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How To Keep Your Leather Couch Clean

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “I moved into a house with my girlfriend and was given the ultimatum, me or the couch”. What you don’t know is that the couch can easily be revived, so you can have the couch and the girlfriend.

Couches are impervious to a wide variety of stains, such as muddy dog prints, smudges and the ever-damaging wine stain. In a perfect world, couches wouldn’t stain and pet hair wouldn’t stick but that’s not how the world works. Instead, leather couches are one of the most susceptible to stains, particularly white leather. So how do you combat this problem? Regular cleaning of course!

How often should you clean your couch?

Different couches require different cleaning schedules, as do couches used at home or in a business. So first things first, you need to find out what kind of leather upholstery you have. Start this step by checking the label or written materials that came with your couch. If this doesn’t work, look up the item on either the retailers or the manufacturer’s website.

Your leather couch can be one of three types: aniline leather, semi-aniline and pull-up leather. Unsure what I mean? Read on!

Aniline Leather

Aniline leather, also known as pure aniline, full aniline or unfinished leather has a soft, luxurious feel. Made from the best quality hides, aniline is full-grain leather that has been dyed without pigments or topcoats applied, thus unprotected from staining. Aniline leather has that butter-soft feeling that stays warm in winter but cool and dry in summer. Unfortunately, as the name suggests, cleaning this type of leather can be a gruelling process, with regular cleaning recommended. To keep aniline leather clean, experts recommend dusting weekly using a soft cloth or vacuuming with a soft brush.

Cleaning Aniline Leather

Due to its unprotected nature, this type of leather requires extensive cleaning, with 2 to 3 cleans recommended to see a difference. Start by dividing the leather up and focusing on one panel at a time. Avoid store-bought products and stick to plain old H20, not tap however, distilled water is recommended. The myth that leather doesn’t like water is only partly true, leather doesn’t mind it. What it doesn’t like, however, is the minerals in tap water. If you use tap water over distilled water, you’ll end up with white marks and dull-looking leather.

Semi-aniline Leather

The majority of leather furniture is made with protected or finished leather. Labelled semi-aniline, aniline plus pigment or just pigmented leather, this leather is less susceptible to staining as compared to its counterpart. Whilst semi-aniline leather doesn’t feel as luxurious as aniline leather, it’s protective pigment coating shortens both cleaning time and intervals. Similar to aniline leather, experts recommend dusting weekly with a soft cloth (microfibre preferred) or vacuuming with a soft brush.

Clean Semi-Aniline Leather Couch

Cleaning Semi-aniline Leather

Thankfully, semi-aniline leather is a lot easier to clean, with everyday marks grime and dirt easily removed with a damp cloth and a very mild soap solution. Avoid harsh chemicals or brushes, as these will ruin and scratch the leather, causing the colour to fade faster. If you’ve spilt something on your couch, use a damp cloth to immediately dab off any excess liquid. Do not rub or use excess water, as water staining can occur.

Pull-up Leather

Pull-up leather is similar to aniline except for the treatment using oil or wax. Made from high-quality hides, pull-up leather has a slightly waxy or oily feel and a truly unique pull-up look. Thanks to the oil or wax treatment, this type of leather packs added protection, cutting down on maintenance and cleaning. One downside, however, is pull-up leathers ability to quickly develop scuff marks with use. Similar to both aniline and semi-aniline leather, pull-up leather requires weekly cleaning. The method, however, is different for this type, with a feather duster preferred.

Clean Pull-up Leather Couch

Cleaning Pull-up Leather

Similar to the cleaning tips mentioned for both aniline and semi-aniline leather, pull-up leather should be carefully wiped with a damp cloth. Avoid pressing too hard or wiping with too damp of a cloth. Scuff marks and signs of wear can be polished with a soft, dry cloth, as the oil or wax moves and hides slight scratches. Stain removal should be left up to the professionals, as a delicate touch combined with knowledge is required to avoid damaging the leather.

How about couches used at home as opposed to those used in the workplace? This is where cleaning intervals greatly differ.

Home Couch

Leather couches used in your home require weekly dusting with a dry cloth, along with a weekly vacuum into those crumb catching crevices. Experts recommend giving the cushions a thorough vacuum, removing them and vacuuming underneath to prevent dust and crumbs from turning into ingrained grime.

