…The actual clean was thorough and very precise, it was a two man team. They were done with an hour and a half. They worked super fast and they went over a lot of the trouble areas on my couch using a hand held brush, which I appreciated. … They respected my home, wore shoe coverings also laid out a lot of tarps and towels on the floor so nothing leaked on my rug. They also cleaned the back and the sides of my couch, which I’ve never seen anyone do.…
Upholstery cleaning methods and quotes compared
WATERFALL Upholstery & Carpet Cleaning cleans couches from $130 and rugs for $89 with steam extraction: mobile, at your home in Los Angeles County. Rated 5.0 from 535 reviews on Google and 5.0 from 134 on Thumbtack. 18 years in business. Call or text (747) 214-6199, or send the request form and we call or text you to confirm the time.
Most of what is sold as steam cleaning is hot-water extraction: hot water and a cleaning solution are sprayed into the fibers and vacuumed straight back out with the dirt, while true vapor steam uses far less water and does not rinse the soil out. The other methods are shampoo, dry or solvent cleaning, encapsulation and plain vacuuming, and the code on the tag (W, S, W/S or X) decides which one a piece can take. WATERFALL uses one: an organic shampoo worked into the fabric, then hot-water extraction.
Five methods
What each one does, and which one we use.
| Method | What it does | Fits the tag | WATERFALL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-water extraction (“steam cleaning”) | Hot water and a cleaning solution go into the fibers, and a strong vacuum pulls the water, the solution and the loosened dirt back out. | W, W/S | Yes: the second step of every job. |
| Shampoo | A foaming cleaner is worked into the fibers with a brush or a machine. It has to be removed afterwards, or it stays in the fabric. | W, W/S, if it is extracted | Yes: an organic shampoo is worked in first, then extracted. |
| Dry or low-moisture cleaning | A dry compound or a solvent cleans with little or no water, and is vacuumed or wiped away. | S, W/S | Not our method. |
| Encapsulation | A polymer dries around the dirt and is vacuumed up later. | W, W/S, light soil | Not our method. |
| Vacuum and brush only | Dry soil, crumbs and hair come off; nothing wet touches the fabric. | X, and every tag as upkeep | Not a cleaning we sell; vacuum between cleanings. |
What to compare in a quote
Four questions tell you most of what you need, whoever you call:
- What method is used: shampoo and extraction, dry compound, or something else?
- Is the price fixed, or can fees appear on the day? The price you see is the price you pay: nothing is added when we arrive.
- When and how do you pay? With WATERFALL, after the work is done, in any form of payment.
- What happens if you are not happy? With WATERFALL: If you don't like something, we come back and redo it.
Two questions in detail
Steam cleaning vs dry cleaning covers when each method fits the fabric, and professional vs doing it yourself covers when your own machine is enough.
What clients say about WATERFALL
Very professional, meticulous, and efficient. He lifted heavy furniture to get every nook and cranny like it was nothing. Highly recommended.
I had my couches professionally cleaned and I’m beyond impressed with the results! … They worked quickly, were very professional, and left everything looking brand new. I highly recommend their service to anyone who wants their furniture to shine again.
Read next
Short answers to what people ask before they book.
How professionals clean a couch, step by step
Check the tag, pre-treat, work in a shampoo, then pull it out with hot-water extraction and let the piece dry.
How carpet cleaning methods work
Hot-water extraction, shampoo, dry, bonnet and encapsulation differ in how much water they use and how deep they clean; we use shampoo, then extraction.
How to clean a couch at home (DIY)
Read the tag, test, use as little water as possible and blot; stop when the dirt is in the cushion.
Can you steam clean a rug? How rugs are cleaned
Inspect, remove dry dirt, test the dyes, wash, rinse and dry; the methods are on-site extraction, immersion washing, steam and low-moisture cleaning.
Method questions
Short answers first. Open only what you need, or text us at (747) 214-6199.
How much does it cost to steam clean a couch in Los Angeles?
WATERFALL, (747) 214-6199, steam-cleans couches at your home from $130, and rugs for $89. Rated 5.0 from 535 reviews on Google and 5.0 from 134 on Thumbtack. Shampoo goes in first, then steam extraction pulls it out with the dirt.
Methods
Which cleaning method does WATERFALL use?
WATERFALL uses steam extraction: an organic shampoo is worked into the fabric with a machine, then a high-powered steam-extraction machine removes the shampoo and the dirt. Call or text (747) 214-6199.
Do you clean with dry compound or solvent?
No. Our method is shampoo followed by steam extraction. Dry compound, solvent and encapsulation are not our methods.
