Can I use a steam cleaner to clean upholstered furniture?

What is a steam cleaner?

This steamer is a household appliance that will effectively clean and disinfect various surfaces: ceramic tiles, doors, windows, floors. The device does an excellent job of cleaning upholstered furniture: armchairs, sofas. It is important that the material does not deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures. If the furniture is covered with silk or linen, then processing with such a device will not work.

The design of the device includes:

water container;
electric heater in the form of a tube;
start button;
a nozzle into which steam is supplied;
flexible hose.

There are several options for steam cleaners, which are divided into several varieties, differing according to the following criteria:

Size. Stationary and small hand-held devices are produced.
Electric heater power. It happens from 1500 to 2000 watts.
Steam pressure. Varies from 2 to 4 bar.
Water container volume (1 – 1.5 l).
Regulation of the intensity of steam supply, available or not.
Number of functional attachments.

The operating principle of the device is simple. The water is heated in the tank until it boils. A powerful jet of steam is supplied through the nozzles to the surface of the object. The unit is very maneuverable, has several nozzles, due to which the jet penetrates into hard-to-reach areas. Using the device, you can easily process surfaces that have complex shapes.

Models and differences

Well-known brands of equipment for steam dry cleaning of sofas are Karcher, Ariete, Kitfort, Clatronic. The devices differ:

The power of the electric heater is from 2 to 4 Bar.
The mechanism is equipped with a steam supply regulator, auxiliary functions, a flexible hose or a stable tube.
Tank volume – small models with a capacity of 1 liter and overall 5 liters.
Steam pressure levels.
Sets of nozzles.
Dimensions. A steam cleaner for sofas can be manual with small-sized shapes, compact with medium dimensions, or stationary with high power to service large volumes of furniture. Suitable for offices, large premises and homes.

Choose a steam generator for cleaning furniture so that it is comfortable to use and performs the assigned tasks.

In order to efficiently organize the cleaning of a sofa or carpets with a steam cleaner and spend a minimum of time and effort on it, you should purchase a model that will fit comfortably in your hand and be relatively light in weight. For these purposes, steam cleaners from the Kärcher SC series are best suited, such as:

SC1 is a compact hand-held steam cleaner designed for quick cleaning of small surfaces, cleaning seams and recesses.
SC1.020 is one of the most popular and affordable devices; the kit also includes the necessary accessories - a hand nozzle, a cover for it, a terry cloth, etc.
SC2 is a budget option with good technical characteristics and a full set of basic functions; it exceeds SC1 by about 4 times in terms of continuous operation time.
SC3 - heats up in just 30 seconds, you can add water to it without taking a break in operation, and has an anti-scale protection system.
SC4 - cleaning a sofa with a Kärcher steam cleaner of this model brings a lot of pleasant moments. It is especially convenient to use, as it is equipped with a removable tank for refilling water and a contactless napkin replacement system.
SC5 is one of the most powerful devices in the series, with the innovative VapoHydro function, thanks to which you can remove the most stubborn stains.
The SC952 is a lightweight handheld steam cleaner, weighing only 1.2 kg, for quick cleaning with a round brush included.

Important! In order to choose the right model, decide what exactly and how often you will use it. Most of these devices are multifunctional, which makes it possible to use a steam cleaner not only for upholstered furniture, but also for many other surfaces. When purchasing, consult with the seller - he will help you choose the best option. Before first use, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions and strictly follow the recommendations contained therein.

If you prefer multifunctional devices, you will be interested in our review of vacuum cleaners with steam cleaners.

Advantages of cleaning a sofa with a steam cleaner

Cleaning a sofa with such a device is considered one of the best options, since cleaning is done carefully. Jets of steam penetrate deeply into the structure of the upholstery and filler, and clean the fibers from dirt embedded in them. In this case, the fabric does not stretch and is not damaged. The device allows you to steam a sofa made of almost any material.

Helpful information! Hot steam, directed by a strong jet, in addition to eliminating dust and dirt, successfully destroys dust mites that live in materials.
Models of steam cleaners are produced with reservoirs for detergents, which make it possible to most effectively destroy old stains of dirt. Cleaning a sofa with a steam cleaner has a number of undeniable advantages:

excellent upholstery cleaning;
degreasing materials and removing shiny stains;
getting rid of unpleasant odors;
disinfection of furniture surfaces - removal of pathogenic microbes, allergic substances, mold;
straightening folds and pile on fabric covers and decorative elements;
environmentally friendly, as no chemicals are used;
no streaks after treatment;
economical consumption of electricity and water;
versatility, as it combines several household appliances.

