To celebrate the natural creativity of youngsters, we teamed up with Ashley Manor, a UK award-winning upholstery expert, to launch a nationwide design competition called ‘My Sofa is’.
We all have those little frustrations about our partners habits around the house. From failing to do the dishes to hogging the bed covers; the smallest things can really get under our skin.
We have carried out research to find out exactly what Brits are losing down the back of their sofas every day, and we’re encouraging people to spring into action and discover what’s hidden in their couch.
The study found that three quarters of Brits have found money in their sofa while cleaning, with more than £3 million hidden down the back of the nation’s sofas. Aside from cash, the most common items Brits have found when cleaning their sofas include uneaten food (27%), car keys (21%), glasses (18%), lost bankcards (15%), and even underwear (8%). Looking at some of the more obscure items found in our sofas, respondents admitted to discovering old chewing gum, scissors, dog chews, a condom and even a couple of mice!
Simon Nicholson, Furniture Buying Director at ScS, said: “According to our research, nearly eight out of 10 (76%) UK adults clean their sofa less than once a month on average, which means there will be plenty of sofas around the country in need of some TLC.
“With the likes of uneaten food and dirty underwear festering in our nation’s sofas, we recommend regularly cleaning and sprucing up your sofa to keep it looking at its best. Here are my tips to help keep your sofa looking new for longer:
Plump up your sofa cushions
“Simply plumping up your cushions and dressing your sofa regularly can make a huge difference to its appearance and longevity, and only takes a couple of minutes to do.”
Vacuum your sofa
“Gently vacuuming your sofa just once a week will remove any dirt, dust, and crumbs, which collect over time and can lead to dulling of the fabric, particularly the front of the arms.”
Avoid direct sunlight
“Turning your cushions around and ensuring your sofa is kept out of direct sunlight, and away from heaters and radiators, will help keep your sofa’s colour consistent, especially fabric sofas.”
Avoid abrasive cleaning products
“Silicone polishes, detergents and other abrasive cleaning products should be avoided when cleaning your sofa. Spillages should be blotted as quickly as possible, ideally with a clean, dry white cloth. We also have a range of specialist cleaning kits available which can help with tackling specific spillages and liquid stains.”
Snags and decorative detailing
“Take extra care with shoes, belt buckles and jewellery on sofas with decorative detailing such as fringing or tassels, and especially with delicate fabrics.”
For more information about caring for your sofa, click here.
After 120 years of trading, ScS has gone from a single, family run furniture store to one of the UK’s largest sofa and carpet specialists, with 100 stores nationwide.
ScS has donated £1,000 towards the Seaham Coast Football Club, allowing the U7s squad to develop into a full team and become a member of the Durham County Football Association. The club has also signed up Lee French, Senior Business Reporting Analyst at ScS, to manage the team.
To celebrate reaching 100 stores nationwide we called on local communities across the UK to nominate charities and other good causes to receive a donation from a newly-launched £10,000 celebratory fund.
Over the years, a number of sofas have become so iconic within TV shows that they are almost as recognisable as the characters themselves. Here’s our top five, and the stories behind them: