Aromatherapy and Sofa Cleaning: Natural Scents for a Fresh Feel
Unlike other DIY jobs around the house, working on upholstered furniture takes time, and can be frustrating. However, with some natural scents – oils that you can use to soothe and relax you – things don’t have to be this way. Let’s see how you can use them to your advantage.
Making Cleaning Work For YOU
Aromatherapy, a practice rooted in the use of essential oils, has a tangible impact on mental well-being and mood enhancement. It works by stimulating the olfactory system, where the scent of essential oils interacts with the brain, particularly the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, memory, and arousal. This interaction immediately affects your mood.
Essential oils commonly used for this include lavender, known for its relaxing properties, and lemon, celebrated for its uplifting effects. For instance, you can add some lavender to a sofa cleaning solution, giving the fabric a fresh scent, while also infusing the room with a calming aura, making other household members feel relaxed. Taking this approach with your cleaning makes ordinary chores to become pleasant and therapeutic activities.
Choosing the Right Scents for Your Sofa
Not everyone is for lavender though. This boils down personal preferences. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to pick from.
- Citrus Oils: These are from the likes of lemon, grapefruit, and orange, celebrated for their invigorating and cleansing properties. Lemon oil has the added plus of antibacterial properties, is particularly effective in purifying surfaces and eliminating stale smells
- Herbal and Floral Aromas: Lavender remains a popular choice due to its relaxing effects and antibacterial properties, making it a versatile addition not only for lounging areas but also for cleaning household items. Rosemary offers a sharp, refreshing scent too. When combined with other herbs like thyme, its antibacterial potency is even further boosted.
There are no fixed rules when it comes to creating a personalized aroma. Feel free to experiment with different combinations and see what works for you. Perhaps it’s some lavender and rosemary, or you want to go the citrus and mint route. It’s up to your own preferences. And the mixture doesn’t have to just be restricted to the sofa cleaning. You can use it in aromatherapy diffusers, which work by dispersing the scent throughout your home. There are several types of diffusers, such as the popular ultrasonic or nebulizing options, where you go with the one that delivers your ideal intensity. Scented candles or room sprays work too for areas like the living room or when entertaining guests, contributing to the overall effect. Go for complementary scents that match the mood or the décor of the space.
Preparing Your Cleaning Solutions
The most commonly recommended ratio for a general cleaning solution is equal parts of vinegar and water, providing a balance that is strong enough to clean effectively without overwhelming with the scent of vinegar. Vinegar acts as a natural deodorizer and cleaner while being gentle on most fabrics. For a standard 16-ounce solution, adding 15-20 drops of your preferred essential oils will suffice.
Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, follow this process:
- Mixing the Solution: In a glass spray bottle, combine your measured amounts of vinegar and water. Glass is preferred over plastic as it better preserves the integrity of the essential oils and doesn’t react with the acidic vinegar.
- Adding Essential Oils: Add the essential oils directly to your vinegar and water mixture.
- Shaking and Storing: Secure the spray nozzle on the bottle and shake well to ensure the oils are evenly distributed throughout the solution.
Before you go using the final solution on the sofa, first ensure that it is compatible with the upholstery material. Test it out on an inconspicuous spot. Once confirmed, lightly spray the solution over the sofa, focusing on areas that are frequently used and likely to have absorbed odors. Avoid saturating the fabric to prevent moisture damage.
For an all-purpose cleaning spray that can be used on your sofa and other surfaces, consider blending lemon or grapefruit essential oil with white vinegar and water. This mixture not only cleans effectively but also leaves behind a fresh, invigorating scent. Combine 10 drops of your chosen citrus essential oil with 250ml of white vinegar and 250ml of water in a spray bottle.
Remember to fluff and rotate your cushions to ensure even wear and maintain their shape. This also helps in better distribution of the essential oils absorbed in the fabric).
Deep Cleaning and Odor Removal
Smells on upholstered furniture come from all kinds of sources. With the cleaning, the actual source has to be got rid of. Accidental spills from beverages like coffee or wine and crumbs from food that penetrated sofa fabrics and started decomposing. hair, dander, and accidents (like urine or vomit) from pets can soak into the furniture – it all needs to go. Is there a smoker in the premises? Some of the smoke can have clung onto the fabric. Same case with furniture that is close to the fireplace. Regular use of the sofa also leads to accumulation of body oils and sweat in the upholstery, which can produce a musty odor over time. Since you don’t want the smells to recur, ensure that the cleaning process is thorough enough to deal with the underlying substances causing it.
A quick fix for the odor problem is sprinkling baking soda across the sofa, let it sit to absorb odors, then vacuum it up before misting the area with your spray. This method is particularly useful for removing pet smells and refreshing the fabric. Light weekly spritzes can help keep your furniture consistently pleasant-smelling and free of allergens.
