eco-friendly upholstery cleaning Many people are going green as they are aware of the consequences of using chemicals. Both people and the environment are endangered when hazardous compounds are used on a daily basis. One of the common mistakes that many homeowners do is to assume that their upholstery is clean because there are not visible signs of dirt and grimes on its surface. In reality, if you have used your furniture for a couple of months, it definitely needs some sanitising. If you neglect this, you only shorten the life of your sofa. If you are concerned about the environment and want to improve the indoor air quality as well as the overall well-being of your family, read on and find out some tips on green cleaning your upholstery.
As we already mentioned, even if your upholstered furniture doesn`t look dirty, you have to clean it regularly as microscopic allergens can appear in your house. If you have little children and sensitive family members, this might result in developing some respiratory problems. Animal dander (if you are a pet-owner) and dust mites are the main reasons for allergies. To begin the cleaning process, you should thoroughly dust your upholstery. Dust and the aforementioned germs must be removed as they can penetrate in the fabric and damage it. You are more likely to experience this problem, if you live in a polluted area with high levels of dust.
How to dust the upholstery efficiently? First of all, have in mind that superficial dusting won`t be enough. In order to achieve better results, you should remove cushions and slipcovers so you can vacuum every nook and cranny. Make sure you clean the base of your sofa as there might be some cobwebs underneath. Clean your cushions and vacuum each side before placing them back. Another essential thing is to deep clean your upholstered furniture at least twice a year. Below you will find some green recipes that are proven to be efficient – you will achieve immaculate results. However, if you are not sure if the fabric of your sofa will take such treatment, better contact your local Carpet Cleaning Brisbane for advice.
When it is time for deep cleaning, the main rule is not to use too much water and to spot-test every of the methods described. Have in mind that you should make the solutions using cold water, unless you are removing grease stains. Don`t apply the mixtures on the wooden parts of the furniture. Now, before any of that, find the manufacturer’s instructions and check if there are any precautions. When you start applying the chosen recipe, always do gently and without vigorous rubbing. After that rinse by lightly spraying water and patting dry with a soft absorbent cloth, preferably white so no colour is leached onto the fabric. You are recommended to provide good ventilation in the room in order to speed up the drying process. Have in mind not to expose your upholstery/ cushions in direct sunlight to keep them from fading.
Now, let`s check the first green recipe to keep your upholstery in a decent condition. Use a natural soap, such as castile soap, to make a foam – simply put about ¼ cup soap in a blender and pour a little bit of water, just enough to form a thick foam. Apply the foam using a soft-bristled brush and make sure you don`t use too much otherwise you will get the fabric too wet. Wipe the surface once you are done with a soft cloth – this mild solution is perfect to freshen up your upholstery.
When you have to treat a small stained area of your sofa you can use two different eco-friendly approaches. The first one is to use a combination of club soda and diluted hydrogen peroxide – don`t forget to test on a hidden spot first. Your second option is to make a paste from equal parts cornstarch, baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply the thick paste on the area and let it dry completely. After that scrape off the excess and vacuum any residues if needed.
Our last suggestion for a green cleaner is the following – using 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons biodegradable liquid dish soap. Mix them and use whenever you have to handle some unpleasant odours. This solution will revive your sofa and can neutralise smells such as pet urine.
If you don`t have the time to take up to such procedures on your own but you want to clean your home in an environmentally-friendly way, you can always rely on professionals that use non-toxic and eco-friendly methods. When you are looking for one, you should check if the cleaning service provider uses techniques and detergents that are hypo-allergenic, non-hazardous and safe for pets, children and allergy sufferers. The same is valid when you are in need of cleaning your rug –Commercial Cleaning Brisbane use similar approaches to handle your filthy rugs and carpets and make sure that they are free of dirt and bacteria in a safe way for you and your family.
Once you start sanitizing your home in a green way, you will notice the difference – you will see that the indoor air quality is better, you will no longer have to worry whether your child or pet will get rashes after a major cleanup and last but not least, you do that in favour of the environment. The Earth will be thankful!