Carpet Cleaning Dublin

Seasonal Sofa Care: Adapting Your Cleaning Routine Year-Round

Each period of the year has its unique challenges when it comes to home maintenance tasks. Specifically with the sofa, there are aspects that you should take into consideration. Let’s break them down. 

Spring Sofa Care

After spending much of the winter indoors, your sofa might be looking a bit tired once the Fall comes rolling in. Plus, with the warmer weather, pollen and other allergens from blooming flowers can find their way into your home and onto your upholstery. It’s a great time to do a total deep clean of the sofa.  

More time outdoors means more soiling will eventually make its way back to the furniture, and you don’t want to accelerate the wear caused by the debris that is already piling up within the material.  As you host more guests, there are increased chances of food and drink spills and more wear and tear from guests using the sofa. Plus spring showers bring mud and moisture. If shoes aren’t removed before entering the home or if pets aren’t wiped down, mud can easily be transferred onto your sofa fabrics. 

Vacuum the furniture, using the upholstery attachment to suck up all the dust, pet hair, and bits hidden in the crevices, especially under the seat cushions. It’s recommended that you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to catch over 99% of particles and keep them from circulating back into the room.

Next, it’s time for steam cleaning. This step tackles more stubborn dirt and light stains while killing bacteria and dust mites lurking in the fabric. Make sure you choose a steam cleaner that’s suitable for your sofa’s material, and adjust the heat setting to prevent damage. Move the cleaner slowly in overlapping strokes to cover all areas. It’s recommended that you get professionals to come in for the deep cleaning, since they have the equipment and experience necessary to ensure they carry out a quality job. 

Extra tips:

  • Using Allergen-Proof Covers: It’s a good idea to use covers for your sofas and pillows. These covers block allergens from getting into the fabric of your furniture, helping to cut down on what you’re exposed to daily.
  • Air Purification: Employ air purifiers in living spaces to help filter out airborne allergens. Make sure they have HEPA filters, which are great at trapping tiny particles like pollen and pet dander. This can significantly reduce the allergens in the air, particularly in spaces where you spend a lot of time.
  • Step Up Cleaning Habits: Regularly wipe down hard surfaces with a damp cloth to keep dust from flying around. Also, washing things like decorative throws and cushion covers often in hot water will help get rid of allergens that stick to these fabrics.
  • Manage Home Humidity: Keeping your home’s humidity low makes it less welcoming to dust mites and mould. Consider using a dehumidifier if needed and ensure areas prone to moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms, are well ventilated.

 

Summer Sofa Care 

As summer heats up, it  comes with its set of challenges. During garden parties, guests often wander in and out, bringing bits of the outdoors with them each time they sit down, including soil, grass, and , for those with pets and toddles, mud. Coming home from the beach,   sand and salt can cling to clothing, towels, and beach bags. When these items make contact with your sofa, they can deposit sand grains deep into the fabric folds and crevices. Greasy hands and smoky clothing from those backyard barbecues can transfer oils and soot to your sofa’s surfaces. During this time, kids’ hangouts and parties are common – but also chaotic.  Paints, glues, and other crafting supplies can accidentally be spilled or smeared on the sofa. These substances can be particularly stubborn to remove. Indoor picnics on those rainy summer days?  Crumbs can get lodged in the seams and cushions of the sofa, attracting pests. Spilled beverages and sauces can seep into the fibers.  With children on school holidays and more social gatherings, the increased use of sofas can lead to a buildup of sweat, oils, and general wear. Routine vacuuming, dealing with spills immediately and scheduling a professional sofa cleaning session will enable you to protect your furniture. 

It’s not just the dirt on the sofas that’s an issue. Intense sunlight is known for causing upholstery to get discolored and fade.  This season also sees an influx of more unwelcome guests into the homes as well. Pests like ants, spiders, and even rodents can enter through the tiniest openings. Check for and seal any cracks, holes, and gaps around windows, doors, and walls. Using caulk or weather stripping can effectively keep these pests out​. Also keep your bins tightly sealed and dispose of garbage regularly. Pests are attracted to food waste, so ensuring your bins are clean and well-maintained is essential in deterring them​.

Pests thrive in moist environments. Ensure there is no standing water around your home and that areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, are well ventilated. Regularly check and clean gutters to prevent water accumulation, which can attract mosquitoes and other pests​.

Consider using natural deterrents such as cedar blocks under sofa cushions. Cedar’s natural oils are repelling many insects including moths and ants. Have a home garden? Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to naturally reduce pest populations without resorting to harsh chemicals. You’ll need to keep your garden and yard well-trimmed too. Overgrown bushes and tall grasses provide breeding grounds and entry points for pests. Maintaining a tidy outdoor area reduces the likelihood of pests finding their way into your home.

Extra Tips:

  • Using UV Protective Window Films: These films can block a significant amount of UV radiation and infrared rays, which are primarily responsible for heat build-up inside your home. How? They reflect sunlight before it penetrates into the room, keeping things cool – and with the welcome benefit of reducing risks of discoloration or fading of the sofa upholstery. 
  • Cellular Shades: Their unique design traps air and creates a barrier against heat, making them effective at insulating your windows during the hot months. 
  • Managing Air Flow with Awnings and Blinds: Internally, maintaining blinds and curtains can provide an additional layer of insulation and light control, further aiding in temperature regulation and protecting your furnishings from sun damage.

