Disgusting Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Upholstered Furniture

Halloween is almost upon us so there are a lot of scary things around at the moment, but did you know that the most frightening thing of all might already be in your home? While many of us spend quite a bit of time cleaning our homes and making sure they are spotless, there are some things that might not get cleaned from one week to the next. We regularly wipe down kitchen worktops, dining tables, and coffee tables, but unfortunately, our upholstered furniture is something that we tend to ignore. A lot of us won’t clean the fabric on our sofas, armchairs, footstools, or bed frames unless it becomes visibly stained or starts to emit a strange odour. Even without physical signs, soft furnishings such as couches and mattresses require the most maintenance because of the following five reasons……

Warning: The following images and information may cause distress which could lead to “sick tummy” and loss of sleep. If you have a weak stomach, we suggest you stop reading now, if you are feeling a little braver, keep reading….

1. Your Upholstery Is A Nest For Dust Mites

Carpets and rugs aren’t the only places allergens can hide. Dust and dust mites can also be found in your soft furnishings, such as sofas, couches, cushions, beanbags, curtains and beds. Unfortunately, for those who are allergy-prone or suffer from asthma, dust mites, are one of the most common triggers for allergies and asthma attacks. The dead mites shed their skin and leave behind faeces which if inhaled, can lead to blocked airways, allergic reactions, and aggravated asthma. To help reduce your allergens, it’s a good idea to contact a professional cleaner to undertake a thorough cleaning of your upholstery at least twice a year.

2. Bacteria & Viruses Can Transfer To Your Upholstery

Just like you, bacteria and viruses love to relax on a comfortable couch and drift off to sleep in an upholstered bed frame. Germs can easily travel to your upholstered furniture by clinging to your pet’s fur and attaching themselves to you and your family members. It’s better to get your upholstery sanitized by professionals who have experience in the removal of viruses and bacteria to make your upholstery safer for everyone, especially young children.

3. Your Fabric Is The Perfect Place For Mould To Grow

Mould is a reality for most homes, especially those in humid and damp climates. Bathrooms are usually the most susceptible to the presence of mould, but it can also be found in soft furnishings and upholstery. Because these furnishings are made of absorbent fabrics, they can collect excess moisture and provide the perfect condition for mould to grow. Old food scraps and crumbs can also lead to mould in upholstered fabrics and foam fillings. Inhaling fungal spores can damage your health and lead to asthma and other respiratory issues, which is why it is so important to have your upholstery furniture professionally cleaned regularly.

4. Grease & Oil Can Harbour Excess Dirt & Germs

Grease is not dangerous by itself, but it can create a haven for dirt and germs to collect. As we lounge on our upholstered surfaces the oils and grease from our hair and skin are transferred to the upholstery. The oil and grease actually become like a magnet for dirt and grime to stick to which can worsen the look of the stains. Bacteria and viruses also love to attach themselves to these greasy oily spots. Maintaining your upholstery by getting it cleaned regularly will keep the build-up from permanently damaging your upholstered items and can protect your health overall.

5. Toxic Chemicals Can Irritate Sensitive Individuals

Chemicals such as aerosols, home cleaners, plastics, and even paints can settle and leave their residue in the fabric of your soft furnishings. Home cleaners in particular, are often full of chemicals that can irritate sensitive individuals. As the air moves in your home, the particles from these sprays will settle on your upholstery which can be harmful to your respiratory systems, skin, and general wellbeing.

What Can You Do To Prevent Cleaning Your Upholstery As Often?

Enlisting the help of a professional to clean your upholstery can be costly, especially if you need to hire someone on a regular basis. Unfortunately, you can’t ever fully avoid cleaning your sofa, but there are a few things you can do to prevent it altogether or push out how often you do it. 

1. You could add on the Guardsman Service Plan when purchasing your upholstery furniture. For as little as €50 you are covered for stains, cosmetic damage, and much more for five years.

2. Furniture covers are elasticated and are designed to stretch around standard-sized furniture. If you have a unique size or shape, the best alternative is a cover or throw. To clean them, all you need to do is pop yours in the washing machine weekly.

So, it’s clear to see that in order to maintain a healthy home, you must enlist the help of an expert to professionally clean your upholstered items at least once or twice a year. If you have animals or children, this task will need to be carried out more often (we suggest every 3-4 months).

Are you sufficiently creeped out just in time for Halloween? If not, you can learn about even more disgusting facts in our mattress blog below.

Read: Halloween Special: 5 Disgusting Facts About Your Mattress.

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