Australians love their pets as much as the members of their families. From a cuddling puppy, a curious cat or even a bunny or a guinea pig, pets make our homes happier, fuller, and a little more messy. Of all the spaces where this chaotic love manifests itself most overtly it is on the couch, that preferred spot where pets choose to sleep, snuggle, frolic or just lie close to you.
But with all that fur, dirt and occasional stains it appears to be practically impossible to keep your couches looking as good as new as well as fresh. This is particularly so if your furniture’s couch fabric is sensitive or if the dog has a lot of shedding skin. The good news is that there are things you can do to keep your couch clean and to ensure that your pets are as comfortable as possible. Hence, in this blog, you will learn various pet-friendly couch cleaning techniques for Australian houses as well as the need to clean couch upholstery.
Why Regular Upholstery Cleaning is Essential for Pet Owners
Cleanliness of furniture is a necessity to all households, however when you own pets then upholstery cleaning is much more essential. Here's why:
- Pet Hair and Dander: Regardless of how much your pet sheds, their hair and skin cells (dander) lie everywhere including your couch. Accumulations can occur and it will contribute to pollution of the air within your house.
- Stains and Odours: Sometimes things go wrong, and even a trained pet may spread stains and odours on the couch. For instance, if your pet spills food, pee or vomits on the couch, the area becomes sticky and if not washed appropriately, it becomes a permanent issue.
- Pet Odour: Some of the pets have a smell that may rub off onto furniture. The smell that we are so used to can make your furniture and your home uncomfortable.
- Hygiene and Allergies: Some people are allergic to pet hair and pet dander, the hair-like substance that covers bodies. Frequent upholstery cleaning will make sure the allergens are eliminated from your furniture to make sure that your home is clean for all occupants.
- Aesthetics: After some time, it becomes hard to clean and make the couch look as good as before, especially due to things like stains and pet hairs on the couch. Cleaning regularly keeps a good outlook on furniture as well as increases its durability.
Now that we know why it is necessary to clean upholstery periodically, let us now consider practical tips for cleaning a couch with pets.
Which Couch Fabrics Are Pet-friendly And Easy In Cleaning
The best way to have an easy time when cleaning is to ensure you choose pet-friendly fabrics. Not all fabrics are suitable for use in homes that have pets as we shall find out later. If you’re still in the process of choosing a new couch, consider the following fabric options:
- Leather and Faux Leather: These materials do not attract pet hair and they are easier to clean in case of a mess. They can, however, get scratched by your pet’s claws, something that may be problematic if your pet is so active.
- Microfiber: Microfiber is widely used for its hardness and resistance to stains especially when used by pet owners. Also, it is colourfast, does not make one’s hair stick to it like the traditional microfiber and is very easy to wash.
- Canvas or Denim: Such materials will not break easily due to the rough handle that is associated with the pet's life. They are not very dirty and they are not easy to scratch or chew on.
Steer clear of furniture that is made from fabrics such as velvet, silk or any other type of fabric that is plush because; the fabric attracts pet hair, they are usually scratched easily by claws.
Couch Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners
If you want to keep your couch tidy every single day, vacuuming and taking care of stains is enough, though, there is nothing better than carrying out deep cleaning of couches once in a few months. Check here for pet-friendly couch cleaning tips for Australian homes:
Regular Vacuuming
The first and easiest method of cleaning your couch is through vacuuming the surface of the couch. Pet hair and dirt can drop fast and the quicker it is vacuumed, the harder it is for pet dirt and hair to build on the furniture. Here's how to make your vacuuming routine more efficient:
- Use a Handheld Vacuum or Upholstery Attachment: A vast majority of vacuums have an upholstery tool that is utilized to attend to pieces of furniture. Apply this cleaner to access the difficult areas such as the seams and the crannies of your couch. Some handhelds also come with motorized brushes which could be handy for getting pet hair that is trapped in the material.
- Vacuum in Multiple Directions: Pet hair is known to cling at an advanced level to fibres. For better results make sure you are rotating the head of the vacuum cleaner in different angles before you get done with the process. This will make detangling easier because it will reduce the extent to which some of your hair strands become stuck.
- Vacuum the Cushions Separately: Other special parts that have to be cleaned include a sofa; if it is one with a cushion, they should be detached and cleaned on both sides with a vacuum cleaner. When you fold your sofa, remember to look for hairs, crumbs and any other particles that may have fallen through the cushions.
- Use a Lint Roller: You can always use your lint roller to do a final sweep of your furniture to remove any strands of hair that were left on the furniture after vacuuming.
