My mother is obsessed with fixing house interiors. So is my brother and it seemed this obsession has rubbed off me. I like fixing houses, rooms to give it a more cozy, homey and friendly atmosphere. Carpets and custom made upholstered furnitures  are just some of the fine ways to give a room a whole new look.

The problem though is that as much as I like decorating, I keep thinking this stuff really accumulates a lot of dirt and is difficult to clean. And for people like us who has asthma, well that could prove to be burdensome. So either I junk those carpets and upholstered furniture or devise a plan on how to keep this things clean so we could still enjoy it even if we have dust allergies.

• Prevention is still key. I mean with upholstery stains. Spills on furniture especially on those covered with fabrics can be really tough so as much as possible we avoid eating on the living room couches and in areas with carpets.
• Having seat covers are a big help. If it gets stained, remove it immediately so the furniture won’t absorb the spill.

• If spills can’t be prevented, cleaning the area as soon as it was spilled on. Blot out the area with a rag or a paper towel. Just blot it not rub it.
• Learn about cleaning solutions and learn also which can and cannot be used for upholstery cleaning. Some furniture uses special fibers thus requiring special cleaning solutions too. Better yet test cleaning solution first on a small or hidden portion of the fabric cover.
• If stains are old or dried out already, brushing it lightly with soft-bristled brush would help loosen the dirt then apply cleaning solution of your choice.
• Vacuuming regularly also helps.
• If your upholstered furniture or carpet is emitting a “not-so-good” odor I doubt if scented fragrances can remove it. Drying it out under the sun helps. Foul odors are usually caused by bacteria and you may need the assistance of a reliable carpet or upholstery cleaner.