Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical we always maintain our home as clean as possible in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus among our family and friends that are within our home and come in contact with any surface. Even if every person that enters our home feels healthy, it is important to know that recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not experience symptoms may also play a role in the spread of the virus.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), “Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, like doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, toys, etc. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.”
Upholstery
- Vacuum: Use your vacuum cleaner on the fabric to remove all dirt, pet hair, food crumbs and any other debris that might get trapped inside the furniture and cause the grow of harmful microorganisms within it.
- Spray cleaner: Spray all fabrics including cushions with a fabric-safe disinfectant spray. Then allow all the pieces to dry completely. If you are not sure if the disinfectant is fabric safe, try spraying it in a small hidden section of the upholstery to see if it makes any reaction.
Wooden and hard furniture
- Prepare a disinfecting mixture: Fill a spray bottle with these ingredients: 2 cups water, 1 cup vinegar and 5 drops dish soap if the surface is soiled. The vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and the dish soap adds another level of deep cleaning.
- Spray the solution on onto the surface and then use a damp cleaning rag to wipe it off. If the surface still feels soapy, rinse the rag with warm water and repeat this step.
- Wipe the furniture with a dry clean rag. If it’s a table or tv stand, you may let it sit for a while to make sure all moisture dried off before placing the objects that go on top, if any.
Leather Furniture
- Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar, then fill a spray bottle with the mix.
- Use a dry clean cloth first to remove any dirt or loose particles from the leather surface.
- Spray the cleaning solution on a clean, dry cleaning rag and then wipe the dirty areas of the leather without rubbing too hard. Finally, use a new dry cloth to wipe off any extra moisture.
For the finishing touch, condition the leather in the following way: Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a lint-free cloth and rub into leather in a thin, even coat. Allow to absorb for at least two hours (preferably overnight), then wipe off any excess with a clean dry cloth.