In addition, the device is simple and easy to use; working with it does not require special skills.

Benefits of steam cleaning

The furniture store staff has not only prepared for you a description of how to clean a sofa using a steam cleaner, but also compiled a list of the advantages of this method. Using Karcher is useful because in the process of such cleaning:

the device will be able to replace several types of household appliances and clean glass, metal and fabric products;
the air is purified and humidified;
steam removes stains from dyes, grease, wax, kills dust mites, eliminates mold;
will allow you to penetrate the most inaccessible areas.

Steam appliances do not require unnecessary physical and resource costs. Their advantage is the cost-effectiveness of water and electricity. They are simple and easy to use - you can choose the size to suit your strength. The devices improve the indoor microclimate: they bind dust and remove pathogenic microbes and bacteria.

Preparing the sofa for cleaning

Before you clean your sofa at home, you must first prepare it. Furniture should be vacuumed to remove debris that usually gets caught in corners and between upholstery. If the sofa has removable bolsters or pillows, they can be unfastened. The covers of various parts of the sofa and its covering are washable in a washing machine.

To steam your sofa well, it is important to choose the right nozzle. Round brushes are used for cleaning large surfaces, flat brushes are ideal for removing dust from crevices, and cone-shaped brushes are designed for hard-to-reach areas. To remove water and dirt, you will need a highly absorbent material - ideally microfiber.

The sofa cannot be cleaned if there are greasy stains on the surface. First, special cleaning agents should be applied to them. Dishwashing detergents, ordinary shampoos, and those preparations that break down fats are also used as such liquids.

Expert opinion

Sofia Kovalevskaya

Experienced housewife.

Ask me a question

Before the cleaning process, you need to check the device in a small, inconspicuous area. If the fabric is not damaged or the color has not changed, you can begin cleaning.

Video material

We hope that this article will convince you of the benefits of dry cleaning a sofa with a steam cleaner, will help you decide which model of Kärcher equipment to choose and how to correctly use a steam cleaner for upholstered furniture in practice. With this device you can clean not only upholstered furniture, but also carpet.

How to clean a sofa with a steam cleaner yourself?

To achieve a good result, special attention to the main processing points is necessary:

vapor temperature;
nozzle slope;
degree of humidity.

The effect of steam depends on the combined effects of temperature, pressure and rate of arrival at the surface. Due to these indicators, water vapor molecules penetrate into the smallest folds and crevices, perfectly removing dirt from there.

Important! It is prohibited to use the device on varnished surfaces that swell when exposed to high temperatures.

The furniture processing process is as follows:

pour water into the tank, possibly with the addition of detergent;
connect the device to electricity;
wait for the water to boil;
Cleanse slowly, working areas thoroughly.

If you were unable to clean some areas the first time, then the procedure should be repeated until the upholstery is perfectly clean.

It is not recommended to fill the reservoir to the brim so that the surface of the upholstered furniture is not too wet. As soon as the water in the steam generator runs out, the device is disconnected from power. A new portion of water is poured only after there is no steam left in the tank.

After cleaning, the product should dry well. Natural drying of upholstered furniture is a long process. To speed up the drying process, it is best to use a device with a built-in vacuum cleaner, thanks to which the upholstery will be dry within a few minutes. When drying naturally, it is necessary that the furniture is in a ventilated area.

How the steam cleaner works

The basis of operation of this device is hot steam. Hot steam, in turn, is supplied from the device’s container using pressure. Steam can penetrate into various places, including hard-to-reach places. This way it dissolves dirt, cleans the surface of the furniture and at the same time disinfects it. No additional use of chemical cleaning agents is required.

The principle of operation is that the water inside the tank begins to heat up, turning into steam, and then goes out into the pipe. This is a real miracle, because the dirt from the upholstered furniture disappears right before your eyes, and it is transformed. The result of this work is enormous popularity.

Let's look at the benefits of using a steam generator for cleaning furniture and carpets.

Useful tips for cleaning a sofa with a steam cleaner

To properly clean your sofa at home, use the following tips:

You need to pour settled or filtered water into the device’s reservoir. This is especially true for light-colored surfaces.
Small areas should be treated, not the entire surface at once. Immediately after treating a section of furniture, they should be wiped with microfiber to absorb the softened dirt.
When cleaning individual spots, the nozzle is directed at a certain angle. It turns out that the stain of dirt is blown onto the rag.
Cleaning the sofa should be done periodically to prevent severe contamination and disinfection. There is no need to paint your furniture to the point where it becomes dark. Then it will be problematic to deal with the dirt and restore the original appearance of the sofa.
Care should be taken when processing furniture near wooden or metal objects. If steam gets on them, you should immediately wipe them with a dry cloth.
If the upholstery has ruffles or ruffles, clean from top to bottom, stretching the material slightly. Proceed with caution to avoid burns.

