminants that vacuuming alone cannot reach.

Signs Your Upholstery Needs Professional Cleaning

If you’re unsure whether it’s time to book upholstery cleaning, look for these common signs:

Fabric appears dull or discoloured
Persistent odours remain after airing out
Visible stains or dark patches
Upholstery feels sticky or rough
Allergy symptoms worsen indoors

These signs often develop gradually, which is why upholstery cleaning is frequently delayed longer than recommended.

Upholstery Cleaning Frequency by Environment

Residential Homes

Most homes benefit from professional upholstery cleaning every 12 to 18 months, depending on usage and household conditions.

Rental Properties

Upholstery cleaning is often recommended:

At the end of a tenancy
Before new tenants move in
After long-term occupancy

This helps maintain furniture condition and meet inspection expectations.

Offices and Commercial Spaces

Office chairs, waiting areas, and shared seating experience heavy use and should be professionally cleaned every 6 months to maintain hygiene and appearance.

What Happens If Upholstery Isn’t Cleaned Regularly?

Delaying upholstery cleaning can result in:

Permanent staining
Fabric fibre breakdown
Lingering odours
Reduced furniture lifespan

Dirt particles act as abrasives, slowly wearing down fabric fibres from the inside. Regular professional cleaning helps preserve upholstery and delay costly replacement.

DIY Upholstery Cleaning vs Professional Cleaning

DIY upholstery cleaning can be helpful for:

Small, fresh spills
Light surface maintenance

However, DIY methods often:

Over-wet fabrics
Leave residue behind
Fail to extract deep contaminants

Professional upholstery cleaning uses controlled moisture, fabric-appropriate techniques, and specialised equipment to deliver safer, longer-lasting results.

How Professional Upholstery Cleaning Helps

Professional upholstery cleaning:

Removes deeply embedded dirt and allergens
Reduces odours at the source
Restores fabric appearance
Supports better indoor hygiene

It also lowers the risk of damage to delicate or high-value furniture.

Find Upholstery Cleaning Services Near You

Upholstery cleaning services are available across multiple cities on Orderoo, helping you find suitable options based on your location and needs.

Upholstery cleaning in Sydney
Upholstery cleaning in Melbourne
Upholstery cleaning in Brisbane
Upholstery cleaning in Perth
Upholstery cleaning in Adelaide

Final Thoughts: How Often Is Often Enough?

So, how often should you clean your upholstery?
For most households, professional upholstery cleaning every 12 to 18 months offers the right balance between cleanliness and fabric care. Homes with pets, children, or allergies may benefit from more frequent cleaning.

Regular upholstery cleaning: