Furniture Cleaning Tips for Cleaner Air

Get a Complete Clean at Home

A complete clean encompasses your entire home - from floor to ceiling and everything in between. The dirt, dust and other allergens on the surfaces in your home can - and will - become airborne. Learn how to clean these surfaces thoroughly to keep as many pesky particles as possible out of your home's air.

There's nothing more important than the air that your family breathes. In fact, the air that surrounds your family is one of the most important aspects of a clean home. Poor air quality can cause congestion, headache and even fatigue, especially for the more than 48 million Americans suffering from allergies and asthma.

The good news is you can take some easy steps to improve your home's indoor air quality.

Most people have two types of furniture throughout their home: upholstery like sofas, cushioned chairs and ottomans, and wood, including dining tables, bookshelves and dressers. Both accumulate household dust and dirt, and both need to be cleaned regularly.

Dust and dirt may not be visible on fabric and leather covered furniture like sofas, chairs and ottomans, but it's there! These furniture pieces are actually collecting more dust than your wood furniture, even though it's more noticeable on wood. The best way to clean upholstered furniture is with a vacuum's on-board attachments and make sure to do it often. (See "Selecting the Right Vacuum" for more information on available vacuum attachments.)

Remember to remove the cushions, if you can, to clean the bottoms as well as underneath and between them. Don't forget the pillows, either! Decorative pillows are also gathering dust. In addition, if you have removable slipcovers, have them professionally cleaned once or twice a year. Check your furniture's label or owner's guide for details on how to do this without damaging the fabric.

Who hasn't noticed dust glistening on the dining room table or bookcase? Dust quickly becomes noticeable on wood furniture, so make sure to dust often. And remember to dust in, around and underneath your furniture!

Use a slightly dampened soft, cloth to avoid spreading dust through the air while cleaning. You also can use some vacuum attachments to capture dust from wood furniture. Some brush attachments are soft enough for wood, and an on-board electrostatic duster grabs dust and dirt like a magnet.

Don't forget the collectibles, knick-knacks, frames and books that call your furniture home. These surfaces need frequent dusting, too!