September 29, 2026

How Much Does Upholstery Cleaning Cost?

Upholstery

Sit on the end of your couch and look at the armrest. Is it a shade darker than the cushion next to it? That's years of hands, skin oil and the odd spilled coffee, and it's usually the moment people start googling cleaning prices.

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The trouble is, the numbers online are all over the place. So instead of vague averages, here's how much upholstery cleaning costs with us in San Francisco, what can push the price up, and when cleaning honestly isn't worth your money.

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Quick answer

Sofa and loveseat cleaning starts at $220, armchairs and recliners at $95, and dining chairs and ottomans at $35. Our minimum service fee in San Francisco is $210. Pet stain and odor treatment, heavy soiling, and fabric protection are quoted separately.

Upholstery Cleaning Prices by Furniture Type

For our upholstery and furniture cleaning in San Francisco, we charge per piece, not by the hour, based on size, fabric and condition. No clock-watching, and no surprise bill because the job ran long.

Furniture Starting price
Sofas & loveseats From $220
Armchairs & recliners From $95
Dining chairs & ottomans From $35
Sectionals Quoted after seeing photos
Office & commercial furniture Quoted by job (B2B programs)
Minimum service fee (SF) $210

The price covers the whole process:

  • We check your fabric and its cleaning code.
  • We test a hidden spot when needed.
  • We pre-treat stains.
  • We deep clean with hot water extraction, or a low-moisture method for delicate pieces.

Cushions are included, and you don't have to unzip anything.

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Leather furniture is a separate service. See our leather cleaning and restoration page.

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What a typical booking costs

One armchair

1 armchair from $95

$210

Minimum applies

Six dining chairs

6 dining chairs from $35 each

$210

One sofa

1 sofa from $220

$220

Sofa + two armchairs

$220 sofa + 2 armchairs from $95 each

$410

Sofa + loveseat + ottoman

$220 sofa + $220 loveseat + $35 ottoman

$475

Starting costs. Final prices depend on size, fabric and condition.

The $210 minimum covers travel and setup. So if you're only booking one chair, throw in the ottoman or a couple of dining chairs. You're paying for the trip anyway.

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What Makes Upholstery Cleaning Cost More?

Body oil buildup. Skin oil, sweat and lotion slowly darken armrests, headrests and seat edges. The more buildup, the more pre-treatment it needs.

Pet stains and odors. Pet accidents soak down into the cushion, which is why sprays only hide the smell for a few days. Getting rid of the smell for good means treating the source, so pet urine and odor removal is quoted separately.

Delicate fabrics. Cotton and linen can shrink or water-mark. Wool needs wool-safe products. Velvet has to be cleaned with the pile so it doesn't crush. These fabrics need a slower, gentler clean than a tough microfiber couch.

A DIY clean gone wrong. Store-bought spot cleaners leave a sticky film that attracts dirt, so the spot often ends up darker than before. Scrubbing with water can leave rings or brown marks. We see this all the time, and fixing it is often more work than the original spill. If you've already tried and it went wrong, leave it for professional stain removal rather than scrubbing harder.

Stairs and parking. Let us know about walk-ups or tight parking when you book, so we arrive ready.

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Is Upholstery Cleaning Worth It?

Usually, yes. Cleaning costs a fraction of reupholstering or buying new. But it can't fix everything, and we'd rather tell you before you book.

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Beverly, one of our customers, had her 15-year-old sofa cleaned and told us it looks like new. Fifteen years! If the fabric and frame are sound, a lot of "old" furniture is really just dirty furniture.

Cleaning fixes

  • Dark, greasy armrests
  • Food and drink spills
  • Pet smellsPet stain and odor treatment is quoted separately
  • Dust and allergensIf anyone at home has allergies, ask about adding an allergy treatment
  • Flat, tired-looking fabric

Cleaning won't fixThese need an upholsterer

  • Sun fading
  • Bleach or acne cream marks
  • Worn-through fabric
  • Old brown stains set into natural fibers
  • Saggy cushions and broken springs

Pilling? It doesn't wash out either, though a separate lint, pilling and pet hair removal service can help.

Not sure which side your piece is on? Send photos first to find out if it's worth cleaning at all.

One more thing: if a quote is far lower than everyone else's, ask what it includes. Skipping the fabric test or pre-treatment is exactly how a cheap clean ends in a shrunken cushion or a brown ring.

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Our IICRC-certified technicians test first and use plant-based, low-VOC products, so there's no chemical smell hanging around afterward.

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5 Ways to Save on Upholstery Cleaning

  1. Book several pieces at once so the minimum fee covers more furniture.
  2. Don't wait years between cleanings. Light dirt comes out faster than heavy buildup. Every 12 to 24 months works for most homes.
  3. Skip store-bought spot cleaners. Blot fresh spills with a clean, dry white cloth and don't rub. Water scrubbed into one spot can leave rings, especially on cotton and linen.
  4. Only add protector if it's worth it. Ask whether your fabric benefits from our green fabric protector before paying for it.
  5. Send photos first for an accurate quote, and to find out if a piece is worth cleaning at all.

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Not Sure If Your Couch Is Worth Cleaning?

Snap a few photos, including the armrests and any stains or pet spots, and send them over. We'll tell you what it'll cost and what cleaning can realistically improve. If it won't make enough of a difference, we'll say so.

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Want to compare other services too? Check our pricing page, or read how carpet and upholstery cleaning costs differ.

[ Get an accurate quote ]

Along with your photos, let us know about:

  • Every piece you'd like cleaned.
  • Any sectionals.
  • Pet stains or odors.
  • Walk-ups or tight parking.
  • Fabric protector.

FAQ

How much does it cost to clean a couch?

How much does it cost to clean a sectional?

Does pet stain and odor removal cost extra?

How long does upholstery take to dry?

Do I need to take the cushion covers off?

If you have questions about this topic or about maintaining clean carpets, upholstery, rugs, and other surfaces at home, you can explore our related articles for detailed, expert-backed guidance.
Andrea Varnai

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(415) 991-0500