WHEN it comes to cleaning our homes, we all make sure to remember the big things like the floors, worktops and bathrooms.
This is because areas like these get a lot more wear and tear than others and often see more traffic than other parts of the house.
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But there is one spot that is a hive for germs and bacteria – and it often gets overlooked and forgotten about.
Experts have warned that we could be neglecting to clean the couch, and it could be making our homes dusty and dirty.
Our sofas are exposed to a range of dirt, dust, and bacteria, which can not only impact the sofa’s quality appearance but also put households’ health at risk.
And Joana Sadovskaja, Sofa Expert at Lovesofas, has said cleaning it is a crucial task that should be added to our chore list.
She explained: “Sofas are one of the most used furniture and are exposed to dirt from everyday life.
“Pets, children, and people are culprits for depositing dirt, debris, and stains on sofas, which can even make their way into the settee’s crevices.
“These can sometimes be stubborn to remove, so while you may have brushed the surface, there could still be traces left on your sofa.
“Dust can also collect over time, with dust mites among the microorganisms that could be nestling in your sofa.
“Neglecting your sofa’s hygiene can impact the furniture’s quality and expose your home to harmful germs.
“A dirty sofa could harbour bacteria such as E.coli, Staph, and MRSA, putting your household at risk of contracting infections.
“These bacteria are caused by dirt, sweat, and other contaminants.
“Dust collected on the sofa over time can also impact health, triggering those with allergies.
“Not cleaning your sofa often can also impact its quality and appearance so it’s crucial to clean it.
“Dirt and dust build-up can cause discolouration or even a yellowish hue to develop, hindering the sofa and the entire room’s quality feel.”
Joanna also revealed how often you should clean your sofa to keep it in top condition – and it’s more often than you think.
She said: “There are several factors that determine how often you should clean your sofa.
“This can depend on the settee’s material, for example, a textile sofa may be more prone to stains and require more regular cleaning than leather, which is more durable and easier to clean.
“A busy, high-traffic household with youngsters and pets will require the sofa to be cleaned more often than smaller, less polluted households.
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“Conducting a weekly sofa vacuum and wiping the surface at least once a month prevents dirt build-up and reduces the chances of bacteria growing.
“A good rule of thumb is to give the sofa a quick clean once a month and conduct a deep clean every six to twelve months for maximum safety and a high-quality sofa.”
10 overlooked places in your home you’re forgetting to hoover
MANY people may be unaware of spots they are not reaching with their vacuum – and it could lead to a gross build-up of dirt.
Joshua Warren, vacuum cleaner expert at AO.com, insists there 10 places that cleaning fans may be forgetting about. These are:
- Tumble dryer – take time to clean the lint filter and use the crevice tool from your vacuum to get into all the nooks and crannies and give your tumble dryer a spotless clean.
- Curtains – use your vacuum’s brush attachment to suck up dust to keep them looking cleaner for longer.
- Fixed upholstery – it is important to regularly remove dirt and dust from the surface so that it does not become ingrained in the fabric.
- Ceilings – the long attachment will make easy work of reaching the hard to get to places in your home.
- Light fittings and lampshades – they will also benefit massively from the soft brush attachment on your vacuum, especially if you are worried about using cleaning products on delicate fabrics or finishes.
- Mattress – the upholstery attachment is a great way to keep your mattress fresh
- Electrical items – the soft brush attachment of your vacuum is also fantastic for getting the dirt from all those electricals that you don’t want water or cleaning products anywhere near.
- Blinds – again use your brush attachment to make light work of dust and keep them shiny and clean for longer.
- Drawers and wardrobes – if you have recently had a clear out of your drawers or wardrobe, then no doubt they were dusty and full of detritus. Get the vacuum in there.
- Skirting boards – the dust and dirt will be lifted from the wood and sucked straight into the vacuum cleaner, meaning it is an ultra-efficient way to dust.
