5 dirtiest spots in your home and how to clean them with Downy

Germumus in your hard-to-wash home items might be hiding in plain sight. 

We are spending more time indoors now than ever, and as we retreat to our sanctuary, it is vital to keep our indoor environment clean and hygienic all day long. However, germs have mastered the art of hiding in some areas—and they are usually not the easiest to clean! This includes our hard-to-wash fabrics which are always vulnerable to deep-seated germs and viruses we call Germumus, or germs, bacteria, and pathogens that appear invisible, but are already stealthily living in our hard-to-wash items.

When was the last time you cleaned your couch? Six months ago? Last year? Never? Bring on the power tools! Here are some ways to keep them clean and what you can do in between washes to keep common trouble spots around the house germ-free.

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Couches and Sofas: We all love being couch potatoes but lounging on a dirty sofa is a no-no. Did you know that the average sofa has 12 times more bacteria than your toilet seat? As they can easily trap dirt, allergens, and bacteria in their soft fibers, experts recommend having them professionally cleaned every 6 months. At home, you can use a hand vacuum to clean debris and dirt from the sofa’s surface. Be sure not to forget the crevices where dirt can accumulate!

Curtains: Cleaning your curtains might be included in your low-priority tasks but they actually accumulate a lot more grime than meets the eye. Just like the couches, curtains can also trap dust and dirt. Schedule to wash your curtains twice or more a year with cool or lukewarm water and mild detergent.

Bed Sheets: Ideally, you should change your bedsheets and pillowcases at least once a week as they can have a buildup of oils, dirt, and sweat from daily use. Compared to the average toilet seat, a one-week-old bed sheet contains 29,000 more bacteria. To clean, check the care label and wash with the hottest water temperature setting indicated.

Carpets: Dirty carpets not only look bad but they’re also full of pollutants and grime. Experts recommend having them cleaned by a professional at least once a year or every quarter if you have pets or kids. If you can’t schedule a pro, use a sponge or soft-bristle brush and work a cleaning solution into a lather. 

Area rugs: Unless your area rug is extremely delicate, cleaning your area rug is something you can easily take on yourself. High-traffic area rugs should be cleaned at least every 3 months to not only extend the life of your rugs but also to make sure dirt is regularly removed. Thoroughly vacuum the rug on both sides or take the smaller rugs outdoors and shake them off as much as you can.

Other Hard-to-Wash Fabrics: Any area of your home with high traffic and surfaces that get touched a lot is basically a germ bank. This includes your bags, shoes, pet bed, and even office chairs! You can clean them by vacuuming to remove loose dirt or running the covers through the washing machine (if possible) using the warmest appropriate water setting. 

Regular laundering of fabrics and cleaning soft surfaces with soap and water will go a long way. But if you’re grossed out by all of the germs and bacteria that might be lurking in your home, you’re probably wondering what you can do in between washes to make sure these germ-laden spots are cleaned every day. Unfortunately, you cannot simply shake and pound out deep-seated Germumus. It helps, sure, but it’s definitely not enough. 

As told by our experts, bacteria and viruses grow exponentially in these hard-to-wash fabrics and ordinary punas, pagpag, or vacuuming is not enough to remove them. “We come in contact with bacteria and viruses every day and millions of these linger on fabric items such as mattresses, sofas, rugs, and curtains, and the like,” said Prof. Joel C. Cornista, current President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc.. “Dusting or vacuuming every few weeks may be helpful but bacteria and viruses can still grow in these items in between your general cleaning days. Exposure to these bacteria and viruses may lead to infections and trigger allergies, and so it will be wise to degerm these items daily.

Fortunately, you need not worry anymore! The NEW Downy Antibac Fabric Spray is your quick and easy solution for the germumus in your hard-to-wash fabrics. It penetrates deep into fabrics to remove 99.9% of germs and eliminate odors, making our homes germ-free and smelling fresh instantly! Use this on your bed and mattresses, sofas, curtains, and even on your shoes and bags!

Using the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray is so easy that anyone at home can do their part in eliminating germumus. Complete your cleaning routine with the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray that gets rid of the dust and bacteria left behind after dusting and vacuuming. Simply turn the spray cap on, position your hard-to-wash fabric 20-30 cm away from the spray, and spray until the fabric is wet. Let it air dry after so you can fully experience the 99.9% Antibac freshness! 

Level up your cleaning game by including the Downy Antibac Fabric Spray to your daily cleaning routine to ensure your home smells fresh and is safe from germumus all day, everyday! Together, #LetUsSprayAndProtect with #DownyAntibacFabricSpray!