Commercial Couch

For leather couches used in Hotels, Boardrooms, Lodges and more, the usage is heavily increased, which means a more thorough clean is required. A cleaning schedule should be undertaken by an expert every 6 to 12 months.

Leather Couch Stain Removal

Whether you run a fast-paced business or laze around on your recliner, there is one simple way to combat causing undue harm to your leather couch. Rather than advising against ever spilling anything (that’s an impossible task), if you do, there are two simple steps to take.

Step 1. Blot the substance as quickly and gently as possible with a clean, dry, white cloth. This will absorb the excess liquid, and stop the spill spreading. This won’t stop the couch from staining but will lessen the impact.

Step 2. Call a leather cleaning professional. South QLD Restoration offers upholstery cleaning for all types of leather. If you’ve stained your leather couch, contact South QLD Restorations today on 1300 762 021.

Leather Couch Stain Removal

Fabric Upholstery Cleaning: DIY or Professional?

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After all your movie marathons, your couch and other fabric upholstery quickly becomes the crumb collector.

You’ve noticed some food and drink stains on your furniture, and you know it needs a good clean.

So, how should you go about your fabric upholstery cleaning situation? DIY or get a professional?

There are many DIY fixes floating around and there are many ways to clean your fabric upholstery at home.

But does this give your furniture the deep clean it needs to get it back to that brand-new look?

Short answer: NO.

What Can Go Wrong with DIY Fabric Upholstery Cleaning?

Of course, we all love to save money. It’s hard not to get tempted by the DIY products available.

And sure, you can do it yourself but here is a look at some common mistakes made during DIY fabric upholstery cleaning.

Soaking Fabric in Water

Water is known as the universal cleaning solvent, which why it would make sense to clean your fabric upholstery with it, right?

But how much water is too much? Excessive water can result in colour bleeding.

Then there is the prolonged drying time. The longer your fabric upholstery stays wet, the higher the chance of mould growth. Mould is a very serious issue and will require immediate professional assistance.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Solutions

I’m sure many of you know the common DIY solutions: bi-carb soda, vinegar and bleach-based products.

These products are typically used for getting rid of those stubborn stains on your fabric upholstery.

But these products can actually cause more problems for you, such as discolouration.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Tools

Regular brush vacuuming with a store-bought product can actually causer more damage to your fabric upholstery.

Brushes with hard bristles can result in the fabric fibres getting ruined. Your upholstery fabrics need to be cared for with special attention to the fabric weave.

Why Professional Fabric Upholstering Cleaning?

Upholstery Fabric Cleaning

It’s clear there are plenty of fabric cleaning products and solutions out there, but improper upholstery cleaning can sometimes damage your furniture further.

Sometimes it’s best to just call a pro. Do you want to know why? Read below.

Safe and Healthy Environment

Vacuuming up your dirt crumbs or your furry friend’s hair from your fabric upholstery can keep the surface of your furniture looking clean.

But what about the dirt, dust and allergens that get caught deep into the fibres?

Deep cleaning with professional equipment can help remove the germs you wouldn’t be able to reach on your own.

This will create a healthier environment for you.

Prolongs the Life of Your Furniture

Do you want your fabric upholstery to last longer? That’s where the professionals come in.

Professional cleaners use the right tools and solutions that can give your furniture that fresh new look, while also extending its lifespan.

Removes Nasty Odours

It isn’t just visible stains that get trapped in your furniture, it’s visible odours too.

Odours are going to be very difficult to remove with supermarket cleaning products. How much air freshener can you really use to try and mask the musty smell coming from your fabric upholstery?

Professional fabric upholstery cleaning will remove the odours and leave your furniture not only looking great but also smelling great too. What more could you want?

Proper Drying

As mentioned previously, excess water can penetrate and damage the core of your furniture.

Professional cleaners are well aware of the amount of water to be used and the best ways to dry your fabric upholstery.

Why invest time into cleaning the upholstery yourself, when a professional can do the job for you without any hassles?

How Often Should You Get Your Fabric Upholstery Cleaned?

You should ask yourself: when was the last time you cleaned your fabric upholstery? Surprisingly, some homeowners don’t know the answer to this question.

