I hate to break it to you, but you may have bad habits you need to ditch that are making your sofas dirty.
I've asked cleaning experts for the top three common things they tell their clients to stop doing immediately when going into their homes.
As well as this, they have also shared cleaning tips that will keep your couch looking chic and welcoming.
3 habits you need to ditch that are making your sofas dirty
1. Sitting while wearing outdoor clothes
Sure, it can be easy to roll into your home and sit straight on the couch after a long day of being out. However, if you want to keep your living room clean, it’s a wise idea not to do this.
Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, says, ‘Your clothing collects dirt, pollen, perspiration, oils, and bacteria from the day, especially from public transport or after errands.
‘Whatever you were in before you plopped yourself down on your couch transfers to your upholstery, and collects into places vacuums cannot go, leading to dirt buildup and ultimately cause odor or staining over time.’
This can also wear down your couch material over time, reducing the lifespan – something you don’t want, as the best couches can be a hefty investment.
Instead, Scott recommends changing into lounge wear to wear around the house. Make sure to have at least two pairs, so you have a wash and a wear.
‘You could also put a washable throw over your couch that acts as a barrier,’ he adds. For example, the Home Soft Things throw from Wayfair will add cozy texture.
2. Allowing pets on with no blankets
Your furry friends might be adorable, and it might be hard to resist their puppy-dog eyes. However, if you are allowing them on the couch (each to their own!), you need to lay down some ground rules.
Jessica Gonzalez, cleaning expert and COO of Sparkly Maid San Antonio, says, ‘A bad habit I consider a big one is allowing pets to sleep right on the couch with no blanket or anything underneath.
‘Even a clean pet shed dander, hair, and body oils that transfer to the upholstery. It isn't that I don't want pets to be on the furniture, I just want there to be a layer of protection that is easily washed.’
Scott agrees, recommending picking up a blanket or designated pet cover that is washable, and washing it every week. The Ameritex blanket from Amazon has over 20,000 five-star reviews and comes in 23 different colors.
If you really want to spoil your pooch or kitty, you could always get them their own pet furniture seat, like the BingoPaw sofa from Walmart that’s easy to clean.
3. Eating on the couch
I’m going to be honest – I do eat on the sofa. So, if you’re reading this and feeling slightly called out, you’re not alone. However, after speaking with the pros, I’m now going to be eating in the dining room.
Jessica explains, ‘Crumbs in the seams, greasy fingers on the cushions, or spills happen more often than people think. Even snacks have residue which can invite bacteria or staining.’
Scott agrees, adding, ‘Over time, each of these instances will lead to discoloration of the upholstery or, in the worst-case scenario, attract pests.’
Jessica always recommends food at the table, but if you do have any eaters living in your home that need to eat on the couch, such as children, you can put a washable mat under the plate. The Sunday table linens from Lulu and Georgia have a cute stripe that will enhance your living room design.
If you're always going to eat on the sofa, invest in a lap tray like this with edges to catch your crumbs and food debris. The cushion underneath is comfortable, detachable and the cover machine washable for easy cleaning.
Scott continues, ‘If eating on the couch causes any stains, be sure to spot clean it as soon as you’re done.’
He adds that it’s worth considering keeping cleaning supplies like microfiber cloths nearby (the Homexcel cloths from Amazon are my favorites) so you can clean the couch, wiping down the arms or cushions you used while snacking.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Having a powerful upholstery cleaner in your cleaning cupboard is always handy, whether you are breaking these bad habits or not. This has over 80,000 five-star reviews from shoppers who say it's easy to assemble, compact for storage, and relatively light to carry around.
I have this handheld vacuum and use it all the time for vacuuming crumbs from my couch, stairs, and hard-to-reach crevices. In fact, I even have two – one for my home and one for my car. Homes & Gardens reviewer Laura Honey also loves it, giving it four-stars in her review.
Clean up any spills or stains with this liquid stain remover that's formulated for upholstery. It can be used on polyester, nylon, and cotton blends, so be sure to check your couch material before applying it. Once you do, it can lift stains in five minutes.
Meet our experts
Avoiding these habits are things people with clean living rooms always do, so I definitely recommend taking them on board.
Want to carry on waving goodbye to bad home habits? Learning the tidying habits to quit will also come in useful.