Spot Clean Accidents Immediately
Any pet no matter how properly trained may at times have a reluctant accident on the couch. In case your pet gets in an accident, it is advisable to remove it as soon as possible to avoid the formation of stains and smells. Here’s a simple process for cleaning pet stains:
- Blot the Area: First, it prevents staining on the fabrics and when you happen to see a stain, blot the area immediately using a clean cloth or paper. Do not scrub on the stain as this will only drive the liquid into the fabric even further.
- Use a Pet Stain Remover: There are so many pet-specific stain cleaners in the market today that one has no reason not to find the best. Such products help in the decomposition of urine and organic matter which helps in eradicating stains and bad odour. It’s important to remember that you should only do it as the label directs you to, wash a small and invisible area of your couch.
- DIY Cleaning Solution: If you want to get away from chemicals, you’ll be glad to know that you can create your very own pet stain remover using household products. A simple solution that can be used is white vinegar, water and a few drops of dish soap mixed in equal proportions. Pour this mixture on the stain and then clean slowly. Abstain from using water on this stain fully as it may encourage the deeply rooted stains to come to the clean cloth surface.
- Dry the Area Thoroughly: When cleaning it, the area must be thoroughly dried to avoid mould and mildew forming on the cleaned surface. You can use a fan or hair dryer but on low heat to complete the process safely.
Deep Clean With Professional Upholstery Cleaning
Hiring professional upholstery cleaners can assist in cleaning your couch back to its best condition by eliminating dirt, stains, and smells from your couch.
When seeking the services of a professional upholstery cleaning company in Australia, you should go for one that uses environmentally friendly products that do not harm the pets.
Benefits Of Professional Upholstery Cleaning
- Deep Stain Removal: In most instances, professionals have the knowledge and tools for handling stains you could never remove at home.
- Odour Removal: There are professional cleaning services that offer special treatment that will eliminate pet odours leaving your couch fresh.
- Healthier Home Environment: Professional cleaning services ensure that your couch is free from allergens, dust mites, and pet dander hence improving on air quality and alleviation of allergies.
- Prolonged Lifespan of Your Couch: Cleaning of the upholstery often, also ensures that the furniture pieces last long and the fabric as well as the stuffing, remain undamaged.
Dealing with Pet Odours
Pets leave odours behind which even if washed down, is almost impossible to eliminate. Daily cleaning will remove dirt and grime, but to get rid of any bad smells you’ll need to employ some other tactics. Here are some tips for eliminating pet odours from your couch:
- Baking Soda: If you’re using baking soda, just pour it on your couch and allow it to remain there for 15-30 minutes then vacuum it up. That is why baking soda is a natural deodoriser that can absorb all unwanted smells.
- Essential Oils: You can probably lightly mist the couch with a pet-friendly scented water solution, that is a few drops of certain essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus in a spray bottle filled with water. It will also aid in eradicating stink and replacing it with a good smell, to make your couch smell nice.
- Vinegar Solution: Vinegar can also be used as a natural deodoriser where two parts of water with a single part of vinegar is an effective fungicide and mildew remover. Shower it over your couch and let it dry on its own.
- Odour-Absorbing Products: There are also commercial products that are used for neutralization of the smells produced by the pets. These are normally okay to use on furniture and can be used to give your couch a little facelift.
Protect Your Couch with Slipcovers or Throws
If you want to keep pet fur off of the couch or to prevent spills, stains, and aging from ravaging your couch, then a slipcover or throw is for you. This is because the protective covers can swiftly be removed and washed and this makes it ideal for homes that have pets.
- Slipcovers: Couch covers include, slip, loose and tailored slip or slip with or without skirts depending on the material. They can prevent pet hair from lodging on the sofa and cushion and can spare the furniture from repulsive stains while giving it a new look.
- Throws: Even an ordinary throw may serve as a barrier between your worshipping pet’s paws and your prized couch. Besides that, whenever it is time to wash it, you can just throw it into the washing machine.
Conclusion
Taking care of your couch especially if you have a pet at your home doesn’t need to be a tiresome exercise. Some simple cleaning practices and a few precautionary measures will help maintain the beauty and comfort of your seats for both you and your pets. Pet related stains must be cleaned immediately and frequent vacuuming as well as professional upholstery cleaning will enable you to maintain your couch and keep it comfortable for habitation without any pet odors.
Puppies make excellent companions, and if a couch must suffer for the cause, it doesn’t have to be your couch. Including these tips on pet-friendly couch cleaning into your routine, the house will always be clean, and comfortable for everyone, people, as well as pets.
