COUCH cushions are commonly neglected when cleaning. Yet they are a magnet for dirt, pet hair and spills.

COUCH cushions are commonly neglected when cleaning. Yet they are a magnet for dirt, pet hair and spills.

The reason why most cushions do not get cleaned regularly is that many people are unsure about how to clean them. These tips will help you have your cushions looking and smelling like new.

lUse the attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and crumbs.

lRoll a lint roller across the cushions to remove any excess pet hair.

lUse a steam cleaner to wash the cushions. You can rent one at your local grocery store. Turn a fan on the cushions to speed up the drying process.

lRemove the covers from the foam cushion if you do not have access to a steam cleaner and wash them in your washing machine on gentle cycle.

lWash the foam cushions one at a time in the washing machine on gentle cycle. If they don't fit in your washing machine wash them in your bathtub. Use regular detergent or vinegar.

lDry the cushions on a rack in the dryer, or put them outside on a sunny day. Make sure they are completely dry before replacing the cover.

SORT PILLOWS BEFOREWASHING

lGet your bed pillows together to see which ones are washable. Check the tags.

lSelect polyester, fibre-filled pillows with cotton or polyester covers. They are generally washable. Remove pillowcases, wash separately.

lSelect certain orthopedic pillows, depending on their materials. Some foam or other moulded pillows can be washed. Pillows filled with water, buckwheat or gel cannot be washed.

lSort through your throw pillows to see which ones are washable. Read care information from the tags.

lChoose small, fibre-filled pillows with light cotton or polyester covers to wash. Decorative pillows such as those covered with leather, very heavy cloth or beads cannot be washed.

lChoose large, heavy pillows for surface cleaning by hand. Their fillings are too dense to dry when wet.

CLEAN PILLOWSACCORDING TO TYPE

lWash bed pillows in warm or hot water, according to their care tags, in a machine that is large enough to hold them. Use less detergent than you normally would.

lWash decorative pillows in warm or cold water, depending on the cover fabric.

lConsult the care tags.

lDry all pillows thoroughly on medium heat, and then air-dry them until they are free of moisture. - www.ezinearticles.com