Upholstery takes a beating that's easy to ignore because it doesn't show the way a stained carpet does. A dulled fabric colour, especially on arms and cushions where hands and bodies make constant contact, is usually the first visible sign that oils and grime have built up under the surface.
A musty or stale smell that lingers even after opening windows is another giveaway, fabric holds onto odours from spills, pets and general use far longer than hard surfaces do. Visible stains that haven't budged with spot cleaning, flattened or matted cushion fabric, and anyone in the household developing unexplained allergy symptoms at home are the other four signs worth acting on.
Upholstery doesn't need cleaning as often as carpet in most cases, but when two or more of these signs show up together, it's a solid indicator that a professional steam clean will do more than a wipe-down ever could.
