From drapes to duvets, the textiles in your home can harbor dust mites, unpleasant odors and more. We’ve got your best solutions to freshen up every textile in your home this Spring!
Your Couch
How you care for your couch depends on the material it’s made out. For most couches, the brush attachment on your vacuum should suffice in getting rid of unwanted dust and debris from the fabric. TIP (For stains on fabric upholstery) Sprinkle baking soda on your couch and let sit for at least twenty minutes before gently buffing the stain off. (For stains on leather) Create a solution of half a cup olive oil and a quarter cup vinegar and apply to the stained area before gently buffing the excess off.
Your Drapes
The safest way to care for drapes is to hand wash and let them air dry. TIP If you’re working with a delicate fabric, you may want to skip the wash altogether and lightly dust or vacuum them instead.
Your Duvet
You should be aiming to wash your duvet every couple of months. Most duvets are machine washable, but be sure to check the instructions on the tag beforehand. TIP Drying your duvet in outside in the sunlight is a all natural way to kill micro-organisms. In the wintertime, ironing the duvet once dry will have the same cleansing affect.
Your Linens
Of course, you’re likely washing your bed linens on a somewhat regular basis, but for spring cleaning, you may want to go a step extra. To invite freshness into your linen closet year-round, Place dryer sheets in amongst your linens, for a freshly washed scent for months to come. TIP Dryer sheets can get expensive, and they’re not exactly environmentally friendly. Alternatively, stow sachets of fragrant potpourri within your sheets, towels, and pillowcases, or unlit candles, or a cotton ball soaked with your favorite scent.
Your Pillows
Pillows are a breading ground for bacteria and allergins that can be affecting you more than you know. Pillows should be washed three to six months to remove mold, bacteria, and odors. Wash them in the washing machine, and if you notice that they’re discolored, add hot water, bleach, and borax to your laundry load before starting it. TIP To ensure the machine isn’t stealing your pillows’ fluffiness, throw a couple of tennis balls covered in clean sock into the dryer with the pillows. Even better: dry them outside in the sun, for the added satisfaction of killing any remaining germs or organisms.
Your Area Rug
On average, rugs should get a deep cleaned at least every couple of years because cleaning more frequently than that can erode the fabric. For large rugs, use a carpet cleaning solution. TIP Create a non-toxic homemade cleaner, using hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, dish soap, fabric softener, hot water, and essential oils of your choosing.
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