Although maintaining a fresh home is vital, many of us hesitate when it’s time to deep clean curtains, pillows, upholstery, and carpets.
It’s not always clear to the naked eye, but these objects often collect dust, filth, and allergens.
Regular spot treatments are enough for a quick refresh. However, if you want to remove bacteria and stains, a more targeted approach is required.
With the correct tools and methods, you can efficiently clean all these surfaces without stress.
This article covers everything you need, from knowledge of fabric varieties to knowing when to call in experts.
Understanding Fabric Types
Knowing the types of textiles you are working with is of huge importance so as not to damage them. Various materials demand different methods.
Drapes
You’ll find curtains made of different fabrics, including velvety cotton or delicate materials such as silk and lace.
While some can be thrown right into the washing machine, others demand dry cleaning or spot treatments. So, it’s important to read the care instructions, if available.
Cushions
You need to keep in mind the type of cloth you’re dealing with, whether you are cleaning ornamental cushions or bed pillows.
Foam pillows can not withstand being soaked in water, whereas fibre-filled ones usually can be machine-washed.
Furniture
Check the manufacturer’s care label to find out if the fabric can be steam cleaned or needs dry-cleaning treatments.
When you have that information, you can then proceed without hesitation.
Rugs
Especially in crowded locations, carpets and rugs accumulate allergens, dirt, and spills. One needs to first figure out whether they’re made of wool, synthetic, or natural fibres before choosing the best cleaning method.
Carpet cleaning experts caution that using the wrong method causes shrinkage, discolouration, or other irrecoverable damages. If you have rare oriental carpets, then you should definitely call a professional company.
Keeping Your Curtains Fresh
Although they are sometimes disregarded in routine cleaning, drapes trap dust, allergens, and even mould. Frequent care will keep them looking elegant and free from outdoor pollutants.
Machine washing on a soft cycle can do wonders for lightweight curtains, including cotton and polyester. Always use a light detergent and air dry to prevent shrinkage.
If they are made of silk, velvet, or lace, they will probably need expert cleaning. This will prevent the risk of damaging the fabric or its colour.
For destroying germs and eliminating dust particles, steamers are quite handy. This way, you can disinfect and deodorise drapes without taking them down using a handheld model.
Spraying a fabric sanitiser meant for curtains could also be useful if you are dealing with stubborn smells.
Clean Your Pillows
Since cushions are some of the most used household items, they typically gather dust mites, skin oils, and sweat. So, it makes sense that they can become stained or start to smell bad eventually.
This won’t just make your room appear filthy, but sleeping on dirty pillows can cause health issues and exacerbate fatigue.
Many fibre-based pillows, including polyester or feather-filled ones, can be machine-washed. Run a light cycle using warm water and a little detergent. Add some tennis balls into the dryer to help keep the pillows evenly distributed for fluffier results.
On the other hand, foam cushions call for another method. These can grow mildew and hold moisture, thus they should not be submerged in water.
The best choice is rather spot cleaning with a light detergent solution and air drying. Moreover, regularly airing them out would help them stay fresh for longer.
Moreover, a steam cleaner destroys germs and dust mites without soaking the fabric, making the process more streamlined.
You can also try putting baking soda over the pillow, let it set for a few hours to absorb smells, and then hoover it.
Keeping Furniture New
Furniture cleaning can be overwhelming, particularly if you have bigger items like sofas and armchairs. Nevertheless, your upholstery will last longer and look fantastic with the correct cleaning techniques.
You should first routinely vacuum your furnishings. This helps eliminate dirt and dust before they get rooted in the cloth. For this purpose, a hoover including an upholstery attachment works quite well.
The type of fabric will determine certain choices for further cleaning. Should your upholstery bear a “W” or “WS,” indicating it is water-safe, you can properly disinfect it with a steam cleaner.
Choose a solvent-based cleaner for more fragile upholstery, such as those branded with an “S,” which denotes dry cleaning only. These products are meant to lift grime without leaving water stains or causing fabric damage.
Calling in an expert is a smart decision, whether you’re not confident about handling upholstery on your own or the fabric is especially valuable.
The Ultimate Carpet Deep Clean
Rugs, whether they’re plush or flat-woven, draw allergens, dirt, and stains. While frequent vacuuming is important, every so often, carpets need a more thorough treatment.
Cover the carpet with baking soda for surface-level cleaning. Then, let it absorb scents for 15 to 30 minutes and hoover it.
Spot clean with white vinegar and water. Just daub the solution on the stain with a fresh cloth, but avoid scrubbing because this would further push the stain into the fibres.
This method is ideal for households with children or pets since it’s both effective and chemical-free.
For exceptionally dirty carpets or difficult stains, you need to consider contacting a carpet cleaning business.
Experts often leverage hot water extraction, a method where high-pressure water breaks down dirt and microorganisms. This is quite an effective way of sanitising rugs, especially in homes with a lot of foot traffic.
These services can also offer solutions to increase the lifetime of your carpet and decrease further damage. Consider the degree of wear and tear your carpet has endured to decide whether to clean it yourself or call in specialists.
Conclusion
Keeping your furniture, carpets, pillows, and draperies clean is not difficult. From steaming curtains to tackling tough carpet stains, there are many methods to amp up your cleaning game.
Should you ever be unsure which approach to apply or if the process seems too complex to undertake alone, specialists are available to assist you.
Whichever path you decide on, your family and you will appreciate your fresher, cleaner surroundings.
