You might think your home is spotless and germ-free. However, while your floors may gleam and appear dust-free, you might overlook the fact that germs often accumulate around your home, especially on your sofa.
That same cozy spot where your family lounges and unwinds during the day, can become a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria!
But you don’t need to worry anymore. We have curated the best guide on how to thoroughly clean your sofa and effectively eliminate germs, dust, and mold.
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Sofa Clean?
Keeping your sofa clean is essential for several reasons. The ultimate one is because the dust at your home can easily travel through the air and settle on various surfaces, particularly on your sofa. When you pat the couch, you might notice a cloud of dust rising.
This dust can irritate your nose, making you sneeze, and constantly coughing. They won’t only disrupt the cleanliness of your home but can also affect your health and comfort. Beyond dust, a dirty sofa also harbors countless germs that are invisible to the naked eye.
Additionally, sofas can easily become moldy due to their infrequent exposure to sunlight, leading to the fabric getting damp. This damp environment is perfect for mold growth, resulting in unsightly black, yellow, or grayish-green spots and a musty, unpleasant odor.
If left uncleaned, the sofa can deteriorate, and your health may suffer, triggering allergies or asthma flare-ups. Thus, regular cleaning of your sofa is essential to maintain its condition and protect your health.
How to Clean the Sofa to Be Free from Dirt and Dust?
As previously mentioned, dust, germs, and mold can damage and also threaten your and your family’s health. So that this does not happen, you need to keep the sofa clean. Here are some ways to clean the sofa that you can apply at home.
1. Clean the Sofa with a Vacuum Cleaner
You may clean the dust on the sofa using a duster. However, this action is not effective in cleaning germs or fungi. To ensure that the dust and dirt that perched on the sofa is thoroughly eradicated, you need to use a vacuum cleaner.
To make life easier, you can use a handheld vacuum cleaner so that it can reach between the sofas. Make sure not only the surface of the sofa material that you clean, but also the seat, the inside, and the narrow cracks around it.
2. Cleaning the Sofa with Detergent
If you notice that there are stains on the sofa, such as from oil or food leftover – then this method is highly effective in cleaning it up. Here are some things that you need to pay attention to wash the sofa so that it is completely clean.
- Move the sofa out of the house, you can place them in the yard, so you have bigger space.
- Cover the base of the sofa with newspaper to prevent the dust and debris from dirtying the house or other furniture.
- Next, you should prepare your cleaning supplies, such as brushes, sponges, containers, and detergent, and remember to wear gloves.
- To clean mold off the sofa for the first time, brush the affected area until it appears clean.
- Mix 1 liter of warm water with half a spoon of detergent in a container, stir until well combined, and then soak a sponge in the mixture.
- Apply the sponge to the stained areas of the sofa, then rinse the sponge with water and scrub the sofa again until it is clean.
- Afterward, you need to allow the sofa to dry in the sun.
Do keep in mind that this method is only suitable for fabric sofas. For leather sofas, do not use ordinary detergent. Instead, use a special leather cleaner and wipe the stained area in a circular motion. Avoid drying leather sofas in direct sunlight, as it can damage the leather.
3. Eradicate Stubborn Stains with Vinegar
You may have heard of the benefits of vinegar as a home cleaner. It has tons of benefits, and you can also use it to clean your sofa. Vinegar as a home cleaner contains acetic acid which is effective in lifting dirt on the surface of objects. Thus it can be a great way to help eradicate stubborn stains from your sofa. Here’s how to use vinegar to clean stains on the sofa!
- Prepare a solution of white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio, and make sure to wear gloves.
- Pour the vinegar and water mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the solution onto the stained areas of the sofa and gently scrub with a brush or rag.
- Allow the sofa to air dry.
Do keep in mind that while vinegar helps remove stains and dirt, it is less effective at killing germs. For maximum benefit, you can consider using a specialized cleaning fluid with disinfectant properties.
4. Change the Pillowcases on the Sofa Regularly
If you have pillows on the sofa, remember to replace the pillowcases regularly. Like the sofa, sofa pillows often come into direct contact with the skin. Thus, keeping the sofa pillows clean is equally important.
Do keep in mind that cleaning shouldn’t be limited to just when you feel like your home is dusty; it should be done consistently. But if you’re too tired to clean your sofa, you need not feel worried as you can consider hiring sofa cleaning services in Singapore to help you out. They have the knowledge, tools, and expertise to keep your sofa spotlessly clean without you needing to spend extra energy.
