Now think about what you clean the most often. Your couch probably isn’t on that list, is it? Why is it that we use our couches every day, but we rarely remember to clean them (and we mean really clean them, not just pick up clutter from them)?
If it’s been a while since you deep cleaned your couch, but you use it all the time, we hate to tell you but these 5 things are probably lurking in your upholstery.
Dust Mites And Allergens
Dust mites are tiny insect-like pests that love to nest in the soft fibers of upholstery. Not only is it gross to think about tiny critters living in your furniture, but mites shed their skin and leave feces behind that can be inhaled. This can trigger allergies, asthma, and blocked airways.
Dust mites aren’t the only allergen that hides in your upholstery. Pollen can get carried in from outside. If you have animals, their dander and fur will collect on your couch as well. All of this can spell trouble for those with allergies!
Regular vacuuming won’t get rid of these pesky mites and allergens. To keep them at bay, your upholstery should be professionally cleaned at least every 6 months, or every 3 to 4 months if you have allergies in the family.
Short Stop Chem-Dry is your teammate when it comes to a healthy home that’s allergy-free.
Mold
If you live in a humid, warm climate, there’s a significant chance for mold to grow in the soft fibers of your furniture. Mold is especially an issue for furniture that is stored in basements, as they tend to be more dark and humid than the rest of your home. Mold can also occur after a flood or other water event in your home.
Mold seeps into upholstery like a sponge, creating an unclean environment and an increased risk for asthma and other respiratory issues.
Using a dehumidifier and storing furniture in dry areas can help prevent mold, but it’s hard to remove mold that has already grown in your furniture. A professional furniture cleaner is your best bet for getting healthy furniture again.
Grease And Oils
Our skin naturally produces oil, and as we sit on and touch furniture and other upholstery that body oil absorbs into the fibers. You might notice more oil concentrated on the head and armrests, as this is where our skin tends to have the most direct contact with your furniture. Built-up oil creates “magnets” for dirt to stick to and increases the appearance of stains.
If you’ve ever eaten popcorn or otherwise snacked on your couch, chances are you’ve left food grease on the couch as well. This can stain your furniture in addition to attracting more contaminants.
Since we sit on our couches every day, it’s inevitable that oil will end up there. Routine upholstery cleaning can help keep these greasy, germ zones under control and even extend the life of your furniture fibers.
Other Toxic Chemicals And Particles
Whatever is floating around in the air of your home will eventually make its way onto your upholstery. This could be anything from home cleaning chemicals to paint particles to dust. If you leave your windows open, who knows what could blow in from outside.
A green-certified, non-toxic upholstery cleaning service will remove these chemicals that can irritate skin and lungs—while protecting your children and pets from further exposure to harsh contaminants.
Enjoy A Drier, Cleaner, Healthier Home
We don’t share all of this with you to gross you out or make your skin crawl. Instead, we want to empower you to clean your furniture and provide a cleaner healthier home for you and your family to enjoy. If you need a good furniture cleaner in the Detroit area after reading this post, Short Stop Chem-Dry is here for you!