I’m a cleaning professional – there’s an overlooked spot in my home that’s covered in bacteria

WHEN it comes to cleaning our home, we all think about the big things, like the floors, countertops, and bathrooms.

This is because these types of spaces experience much more wear and tear than other spaces and often see more traffic than other areas in the home.

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But there is one place that is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and it is often overlooked and forgotten.

Experts warn that we may not be cleaning the sofa, leaving our home dusty and dirty.

Our sofas are exposed to all kinds of dirt, dust and bacteria, which can not only affect the quality of the sofa’s appearance, but also pose a risk to the health of the household.

And Joana Sadovskaja, Sofa expert at Love benchessaid that cleaning is a crucial task that should be added to our to-do list.

She explains: “Sofas are one of the most used pieces of furniture and are exposed to dirt from everyday life.

Pets, children and people are the culprits when it comes to leaving dirt, grit and stains on sofas. These stains can even get into the cracks of the sofa.

“These stains can sometimes be difficult to remove. Even if you have brushed the surface, there may still be residue left on your sofa.

“Over time, dust can also build up. Dust mites are one of the microorganisms that nest in your sofa.

Neglecting the hygiene of your sofa can affect the quality of the furniture and expose your home to harmful bacteria.

“A dirty couch can harbor bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, putting your household at risk for infections.

“These bacteria are caused by dirt, sweat and other contaminants.

“Dust that collects on the sofa over time can also affect your health and cause allergies.

“If you don’t clean your sofa often, it can also affect its quality and appearance. That’s why it’s important to clean it.

“Buildup of dirt and dust can cause discoloration or even a yellowish cast, giving the sofa and the entire room a lower quality appearance.”

Joanna also shared how often you should clean your sofa to keep it in top condition, which is more often than you might think.

She said: “There are several factors that determine how often you should clean your sofa.

“This may depend on the material of the sofa. For example, a fabric sofa is more susceptible to stains and requires more frequent maintenance than a leather sofa, which is more durable and easier to clean.

“In a busy household with many people, children and pets, the sofa needs to be cleaned more often than in smaller, less dirty households.

“Vacuuming the sofa weekly and wiping the surface at least once a month prevents dirt from building up and reduces the chance of bacterial growth.

“A good rule of thumb is to do a quick clean once a month and a deep clean every six to 12 months for maximum safety and a high-quality sofa.”

10 Overlooked Places in Your Home You Forget to Vacuum

MANY people are not aware that they are not reaching certain places with their vacuum cleaner. This can lead to a huge build-up of dirt.

Joshua Warren, vacuum expert at AO.com, highlights 10 places that cleaning enthusiasts may forget. These are:

• Dryer – Take the time to clean the lint filter and use the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to reach every nook and cranny and get your dryer spotlessly clean.
• Curtains – Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck up dust, keeping them looking cleaner for longer.
• Fixed upholstery – It is important to regularly remove dirt and dust from the surface so that it does not penetrate the fabric.
• Ceilings – The long attachment allows you to easily reach hard-to-reach places in your home.
• Lighting fixtures and lampshades – they will also benefit greatly from your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment, especially if you’re wary of using cleaning products on delicate fabrics or finishes.
• Mattress – The upholstery attachment is a great way to keep your mattress fresh
• Electrical articles – the soft brush of your vacuum cleaner is also fantastic for removing dirt from any electrical appliances that you don’t want water or cleaning products near.
• Blinds – Reuse your brush attachment to make dusting easier and keep your teeth shiny and clean for longer.
• Drawers and cabinets – if you’ve cleaned out your drawers or wardrobe recently, they were probably dusty and full of clutter. Grab the vacuum cleaner.
• Skirting boards – the dust and dirt are lifted from the wood and sucked directly into the vacuum cleaner. This is an extremely efficient way of dusting.