If you belong to the group of homeowners who don’t know the answer to the above question, then it might be time to consider calling in a professional.  

Regular cleaning can help extend the life of your upholstered furniture. So, the main question now is:

How often should you get your fabric upholstery cleaned?

The answer to this question can alter depending on how often you use your furniture, or if it’s used by children and pets.

As a general answer, professional fabric upholstery cleaning should be done once or twice every year.

Leave it to the Professionals

Your fabric upholstered furniture can take a lot of wear and tear. Mucky hands and feet, food crumbs, pet hair and pollen can all turn your pristine furniture into something that isn’t very homely.

Even if you’re extra careful, accidents or muddy paw prints are just a part of life.

The best way to prevent stains on your fabric upholstery isn’t by banning food and pets from your living room altogether. Most of these issues can be easily fixed with a professional cleaning service.

While vacuuming and wiping down your fabric upholstery yourself may tackle some dirt or surface stains, keeping your furniture durable for many years requires professional attention.

Say Goodbye to Worn Out Fabric Upholstery

At South QLD Restoration, we offer high-quality upholstery cleaning services to our clients. With our professional upholstery cleaning services, we can reveal and preserve the beauty of your fabric.

If you want to extend the life of your fabric upholstery and rest easy in the comfort of your spotless, freshened fabrics, call 1300 762 021 for our help.

Not your ordinary blog reading!

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In our blogs you won’t just find information about carpet cleaning and water damage. We share a range of interesting industry insights including tips on how to prepare your home for sale, behind the scenes action of our amazing water damage restorations and impressive before and afters for tile cleaning, mould removal and more! If you have any questions about the blogs you see here, contact our helpful team.

About Using Upholstery Cleaning Companies

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Whether it’s the couch, the dining seating, dad’s favourite chair, or even the family car, the upholstery gets dirty. And no matter how often you clean it with a good old vacuuming and store bought sprays and foam, it is never totally cleaned.

If you are looking to achieve an obvious transformation of your upholstery and to extend the life of the fabric/material the only answer is to engage the services of a licenced professional upholstery cleaning service. Using a professional upholstery cleaning service on a regular basis will extend the life of your fabrics while keeping them looking like new at all times. Depending on the level of use but for regular use, it is recommended that you use professional upholstery cleaning services annually.

One such company is South Queensland Restoration which is right up there among the best professional upholstery cleaning companies servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast and sunshine Coast regions. Offering a great range of services to suit all fabric and leather items at great prices. With many years of experience in the industry you can be sure they have the right techniques to get the job done properly.

Use Our Termite & Pest Control Services

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We cover a comprehensive range of pest control services including termite inspections, termite barriers, rodent baiting, spider and cockroach eradication, flea treatments and more.  Our trusted pest control team understand the importance of ensuring your home is free from pests and healthy for you and your visitors alike.

We have a personalised approach which includes taking into account the specific requirements of your home including pets, room layout, carpet age and even what insecticides (fly sprays etc.) you use around your home.  We understand that pesticides are toxic, so all our pest control operators are trained to correctly handle, store and adequately apply these substances.  Once the necessary precautions are used to minimise the exposure to pesticides, the risk to our health is greatly minimised.

Feel free to ask any of our pest control team members for advice on controlling pests in between treatments – we are more than happy to recommend methods for deterring those pesky flies and ants. A pest free home is healthier for you and your family – you can trust us to safely keep you free of pests.

High Pressure Cleaning For Your House

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Your home is a very personal space that is an extension of you. This is a representation of who you are, to be seen by those around you. So how you clean the exterior is just as important as how you take care of the interior. In the end, you’ll want a home exterior that’s spotless and will get heads turning—that’s where house pressure cleaning in Brisbane comes in.

It’s easy to forget about looking after your home’s exterior when you spend so much of your time inside. However, this shouldn’t be an excuse as the outside of your home is actually the most vulnerable to different elements such as sun, rain, and temperature changes. All of these conditions can take a toll on your home and leave it looking lifeless or uncared for. And who wants a home that looks like that?

For situations like this, pressure washing can take care of the job and make it easy to improve the overall appearance of your household.

