How much does sofa cleaning cost? [October 2025]

How much does sofa cleaning cost?

A professional sofa cleaning service usually costs between £40 - £150 per sofa (including VAT).

The exact price will depend on a few different things, but the size of the sofa will usually be the largest factor. 

Some sofa cleaners may charge a flat rate per sofa, but others will charge a price per seat, typically £15 - £25 per seat. For example, a 2-seater sofa will usually cost much less to clean than a large corner or L-shaped sofa.

If you’re moving out of a rental property, booking a professional sofa clean can help you avoid deposit deductions for stains, odours, or general wear. Most cleaning companies allow you to add sofa cleaning to your end of tenancy clean, often alongside carpets, mattresses, and other upholstery. 

How does the minimum charge work for sofa cleaning?

Most professional sofa cleaners have a minimum spend, which is usually between £50 and £100 (inc. VAT). This charge covers the cleaner’s travel, setup, and use of specialist equipment. Professional sofa cleaning involves high-powered machines, detergents, and extraction tools, which aren’t cost-effective for just one very small item.

This means that even if you only want one armchair or a couple of cushions cleaned, you’ll still be charged the minimum. To get better value, it's best to add other upholstery items such as rugs, mattresses, or carpets so you get the most out of your booking. 

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What factors affect the cost of sofa cleaning?
 

Alongside the size of your sofa, several other factors can influence the cost of sofa cleaning - including the type of fabric, when you book, and whether you go with an independent cleaner or a larger sofa cleaning company.

1. Fabric type 

Most types of sofas can be cleaned using hot water extraction (steam cleaning). However, sofas made from delicate fabrics such as silk, suede, or velvet often require specialist dry cleaning, which is more expensive. 

2. When you book

Most sofa cleaners will charge a premium for bookings during unsociable hours, for example, evenings, early mornings, weekends and bank holidays. You can also expect to pay more for next-day or same-day bookings. 

3. Who you book with

You'll find that independent sofa cleaners will charge a lower rate than larger companies. Despite the higher cost, professional sofa companies come with plenty of benefits, such as instant online bookings, more availability, same-day slots, and access to a responsive customer service team in case anything goes wrong.  

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What methods are used for sofa cleaning?

Professional sofa cleaners typically use one of two methods, depending on the fabric.

Hot water extraction (steam cleaning): This is the most common and effective method for most sofa fabrics. It uses a mix of hot water and detergent to deep clean fibres, followed by powerful extraction to remove dirt and excess moisture. This method is great for removing stains, odours, allergens, and general dirt.

Dry cleaning: For moisture-sensitive fabrics (like suede, velvet, and silk), dry cleaning is used instead. A special solvent is applied with minimal water. While this method is gentler than steam cleaning, it's not as effective for removing stubborn stains.
 

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What are the benefits of professional sofa cleaning?

1. Remove stains, odours & allergens from your sofa

Sofas absorb all kinds of dirt and debris over time - from dust and pet hair to cooking smells and body oils. Professional sofa cleaning lifts out deep-set dirt, odours, and bacteria that regular vacuuming can’t remove.

2. Prolong the lifespan of your sofa 

Over time, dirt and oils can actually damage the fibres and filling of your sofa. Regular professional cleaning helps protect your sofa and keep it looking good for longer.

3. Restore the look & comfort of your sofa
 

Fabrics can fade, fibres flatten, and stains build up after years of use. A professional sofa clean can brighten colours, revive the fabric’s texture, and leave your sofa feeling fresher and more comfortable.

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How often should I clean my sofa?

At Housekeep, we recommend cleaning your sofa every 12-18 months. However, you might need more frequent cleaning if you have pets or young children, you smoke indoors, your sofa is in a high-traffic area, or someone in your home suffers from asthma. 

If you’re moving out of a rental property, your sofa will need to be left in the same clean condition as when you first moved in to avoid deductions from your deposit. You'll usually be able to add sofa cleaning as well as other upholstery cleaning to your professional end of tenancy clean for an additional cost. You're wondering how much an end of tenancy clean costs, you can find out through our comprehensive cost guide. 

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Is it better value to hire a sofa cleaner machine?

You can rent upholstery cleaning machines from retailers like B&Q or through RugDoctor for around £20 - £35 per day, plus the cost of cleaning solutions.

This can be cost-effective for small jobs, but there are a few drawbacks:

• Machines are heavy and need to be collected and returned.
• Rental machines are less powerful than professional ones, so results may not be as thorough.
• It takes time and effort to do the cleaning yourself.
• If used incorrectly, DIY cleaning can leave water stains or even damage delicate fabrics.

For a quick refresh or a single small item, renting a machine might be worthwhile. But for larger sofas, or if you want a guaranteed deep clean, booking a professional is usually the better option.

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Where can I book a professional sofa clean?

There are plenty of ways to find an upholstery cleaner, from asking your family and friends, to local groups on social media. 

You can search for certified upholstery cleaners through the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), who list trained sofa and upholstery cleaners in its online directory. 

Or, you can book directly with a professional cleaning service, like Housekeep. Just let us know what needs cleaning, and we'll give you an instant quote. You can also add other upholstery services to your booking, such as carpet, mattress, curtain or blind cleaning.
 

Written by Georgina Shepherd & Henry Paterson

Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.

With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.