Simple Way to clean Your Sofa!

After a long day, your cozy couch is the perfect place to unwind, which sometimes involves stinky feet or a late-night snack. You might not realize your couch is a bit dirty, but giving it a deep-clean helps remove built-up stuff that you'd rather not think about — like sloughed-off skin cells and leftover bits of food. If you have a natural-fabric couch, here's how to make your sofa look like new again.

Identify the Fabric

Couches come in lots of shapes and materials, with some even having removable and washable cushions. If you are lucky enough to have a cotton-blend or linen couch, you can easily clean it with natural ingredients. Before getting started, give your couch a good once-over to figure out what it's made from. Most have a tag that identifies it as:

• W: OK to use water for cleaning.
• S: Only use a solvent-based cleaner on fabric.
• SW: Either water or a solvent cleaner is safe to use.
• X: Only use a vacuum for cleaning.

Prep Your Couch

Get your couch ready for grooming by using a clean and dry white hand towel or washcloth to brush the entire piece of furniture, breaking up any dried-on spots and removing any bits that have made homes of nooks and crannies. You can also use a stiff brush for this step. Avoid using any colored towels or sponges, as the dye may alter the color of your couch.

Deep-Clean

Sprinkle the entire couch with a good heap of baking soda. Baking soda helps release lurking smells and break up stains in the fabric. If you're feeling your sofa really needs a serious clean, mix together a dry natural carpet cleaner, and then use for covering the fabric. Allow the baking soda to sit on the couch for at least 20 minutes and up to an hour before vacuuming using a brush attachment.

Stains, Begone

Now take a closer look at the couch to find any lingering stains. Mix together an easy cleaning solution, and do a small fabric spot test in an unseen location to check if there's any discoloration. Dip the washcloth in the cleaning solution, and gently dab and rub stains — or simply use for wiping down the entire couch. You'll be amazed with the results!

Just Like New

Allow the couch to dry, and touch up as needed. It may appear darker in color until it's completely dry. This cleaning method is safe to use on fabrics and can be done anytime your sofa needs a cleaning — or a little touch-up

4 Simple Steps To A Clean Dishwasher!

How to clean your dishwasher

We take our appliances for granted—none more so than the dishwasher. Its primary function is to clean, so it makes sense that it'll always be clean, right?

Wrong.

If you use your dishwasher a lot, it can easily get gunked up with leftover food, grease, and soap scum. This leads to an appliance that smells more like a sewer than a cleaning device. On top of that, the dishes that come out of it might not be as sanitary as they should.

We’ve combed through a variety of cleaning methods to find the best and easiest way for you to stay on top of your kitchen game. Here’s how to make sure your dishwasher isn't nastier than the dishes you put in it.

1. Clean your filter

Your filter is bound to accumulate gunk—after all, that’s it’s main function. So a good first step when cleaning your dishwasher is to clean that filter. Unscrew it from the dishwasher—it’s usually located at the bottom—and soak it in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. If there are any tough food particles still hanging on, you can scrub gently with a toothbrush, but try not to scrub too hard—your filter is fragile! 

When you’re satisfied, put the filter back into the dishwasher where it belongs.

2. Deodorize with vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most versatile liquids in existence—aside from water, that is. This acidic concoction can be used for cooking, killing weeds, and, yes, cleaning. Put its cleaning and deodorizing powers to good use by pouring a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher.

Run a heavy clean cycle. By the end of the cycle, your dishwasher should be fresh and sparkly-clean!

3. Deodorize with baking soda

Just to make sure your dishwasher is extra clean and devoid of any foul odors, sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, run an empty cycle, and then rejoice in the cleanliness of your beloved appliance!

4. Scrub away any remaining grime

If your dishwasher is as clean as can be, then there’s no need for extra scrubbing. But if you still see grime caught in the door seal, under the arms, or in any other nooks and crannies, you may want to go the extra mile.

A toothbrush is the perfect size to reach any tucked-away debris. Scrub gently with a little soapy water or a paste of baking soda and water until the grime is gone.

There you have it, a sparkly clean dishwasher ready for more abuse! If you've liked this post then please check out a few of our others!
Thanks for reading!

-M