Here are some reasons why you should consider high pressure cleaning for your house:

House pressure cleaning brisbane

High pressure cleaning is easy and effective for your house

House pressure cleaning uses far less water than hose cleaning, and is effective in targeting areas that need attention. With a pressure cleaner, you can quickly remove dirt, dust, and built up grease that could be covering your home’s exterior.

Not only that, home pressure cleaners in Brisbane are also great for cleaning driveways, which often collects a lot of dirt from its surroundings.

By treating your home to a routine high pressure cleaning, you’ll be able to help give back its fresh appearance that’ll leave you feeling the same way as the first time you saw it.

It can also help with preparing a home for painting

Aside from its impeccable cleaning benefits, house pressure cleaning Brisbane is also great for preparing one’s home surface for painting. This is because a pressure cleaner can accurately clean a whole surface to ensure that the new paint you will put on will stick.

So before you start repainting your home, make sure that your walls and surfaces aren’t dirty as this can cause paint to easily crack and peel. Use a pressure cleaner to prepare the exterior of your home for painting. Giving special attention to dirt and dust that could hinder paint from setting perfectly, and proceed to give your home that fresh coat for a brand new look.

It is safe and chemical-free

With South QLD Restoration house pressure cleaning in Brisbane is now safe for the family and the surfaces of your home. However, do not attempt to do it yourself if you have not done proper research or have not had prior experience with such an equipment. If done incorrectly, the extremely high pressure water can cause serious harm to people or objects around it.

For example, if you are going to use a pressure cleaner at home, make sure to clear your surroundings. Avoid accidents and do not point it at people or fragile items.

Overall, the best way to go about it is to hire a professional to do the job for you instead. Professionals are experienced and will save you money, time, and effort.

home pressure cleaners Brisbane

WORK WITH EXPERTS FOR PROFESSIONAL HOUSE PRESSURE CLEANING BRISBANE

Is it time to give your home a wash? Work with South QLD Restoration to get commercial grade pressure washers, with truck mount units available for larger jobs.

We’ll remove dirt and grime far quicker than a domestic pressure washer. We’ll keep your driveway in tiptop shape with our multi-nozzle attachment, and we’ll leave the rest of your home fresh and sparkling clean.

Keep Pests Away From Your Home

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They bite, they fly, and they invade. Yes, unwanted guests in your household, such as termites (white ants), cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other pests. Not forgetting those persistent bed bugs. Any of these species should not be present in your home or place of work since they can cause serious health issues and have an unhygienic effect on nearby areas.

But, how exactly can you prevent them from invading or spreading in your dwelling? Here are some simple and useful tips to keep your house pest-free:

Do Not Invite Them

As much as you hate to see those flying and crawling species, you still have that tendency to invite them in some dirty ways. When you fail to store leftover food in your dining table or you simply left the dishes in the sink overnight, then expect to see them around in the morning. Do not cook with windows and doors open unless you have a flyscreen to stop flying insects. It is a must to keep your household premises clean at all times.

Set a Monthly Inspection

Whilst you can always call a pest control professional knowing you can rely on them to get rid of those unwanted guests, you can always perform a basic routine inspection yourself by checking under appliances and keeping rat bait in your ceiling cavities. And maybe every 6 months call in somebody like South QLD Restoration to carry out a thorough assessment on the degree of any infestation present in your property. And if necessary, we can always eliminate them.

Check for Repairs

If you happen to see a leaking tap or a pipe, make sure to have them repaired immediately. It is a must to keep your property moist-free because cockroaches tend to dwell in damped areas. On the other hand, make sure to get rid of stagnant water that is commonly present in flower vases and clogged gutters. This is to keep mosquitoes from breeding in them. If you must keep a vase filled in, make sure to change it daily.

Termites are an expensive pest to have around. Check around your home for any areas they can populate such as rotting wood, old tree stumps, etc. Also check your weep holes in brick homes are not covered because if they are, termites will enter. Uncovered they are exposed to light and termites do not go near the light.

Aside from these tips, it is recommended to keep furnishings clean and tidy too. This is especially needed for carpets since they can be breeding grounds for bugs and bacteria. So, to ensure that your carpeting is clutter and bacteria-free, get in touch with the experts for cleaning services! Call South QLD Restoration

What Water Damage Will Do To Your Home

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This is an image of what the inside of a wall looks like if not dried after a flooding

 

Water damage is a common issue for many. About 40% of homeowners have experienced some level of loss as a result of water damage. It can quickly spread contamination, cause serious damage to carpets and walls, ruin your sub-floors and in a 2 level property, cause extensive damage to ceilings. No matter how the water got into your home the damaged is almost always the same. It only differs depending on the extent of the flooding.