Cleaning the sofa yourself with such a device is not difficult and even pleasant. The main thing is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, the advice of experienced specialists and handle the device correctly so as not to damage the furniture. You can clean your sofa at home easily and in a short time. Regular cleaning of the sofa at home will extend the life of the product and maintain its original attractive appearance.

How are steam cleaners different?

The main criteria by which steam cleaners can be divided into separate groups are:

size - divided into compact manual and larger - stationary;
water tank volume;
power of electric heaters;
presence or absence of steam flow intensity adjustment;
steam pressure - the average ranges from 3 to 4 bar;
number of multifunctional attachments included in the kit.

Plumbing

When cleaning the bathroom, it is important not to scratch the chrome surfaces of metal fittings. A point nozzle is placed on the steam cleaner, through which the contaminants are exposed. Soap and limescale dissolve under a stream of steam. If sufficiently hard deposits have formed on the surface or a grease film has formed, steam cleaning is combined with mechanical wiping with a brush. Recommendation: thick layers of limescale can be pre-moistened with diluted vinegar or citric acid to dissolve.

Clean the sofa and carpet

There are many bottlenecks in cleaning: the seam between the sink and the countertop, baseboards, radiators, rubber on the refrigerator door, grout on the kitchen splashback. Furniture causes a lot of difficulties: dust gets clogged in the wooden grooves and behind the sofa cushions, and it is impossible to get it out with a cloth.

A narrow nozzle penetrates into the space between the batteries, and the steam washes away the dust so that many owners change their mind about updating the color of old radiators. The same thing happens with the hood: the non-removable parts remain dirty, even if the filter can be cleaned. The steam assistant penetrates into hard-to-reach places; you just need to wipe it with a cloth, because the steam destroys dirt, but does not absorb it.

Even a hand-held steam cleaner with a long nozzle with a power of 1200 W or more can handle this.

Invisible to the eye, dust mites live in pillows, mattresses, sofa upholstery, and soft toys. A vertical or floor-mounted steam cleaner with a power of 1200 W or more with a furniture cleaning attachment will cope with pests. If there is an old stain on the sofa, try soaking it first: after exposure to steam, it should come off easier.

A steam cleaner cannot be used as a vacuum cleaner, but it replaces a mop and copes much better with tiles and tiles, especially if they are grooved. Vertical devices are designed for these purposes. The rotating brush picks up lint and small debris that the vacuum cleaner cannot handle.

Remember when purchasing

pay attention to the length of the cord when buying a floor-standing model;
the iron attachment replaces the steamer;
figurines, photo frames, flower pots and other “dust collectors” are cleaned using a standard nozzle;
steam vacuum cleaner - a separate device with similar technology that dissolves contaminants with steam and sucks them up;
fill with regular water, as distilled water produces steam less well;
Clean the container from scale using a special product as often as indicated in the instructions for the device.

Operating principle and scope of application of the Kärcher steam cleaner

The main function of a steam cleaner is to supply steam to the surface to clean it. Its design features are designed to release steam under high pressure. This is achieved by heating water in a special tank called a steam boiler. Various types of steam cleaners allow you to achieve steam pressure in the boiler within 4 Bar. With the help of special attachments that come with the steam cleaner, you can perform various types of cleaning jobs. Among these works are:

Cleaning hard floors;
Washing of window structures and mirrors;
Cleaning upholstered furniture (sofas, armchairs) and kitchen furniture;
Removing contaminants from hard-to-reach places.

Which models of Karcher steam cleaners are most suitable for cleaning a sofa?

Most of the models presented by the Karcher brand are multifunctional and can have a wide range of applications. Therefore, the choice of device should be made with the help of consultation with the seller. The following models of Karcher steam cleaners will help you cope perfectly with cleaning your sofa:

SC2 – characterized by an affordable price, an optimal set of functions and a good indicator of operating time;
SC4 – allows you to refill with water, thanks to the presence of a replaceable tank. Another significant advantage is the microfiber cloth replacement system, which prevents contact with dirt;
SC1702 – allows you to adjust the steam power and wash away dirt by adding water to the steam flow;
SC5 – is distinguished by increased power and the presence of a 4-stage regulator, which allows you to select the optimal steam consumption.