Sofa Care Tips And Hacks
The longevity of your furniture depends on how well you take care of it. Just like any other item or surface in the household, it comes under attack on a daily basis. For sofa sets, especially that large favourite unit that everyone in the house uses at one point or another, there will be increased rates of deterioration, that will ruin the look and feel of the set. Over time, it begins looking old and worn-out, an aspect that negatively impacts the rest of the indoor space. Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which you can keep your sofa looking new, to protect it and have an interior space that you can be proud of.
Taking Care Of The Cushions
Firstly, you want your cushions to retain their shape for as long as possible, right? They receive the brunt of the usage, since they are soft furnishings that get pressed each time anyone sits on them. Gradually, they lose their shape, which also affects the comfort that they provide. The fabric stretches, and the wear increases. However, there are easy steps you can take to ward off these effects.
For starters, each time the vacuuming is done, the cushions should be fluffed up and flipped. You can also rotate them, and even change their positioning if needed. This simple action will prevent some cushions from being overused, and keep both the upholstery and stuffing from getting uneven wear. Doing this regularly will reduce the rate at which the cushions wear out, and it will be more uniform, keeping the sofa in good condition for longer.
The value of vacuuming
Given that everyone recommends it, it must be with good reason, right? Upholstery accumulates loads of dirt and grime over time, and the loose debris is abrasive. When these particles are grinded against the upholstery material, they wear it down. The frequent usage that the sofa witnesses means that happens at a much faster rate. Vacuuming comes in to remove these particles, and the more thorough the process is, the greater the positive impact on your set. Working with a powerful vacuum, and taking your time to ensure that each part of the sofa is covered, especially the crevices of the unit, will reduce the rate at which the grime accumulates, thus prolong the life of your set.
It’s not just the structural integrity of the sofa that is on the line. Many of the particles that are in the sofa are actually allergens, triggering reactions once inhaled. From the dust, pollen and mould spores, to faecal residue from dust mites and body parts from insects that came to feed on food crumbs – you don’t want your family members getting exposed to these. Vacuuming keeps the concentration of these substances low, further protecting the household members.
Dealing with the spills and stains
Regardless of how careful one is, there will inevitably be spills that wind up on the sofa. These risks are higher for households with kids. From that mug of coffee that gets knocked over, the wine glass that tips over as you get carried away during date night with your significant other, to milk spills and ink blots – these will form unsightly spots on the furniture. Not only are they a cosmetic problem, but they can also damage the upholstery material, especially if they are left unattended for long. The extent of this damage will depend on the chemical formulation makeup of the spill that has wound up on the spot, and the type of upholstery material. The longer that the stain remains on the area, the more difficult it will be to remove.
When there is a spill, it should be dealt with immediately. This act alone will enable you to avoid a lot of frustrating situations. In fact, you should only postpone the spot cleaning when you’re unsure of what kind of stain you’re dealing with, or when you don’t have the right sofa cleaning product to remove it – in which case you should look into these aspects in order to rectify the situation as soon as you can. Start by blotting up the liquids from the spot. Use an absorbent cloth, and be careful not to rub in the stain, since this will only lead to the liquid getting soaked deeper into the fabric. Next, use the stain removing product to work on the spot. Note that this should be one that is particularly suited to the particular type of sofa, given that the different kinds of upholstery materials have their unique cleaning requirements.
To determine the right sofa cleaning product, check the label that comes with the furniture, for any cleaning instructions, or to identify precisely which kind of upholstery fabric or blend that’s involved, in order for you to look up the cleaning products that will be suitable for it. You can also get in touch with the manufacturer, or look up the descriptions from their site. Once you get the commercial cleaner, test out the product on an inconspicuous part of the sofa. This is to enable you to determine if there are any unwanted effects of using the product before you go ahead and apply it on the affected area. These hidden spots are the likes of the corner that’s near the armrest, the area behind the cushions, or at the back of the furniture. If you are unsure about the kind of solutions to use, you can always call up a professional sofa cleaning service. Let’s delve into that next.
Professional Deep Sofa Cleaning
Given that there are different methods for working on the sofas, based on the particular type of upholstery material, the kinds of stains being dealt with, all through to the level of soiling involved, it is recommended that you hire a professional to provide the deep sofa cleaning. This ensures that the unit receives a thorough wash, without leaving behind residue. As a welcome bonus, the sofa gets to dry faster – even within the same afternoon it has been cleaned, which will minimise disruption in your home.
