Doing the laundry is a regular part of your routine, but what about your furniture?

Any fabric, not unlike clothes, will absorb oils from your skin. Furniture also picks up hair and oils left behind by pets.

How often you clean your furniture depends on whether it’s in a high-traffic area, such as a family room, or if it’s rarely used.

If it’s a chair you sit in every day, you’re going to want to clean it at least once a year. Most people don’t think about it that way.

Furniture upholstery is more delicate than carpet, and colors can fade easily if you don’t use the right upholstery cleaner. In most cases, it’s best to leave regular cleaning to the professionals.

Depending on the type of fabric, most professional upholstery cleaners will either steam-clean furniture upholstery or use a dry-cleaning solvent.

The cost of cleaning depends on the size of the furniture, the kind of fabric and the condition of the furniture.

Typically, the cost to clean an armchair or recliner ranges from $30 to $50, while most customers will pay $50 to $60 for a love seat. The cost of having a couch cleaned can range from $70 to $80, and a larger sectional sofa can cost between $100 and $150.

Cleaning oversized or overstuffed furniture can cost a bit extra.

Does pre-treating your furniture pay off?

Is it worth it to get your furniture pre-treated to prevent stains?

We say it can be!

When you’re buying new furniture, you can pay extra — $60 to $150 at most retailers, depending on the size of the sofa, to get your furniture pre-treated with a fabric protector. If you go the DIY route, you can expect to pay between $6 and $13 per can for a stain protector, such as Scotchguard, at most major stores.  

In the end, the extra money can be well worth it.

It creates a non-stick coating, which repels both dry soiling like dirt and dust, as well as liquid spills and stains. It really does work if you get the right chemical.