Want to freshen up your sofa fabrics without necessarily washing it? You can make a homemade fabric refresher. How? Mix 15 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oils with about 100 ml of white vinegar and 100 ml of water in a spray bottle. It will buy you time, but eventually a deeper cleaning will be required – one that gets to the funk that is buried within the cushions and padding. The products and processes used must be compatible for the particular kind of furniture that you’re dealing with.
Check the sofa label – often found under seat cushions or on the underside of the sofa, provide care instructions and cleaning codes. Some codes include:
- W: You can use water-based cleaning agents to work on your sofa – including a steam cleaner or a damp cloth with mild detergent.
- S: Sofas should be cleaned with solvent-based cleaners only. Water can cause stains or damage, so it’s best to use dry cleaning solvents.
- WS or SW: These fabrics can be cleaned with either water-based or solvent-based products. This gives you a bit more flexibility when selecting your mode of approach.
- X: This indicates that the sofa should not be cleaned with water or solvent-based cleaners. Vacuuming or light brushing should be used instead, and more serious stains should be professionally cleaned.
Luxurious Furniture Polish
If your sofa has any wooden components or if you just want to treat other wooden furniture, a homemade polish with orange essential oil can enhance the wood’s natural beauty while providing a deep clean. Mix 10 drops of orange essential oil with 100ml of a carrier oil like sweet almond oil, and apply with a soft cloth for a natural shine and a delightful citrus aroma.
Each of these recipes utilizes the natural properties of essential oils to enhance the cleaning power and sensory experience of your chores. Whether you’re looking to invigorate, relax, or simply clean, these aromatherapy solutions offer a natural and enjoyable way to maintain your home.
Bringing In The Professionals
Now, imagine combining the mood-enhancing benefits of aromatherapy, with the quality and reliability of using expert contractors for the sofa cleaning. After all, you don’t have to hive off hours form your weekend and days of relaxation to spend them dealing with the dirt and grime that is on the sofas.
Here’s how it works: When the cleaning team arrives, they bring with them not only their expertise in making your sofas look their best but also the equipment to diffuse natural essences during the cleaning process. Plus with this approach, they ensure that the products that are used are perfectly safe for your fabrics and your family.
Given that there are numerous local sofa cleaning services, take your time to do a background check before settling on one particular provider. Go through reviews left behind by previous clients. You’ll easily find these on social media platforms and business directory listings. If the business does not have an online presence, that is a red flag. Also look into how long the company has been in operation, as well as whether they have insurance. This is to protect you from any liabilities in case of any accidents while there are on your property.
Before green-lighting the cleaning project, here are some questions you should ask the contractor:
- What cleaning methods do you use?
Different contractors have their own methods of approach. Will they go with steam cleaning, dry cleaning, or shampooing? Which is the right one for your particular upholstery? Ask them to explain why they would choose a specific method for your sofa.
- What kind of cleaning agents do you use?
You can’t skimp on this one. What chemicals are being introduced into your home? If you have vulnerable family members, such as kids or the elderly, you want to be extra careful. Then there are those who want to work with companies that embrace their eco-conscious values. Whichever the case, you should be informed beforehand on what to expect.
- Can you remove all types of stains?
Are there any particular stains that your furniture has that will need to be dealt with? These are the likes of ink stains, urine stains from pests, wine, etc. Bring this to the attention of the contractor, and ask them if they can remove the stains without damaging the fabric. Even for this, ensure that they have explained to you the exact measures they will take to deal with the issue.
- How long will the cleaning process take?
You want to be able to plan yourself, not sit around without having an idea of how long this will take. When will the team arrive, and how much time do they plan on spending to get the task done? Also ask them if they need you to take any preparation before they come. For instance, for households with dogs, the contractors may be more comfortable if you make alternative arrangements for the pets so as to not aggravate your furry friends, while others don’t have a problem with it.
- What is your pricing structure?
Clarify if they charge a flat fee or by the size of the sofa. Also, inquire if there are any additional charges for extra services like stain protection or deodorizing. Remember that price should not be the only determinant factor. The goal here is to get value for your money, not simply rush for the cheapest service and end up getting frustrated in the end.
It’s important to know if they offer a satisfaction guarantee. This shows they are confident about the quality of their service and are willing to back it up. What will they do in case you’re not satisfied with the outcome of the cleaning?
- Can you provide references or before-and-after photos?
Requesting references or photos of their previous work can give you a better idea of the results you can expect. This ties in with the reviews. Successful sofa cleaning companies will have plenty of testimonials that they can give you to back their claims of delivering a quality service.
By adopting aromatic sofa cleaning, you also contribute to a greener planet. Using natural, biodegradable essential oils as part of your cleaning arsenal reduces the need for chemical-laden products, which often contribute to indoor pollution and environmental harm. It’s a simple yet profound way to care for your health and the earth simultaneously. Start small—perhaps with a homemade spray for your living room—and gradually integrate these practices throughout your home.