How long does it take to clean a 3-seater sofa?

A typical 3-seater sofa in moderate condition takes 25-35 minutes to clean including setup. This covers pre-spraying, extraction cleaning and a quick inspection. Heavily soiled sofas with pet hair or stains can take 40-50 minutes. Leather sofas are faster at 15-20 minutes.

How much solution does upholstery cleaning use?

A standard 3-seater sofa needs approximately 400-600 ml of diluted cleaning solution for extraction cleaning. Fabric type matters: cotton and linen absorb more solution than synthetic fabrics. Use less solution than you would for carpet to avoid over-wetting, which can damage cushion fillings.

Can all fabrics be wet cleaned?

No. Always check the care label first. W means wet cleaning is safe. S means solvent clean only. WS means either method works. X means vacuum only. Silk, some velvets, and fabrics with water-sensitive dyes may need specialist dry cleaning methods.

How long does upholstery take to dry after cleaning?

Most upholstery dries within 4-8 hours after professional cleaning. Synthetic fabrics dry faster (3-5 hours). Cotton and linen take longer (6-10 hours). Good ventilation, heating, and air movers can speed up drying significantly. Cushion interiors may take longer to dry fully.

CleanCalcs

Upholstery Cleaning Calculator

Estimate time and solution for cleaning sofas, chairs and other upholstered furniture.

Furniture Type

Quantity

Number of items

Fabric Type

Soil Level

Include pre-spray

Pre-spray treatment at 40 ml/m²

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates cleaning time and solution volume based on furniture type, fabric, soil level and quantity.

Surface area estimates

2-seater sofa: 4.5 m²
3-seater sofa: 6.5 m²
Corner sofa: 9.0 m²
Armchair: 3.0 m²
Dining chair: 1.0 m²

Formula

Time = (total area x rate per m² x soil multiplier) + 10 min setup

Solution = total area x ml per m² x soil multiplier

Pre-spray is calculated at 40 ml/m² when enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Carpet Cleaning Solution Calculator

Calculate the volume of cleaning solution needed for carpet extraction cleaning.

Steam Clean Time Calculator

Estimate time to steam clean carpets or upholstery based on area and soil level.

Extraction Rate Calculator

Calculate water extraction rate and passes needed for effective carpet cleaning.

Carpet Stain Treatment Calculator

Work out pre-treatment dwell time and product volume for carpet stains.

Rug Cleaning Calculator

Calculate cleaning time and solution volume for rugs by size and fibre type.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities and timings for your specific situation.