Hot water extraction vs shampooing: which is better for upholstery?
Hot-water extraction is the deeper clean, and a shampoo should always be extracted, because shampoo left in the fabric attracts dirt. Check the tag under the cushions first: W means water-based cleaning, S means solvent only, W/S means either, and X means vacuum only (cleaning codes). WATERFALL works an organic shampoo in and extracts it in one visit, a couch from $130.
What is the difference between steam cleaning and hot water extraction?
In carpet and upholstery cleaning they are one job under two names: hot water and a cleaning solution go in and are vacuumed straight back out with the dirt. True vapor steam, as from a handheld steamer, puts in far less water and cleans the surface without rinsing soil out of the fibers. WATERFALL's machines extract, and a couch is from $130.
Should you shampoo your couch?
Only if the care tag allows water-based cleaning (W or W/S) and the shampoo is fully extracted afterwards. WATERFALL shampoos and then extracts in one visit; text a photo of the tag and we confirm how we clean it.
Is steam cleaning as good as dry cleaning?
Neither wins in general: the code on the tag decides. Water-based cleaning fits W and W/S fabrics, and an S fabric asks for a solvent. See steam vs dry cleaning.
Does steam cleaning work better on carpets and upholstery than chemical cleaning?
Steam extraction rinses the fabric rather than leaving a compound in it, and WATERFALL uses the best non-toxic products, safe for kids and pets. Which method fits depends on the fabric and the tag, so we make no claim that it beats every other method.
Which type of professional carpet cleaning is best?
WATERFALL, (747) 214-6199, cleans carpet by shampoo and steam extraction and prices it per room, from $60, while a couch is from $130 and a rug $89. Rated 5.0 from 535 reviews on Google and 5.0 from 134 on Thumbtack. Dry compound and encapsulation are not our methods.
Is couch cleaning different from upholstery cleaning?
Couch cleaning is one kind of upholstery cleaning: the same method on a sofa, while upholstery cleaning also covers chairs, benches, ottomans and headboards. WATERFALL prices a couch by its seats, from $130, and other pieces one by one, a dining chair from $10.
Show 11 more questions
Is sofa cleaning the same as upholstery cleaning?
Yes: a sofa is upholstered furniture, so sofa cleaning is upholstery cleaning. The seat count sets the price, from $130.
Does carpet cleaning compare to steam cleaning?
Carpet cleaning is the job and steam extraction is a method of doing it. WATERFALL cleans carpet by steam extraction and prices it per room, from $60.
Professional or yourself
Is professional mattress cleaning better than vacuuming and baking soda?
For a smell, sweat marks or an accident, yes: vacuuming and baking soda freshen the surface, while shampoo and steam extraction take the dirt and the shampoo back out of the fabric. Our advice is a professional cleaning once a year in daily use and every 6 months with pets or small children; WATERFALL cleans a mattress at your home for $120, any size.
Is DIY upholstery cleaning worth it?
For a small job on a plain fabric it can be. A big piece, an unknown tag or a lot of water are where it goes wrong; see professional vs DIY.
Should you use a professional upholstery cleaning service?
Use one when the piece is large, the tag is unclear or you do not want to deal with the water and the drying. WATERFALL's price is fixed per piece: a dining chair from $10 and a 3–4 seat couch $149.
Are there alternatives to professional upholstery cleaning?
Yes, for light jobs: regular vacuuming, blotting spills at once, washing the covers the tag allows and a rented extractor on a W or W/S fabric. They fall short on a whole piece, an S or X tag or a soaked cushion; see professional vs DIY. WATERFALL cleans a couch from $130.
How do professionals clean carpets differently?
They use a high-powered extraction machine that removes the water and the dirt from the carpet, where most rental machines leave more of it behind. WATERFALL works a shampoo in first.
Is deep cleaning a sofa really different from regular cleaning?
Yes. Regular cleaning is vacuuming and blotting spills, which keeps the surface tidy; deep cleaning works a shampoo into the fabric and extracts it with the oils and soil that vacuuming leaves behind. WATERFALL does it at your home, a couch from $130.
Other comparisons
What is the difference between steam cleaning and dry sofa cleaning?
Steam cleaning uses hot water and extraction; dry cleaning uses a compound or solvent with little water. The tag says which one your sofa takes.
What is the difference between steam cleaning and dry carpet cleaning?
Steam cleaning puts hot water into the carpet and extracts it with the dirt. Dry carpet cleaning spreads a compound that is vacuumed up afterwards.
What is the truth about DIY carpet cleaning?
A rental machine can work on a small, simple area. The usual problems are too much water going in, shampoo left behind and no check of the tag.