When you’re hosting over the summer, keep some baking soda around. After entertaining your guests, lightly dust your sofa with it, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then vacuum it off using the upholstery attachment. And to minimize cleaning hassle, why not use throws or covers? They can add a splash of color and style to your setting and protect your sofa from spills and stains. After the party, you can simply toss them in the wash.  If you spot a grease stain, sprinkle a bit of cornstarch on it and let it sit for a few hours. The cornstarch absorbs the grease, making it easier to clean up afterwards.

Also keep a cleaning caddy handy. Stock it with microfibre cloths, gentle cleaning spray, a small brush, and anything else you might need for a quick cleanup. Whenever possible, open your windows before and after gatherings to help air out your living space. It helps to dispel cooking smells, smoke, or any mustiness, keeping your sofa and room smelling fresh.

Autumn Sofa Care

Swap out lighter summer throws for thicker, warmer ones that complement your decor and provide extra warmth. Opt for materials like wool or fleece that retain heat well. This not only adds a seasonal touch to your decor but also enhances the comfort of your sofa​. If you have any outdoor furniture pieces that are used seasonally, it’s time to store them away or cover them to protect from the cold and moisture of the coming months​. This extends their lifespan and ensures they are ready to use when warmer weather returns.

The mould problem never really goes away. In fact, the cooler weather of the Fall and increased indoor moisture increase chances of the fungi pitching root in your upholstery. That’s why it is important to manage moisture levels, like with a dehumidifier.  Aim to maintain humidity levels below 60% to inhibit mold growth​. Proper ventilation is also key. Crank up those exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove moisture-heavy air. On dry days, open up windows let more fresh air in to circulate throughout the home​.

Extra Tips

  • Check and Clean Fireplaces: Have a fireplace? You’re more likely to start using it during this period. Check for any blockages in the chimney and have it professionally cleaned if necessary to prevent soot and creosote accumulation. Keep in mind that particulate matter from the fireplace is likely to wind up on the upholstery, so more frequent vacuuming and sofa cleaning will be needed. 
  • Window Treatments: Thermal curtains or heavier drapes can significantly reduce the amount of heat that escapes through your windows. 
  • Seal Drafts: Check for drafts around doors and windows. Sealing these can prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping – translating to lower heating costs. 

Also ensure furniture is not pushed directly against walls as this can restrict airflow and create damp pockets. If there is sufficient room, put in some distance between your furniture and walls to enable air to circulate effectively​.

Winter Sofa Care

With wet and often muddy conditions outside, it’s easy to track dirt into your home, which can end up on your sofa. And with the house closed up to keep the heat in, less air circulates, allowing dust to settle more readily on surfaces, including your sofa. This environment also favors the proliferation of dust mites within the fabric. Pets too will be home alot, so more hair and dander in the cushions is expected, especially since FLyffly will be find the cozy sofa more appealing to rest on compared to the cold floor.

This is also when you’ll be enjoying a hot chocolate or a bowl of soup on those chilly evenings in front of the TV – where everything is perfect until an accidental spill happens, leaving a tough stain on the upholstery. 

More movie nights and indoor gatherings can mean more snacks consumed on the sofa. Crumbs from biscuits or crisps can easily slip into the crevices of the sofa cushions. Even though it’s winter, allergens like pollen can hitch a ride on your clothes after a brisk walk outdoors. Once inside, these can transfer from your clothing to the sofa, lingering in the fabric. So yes, the sofa cleaning is a year-round requirement. 

Winter air can be dry, which affects both comfort and furniture preservation. Maintaining indoor humidity levels between 35% and 45% helps prevent dry skin and respiratory discomfort, while also preserving the condition of your wooden furniture.  Enhance the comfort of your sofa with heavy throws and plush cushions. These additions not only add warmth but also refresh the look of your living room, making it a perfect retreat during cold weather. Choose materials like wool or fleece for their excellent heat retention properties​.

Extra Tips

  • Managing Static on Your Sofa: Static electricity can be a nuisance, especially in dry winter air. To curb static build-up on your sofa, try using a humidifier to keep the indoor humidity at a cozy level, which helps lessen static. Another handy tip is to wipe your sofa with a dryer sheet to neutralise static charges. If you prefer a more natural method, a light spritz of water mixed with a bit of fabric softener from a spray bottle does wonders too.
  • Cleaning Salt Residue: Family members coming into the house with salt on their boots and shoes cause it to get transferred all over the carpet, floor, and even the bases of the sofa. Entry mats go a long way in preventing this from happening. Also get them to remove outdoor footwear once inside the house. can easily transfer to your sofa bases and floors, creating stubborn marks. A vinegar + water mix is good enough to remove salt residue. If there’s dry salt present, brush it off first before applying the wet solution; this prevents the salt from dissolving and seeping deeper into the fabric.

Seasonal Sofa Care: Adapting Your Cleaning Routine Year-Round

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