It’s a good idea to shampoo your furniture twice a year, or more if it really needs it. When you’re finished, sofas and recliners may look showroom new again.
However, what’s left behind in the fabric can be downright irritating—irritating to skin, eyes, ears, and even lungs. How can that be? Surely companies wouldn’t be able to sell upholstery cleaning products to families if those products are legitimately dangerous, right? Wrong. In fact, consumer laws regarding upholstery cleaning products are much more permissive than you might think.
Many consumer laws regarding upholstery cleaning products allow for the use of products we know to be considered toxic if ingested, or even if applied directly to the skin. Those harsh, dangerous chemicals are the reason so many cleaning products recommend users wear protective gloves during use. If something is that bad for your skin, does it really make sense to clean furniture or floors with it? Who wants to stretch out on a sofa that’s rife with harsh chemicals?
How do you know which upholstery cleaning products are safe? Aside from the occasional spot clean for a pesky stain, what upholstery needs most is a cleaner to sweep away dust, allergens, dander, and all the things that accumulate when no one is looking. The best upholstery cleaning products will also tackle dust mites, mildew, pollen, and mold. Look for natural products that are concentrated, allowing you to adjust the strength for your particular cleaning needs. Best of all, natural allergen-free cleaning products will keep sensitive skin, noses, and eyes free from irritation. That makes everybody happy.
