Different Ways How A Dirty Sofa Can Make You Sick

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 Different Ways How A Dirty Sofa Can Make You Sick

Different Ways How A Dirty Sofa Can Make You Sick

Dirt on the furniture does more than take away the aesthetic appeal. That dull look doesn’t just drag down the décor of the space. There are substances on the upholstery that pose a threat to the persons using the sofa- and many of these aren’t even visible to the naked eye. The sofa may even look clean, yet still contain these agents, that can cause a wide range of effects. The common health problems include:

 

  • Skin infections

 

The upholstery can contain irritants. Take the infamous dust mite for instance. This little creature survives and thrives in the warm furnishings- after all, it has the all the food needed for sustenance: the skin flakes that are shed by anyone using the sofa. As the mites grow and multiply, they also produce faecal pellets, which are the actual cause of the problem. The pellets are allergens, triggering reactions on affected persons. Add to these the body waste from the insects and pests that come to feed on the food crumbs that are deposited on the sofa. These irritants cause itching and reddening of the skin, and in some cases there may be swelling. Do you find yourself suddenly scratching your skin whenever you take a seat? This is mainly attributed to both the organic and inorganic irritants that are on the upholstery. The part that is most commonly affected is the lower side of the arm that usually comes into maximum contact with the furniture. 

 

  • Breathing issues

 

There are more allergens contained in the dirty sofa. Do you have a pet? Sections of the set can be so concentrated in the fur and dander from cats or dogs, that one gets a worse reaction simply lying on them than if you were to bury your face in the animal’s fur. Then there is the everyday dust that settles on the upholstery from the surrounding airspace, gradually building up. When you fluff the cushions and a whiff of dust is released into the air, it’s a sign that the sofa cleaning is long overdue. When the upholstery is disturbed- even just by simply sitting on the sofa, the allergens get raised into the immediate air space and inhaled. Issues like coughing, a runny nose, and watery eyes can result. It even triggers asthma attacks for affected persons. Prolonged exposure to these agents causes hypersensitivity. 

 

  • GI tract infections

 

Gastrointestinal (GI) infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. The young kids are at greatest risk of this, since they are fond of picking items that are lying on the sofa and tossing them into their mouths. They also go feeling all kinds of surfaces and the upholstery, then touching their faces and mouths. The pathogens can be transmitted from the dirty sofa into their gut, resulting in the GI tract infections. Adults too can be affected, especially those who cling to the “5-second rule” when a snack drops onto the sofa, picking it up and continuing to eat it. This is ill-advised, since the snacks may have already been contaminated. 

 

  • Outbreaks

 

When a person is ill, they are advised to take a rest to enable them recuperate. The sofa, being one of the most comfortable furnishings in the household, and where one can lounge back on with ease, is one of the go-to spots. However, with all the coughing and sneezing, it comes as no surprise that there will be increased concentrations of pathogens on the soft upholstery. When others come to use the furniture later on, they are exposed to these agents, and can contract infections. Take flu season for instance, where it seems that everyone in the household ends up getting infected. The upholstery harbours the pathogens, and they can survive on the material for long. For instance, the Norovirus can live out on the sofa for a month. Commercial establishments too are not spared, from the sofas out in the lounge and reception area, to the office seats, and the furniture in the employee lounge where your staff go to take their breaks. You don’t want an illness spreading through your workforce like wildfire.  Routine sofa cleaning and sanitisation is needed to destroy the pathogens that are calling your furnishings their home. In case there has been a recent outbreak within the establishment, ensuring that the furniture receives a thorough wash will enable you to enhance the health standards. 

 

  • Mental health

 

When the sofa is dirty, your mind registers that it is in a chaotic environment. The quality of life takes a hit. After all, just how comfortable would you be when you walk into a room and find furnishings in a messy state? If you’re a guest, your attention will be drawn to how unsanitary the place is. If it’s your property, you have those nagging thoughts about cleaning chores that demand to be attended to. It can be a stressful situation, especially due to the limited amount of time available to give the sofa a thorough wash. With your busy schedule, balancing your work life and social activities, beating those deadlines and making time to bond with your family and friends, there’s barely any leftover for the routine chores around the house, and that’s not including the monstrosity of the job that the sofa cleaning is. Stress caused by unclean environments is like a slow poison. It gradually weakens your immune system, making you vulnerable to other diseases. What’s more, the dirty furniture can be a cause for disputes and conflicts. This can range from couples clashing on who is not pulling their weight around the house when it comes to the cleaning, triggering or fuelling arguments, to rental disputes at the end of tenancy, where the landlord or letting agent assessing the premises insists that the furniture should be left in a better state, otherwise you forfeit part of the security deposit. Such scenarios can be avoided by leaving the sofa cleaning to the professionals, who will deliver the expected quality of results in moments.

 Different Ways How A Dirty Sofa Can Make You Sick

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