Once water is on your floors your carpets and rugs will soak it up first. Then the water will seep under the carpet to your underfelt and then the sub-floors. Once at that stage, it will seep under your wall skirtings and collect inside your walls. This fact is often overlooked which results in damaged timber framing and your drywall will also suck the water up the boards and weaken them.

In addition to the obvious, water has no barriers and it will keep moving into nooks and crannies that you didn’t even know you had. Once water sits for a while the timber will soak it up and if not found and dried, mould spores will appear and grow rapidly. Mould likes dark, warm, moist areas and there will be many of them after you have suffered water damage in your home.

It is nothing but a myth that mopping up with towels and leaving your ceiling fans on will remove the results of a flooding, even a small one. If only for a professional opinion, you really need to get a water damage services company in like South QLD Restoration to assess the damage and give you a report. We have all sorts of electronic and digital testers that will show us mould and/or moisture inside walls together with air quality.

Did you know over time mopping can dull your tiles? Our Brisbane tile cleaning services can help!

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Depending on the type of mop and products you use when mopping your tiles, you could actually be making them dirtier, rather than giving them a clean. Some store-bought floor cleaning products leave behind films, rather than getting rid of dirt and grime, which means over time your tiles end up looking dull and dirty, especially your grout! Have you noticed your tiles and grout looking dull and grey? Our Brisbane tile cleaning services will have your tiles looking like new!

See our amazing tile cleaning results below!

The tiles in the picture above are from a Brisbane home we recently worked in. You can see that the tiles on the right, have a dull and dirty appearance, where the tiles on the left look bright and clean.

How to we get your tiles looking so clean?

Our machines are commercial grade tile cleaners, not just your run of the mill tile cleaning machines. They are designed with superior technology to tackle even the toughest grime. We also use commercial grade tile cleaning products, that pack a punch against dirty tiles but are safe for your pets and family.

Is your grout in need of some TLC too?

We have a range of tile restoration services from grout cleaning to tile repairs, to help you maintain beautiful tiled floors throughout your home or office.

Contact South QLD Restoration to learn more about our Brisbane tile cleaning services

If your tiles are in need of a professional clean, contact South QLD Restoration. While you’re on the phone with us, ask us about our Brisbane carpet cleaning and  carpet repair services as well! With our help all of the floors in your home or office will look like new!

DIY Carpet Cleaning Machines Vs South QLD Restoration Carpet Cleaning Machines

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Cleaning your carpets has many benefits. Not only do your carpets look, smell and feel better after they’ve been cleaned, they are also safer for your family and pets because cleaning your carpet will also remove any bacteria or allergens.  The other main benefit to cleaning your carpets regularly (roughly once a year) is you’re also ensuring the longevity of your carpet, which can save you thousands in the long run. The big question is though, do you clean it yourself or do you hire someone to do it?

DIY Machines

For the DIY enthusiast cleaning your carpets with a DIY carpet cleaning machine may seem like the best way forward, but the advertising surrounding DIY machines are aimed at you, to make you think you can achieve the same results you can with a professional commercial grade carpet cleaner. Your carpets will definitely be cleaner, but a DIY clean will never be as thorough as a professional carpet clean.

Our carpet cleaning machines

The carpet cleaning machines we use for our Brisbane carpet cleaning services are commercial grade. This means they have been designed specifically for commercial use, so they are more reliable and more technologically advanced. When you couple our commercial grade carpet cleaning machines with our commercial grade carpet cleaning products, expertise and experience you simply get a job well done, every time. Unlike DIY carpet cleaning machines, there will be no bacteria, dirt or allergens left behind.

Does your Brisbane home or office need a professional carpet cleaning service?

South QLD Restoration provide professional carpet cleaning services in Brisbane to both commercial and residential properties. When you see the difference our commercial grade carpet cleaning machines can make to your carpets, you’ll be glad you went with us, rather than deciding to clean your carpets yourself! Contact us today for a free quote!