How Dirty Do Sofas Get?
Your couch can easily become the dirtiest item in your home. This is due to its contact with a variety of pollutants from different sources, such as dust from outdoor sources, skin cells from people and pets, and even food particles and bacteria from meals. Pretty gross to think that dust mite droppings and body oils are commonly extracted from furniture. The best way to tell if your sofa needs cleaning is by using your eyes and nose. A foul odour, elevated allergies such as sneezing and itchy eyes, or stubborn stains are usually signs of a dirty couch. Pet hair abundance is also common in homes with furry companions. Therefore, if you’re noticing any of these warning signs, it’s probably a good time to take appropriate action.
How do you spot-clean a couch?
Spot cleaning is one method of cleaning upholstery that requires the removal of stains on the surface of the fabric. First, vacuum your couch so you can remove any loose dirt, debris, and pet hair. Then, prepare the cleaning solution using water and a mild detergent. Use a soft cloth to test the solution on a discreet part of the surface fabric before proceeding. Once it passes the test, dampen the cloth with the mixture and gently rub the stained areas with the cloth. When done, make sure you let the affected area dry completely before sitting on the couch. Sitting or lying yourself or other objects on top of the couch during this time will lengthen the drying process, and could risk soiling the couch covers once more with spillages or crumbs. Spot cleaning is a task you can DIY. There are much more intensive, deep cleaning processes you can hire professionals to undertake for a more thoroughly cleaned couch.
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If your couch becomes too dirty or you don’t have the time to clean it yourself, you might consider hiring a professional upholstery cleaner. However, this could be a costly venture and not worth the investment if you only have minimal staining or some odour. Furthermore, dirty sofas can also provide a breeding ground for microbes and other contaminants, including E.Coli, Salmonella, and various allergens. This could be unhealthy and potentially trigger an allergic reaction in your family.
Professional Couch Cleaning: Pros and Cons
Having your couch professionally cleaned has some advantages and merits considering. For instance, professional cleaners can remove deeper set-in stains that regular cleaning methods cannot handle. Additionally, they will have the right equipment on hand to use the right cleaning solutions and techniques for upholstery fabrics. On the other hand, professional couch cleaning can be pricey and most services only offer a cleaning warranty for specific fabrics. Furthermore, the cleaning process might release unpleasant odours into the air for a day or two. Ultimately, whether you decide to clean your sofa yourself or hire a professional, the key is to regularly maintain the cleanliness of your couch.
Whilst there are a few notable cons, having a professional couch or upholstery clean on a bi-monthly or annual basis, might it more worthwhile. It will be much cheaper to afford and will ensure that year-in year-out, your furniture is clean and free of dirt. However, you'll need some form of upkeep in between, for example, you may need to invest in a few tools for yourself. Maintenance can be anything from small hoovers that you can use on the sofas, to products for spot treatments, and you may wish to take the covers off a wash them with a gentle furniture fabric cleaner.
Bedbugs In Your Sofa
With a really dirty couch, you might also want to search for the possibility of bed bugs or their eggs, using the following:
Flashlight
Rubber gloves
An old credit card or a thin piece of sturdy plastic
Double-sided tape
Magnifying glass.
Bedbugs are pests that crawl on, around, and inside soft furnishings like mattresses and sofas. They like room temperatures where they can lay their eggs and feed off of humans. It can be difficult to treat furnishings with such infestations, as they need to be taken apart and steamed or frozen. Contact professional cleaners or pest control experts, they will have all the information needed to help you rid the issue.
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