Buying and cleaning used furniture

RealLifeMama · 11-13-2020, 03:05 PM

So, I have been looking and looking on fb marketplace for a used sectional to provide us with a little more seating.
Typically, when a decent one is listed in my price range from a pet free, smoke free home, it is gone super fast.
Today, I happened upon one that was just listed, and they were willing to deliver, so I jumped on it and got it.

Now, I am feeling a bit squeamish. It is microfiber and it has a lot of dark spots on the corners and a few spots on a few of the cushions. I figure I can toss some pillows and a couple throws on it, but the fact that it came from a complete stranger has me feeling a little regretful now. Especially as it is microfiber, and people tend to run their hands all over it all the time, KWIM?

Have any of you ever bought second (or third, or who knows how many) hand furniture from someone you don't know?
Most of our furniture, even at our age, has been second hand, but always someone that we knew.
Am I being a big germaphobe? (maybe it is covid that has me a little wary?)

How would you best clean it so it feels more like "mine"?

SewingGreenMama · 11-13-2020, 03:15 PM

Don't let it in the house without vaccuming it thoroughly. Bedbugs can be transmitted with it. And then I'd use a carpet cleaner and really clean it.
Then, on top of that, if I could afford it, I'd buy or make a washable cover.
I get used furniture, but usually all wood or metal. Not with fabric.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

2sunshines · 11-13-2020, 06:35 PM

Almost all of our furniture, especially in the earlier years of our marriage, was/is used.

I'd deliver it outside or in the garage and yes, vacuum it really good. Take a good deep sniff and see if you notice anything. But otherwise, I wouldn't be freaked out.

Aerynne · 11-13-2020, 07:06 PM

I’ve bought used furniture and had good and bad experiences.

Singingmom · 11-13-2020, 09:18 PM

I would rent a steam cleaner and go to town on it, then feel great about it.

marbles · 11-13-2020, 11:45 PM

Is there any way you could isolate it? Any bed bugs or fleas or lice that could possibly be on it would die in a couple weeks of isolation. If possible, I'd wash, vacuum, and isolate it. If that's not possible, inspect it really well before you bring it inside. Vacuum and wash (shampoo? Some kind of spray? All purpose cleaner? I dunno) let it air a bit and hope for the best! I would imagine your chances of the couch being absolutely fine are pretty good.

Vicki_T · 11-14-2020, 01:30 AM

I am a bit of a germaphobe it’s true, but I would definitely find some way to clean it, as others have suggested.

RealLifeMama · 11-14-2020, 06:35 AM

I vacuumed it and it is in the house. I really have no where else to put it, but it is in room with no other furniture and we only have hard floors and no textiles.

It is microfiber, so I am not sure how to clean that. Anyone know? I've seen alcohol. Should I just spray the whole thing with alcohol?

SewingGreenMama · 11-14-2020, 06:36 AM

https://www.familyhandyman.com/artic...rofiber-couch/

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

2sunshines · 11-14-2020, 07:14 AM

Are there any smells that concern you? If not, I'd possibly use something to get stains out, but I don't think I'd just randomly spray the entire couch without reason for concern.

11-13-2020, 03:05 PM	#1
RealLifeMama Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 17,707	Buying and cleaning used furniture So, I have been looking and looking on fb marketplace for a used sectional to provide us with a little more seating. Typically, when a decent one is listed in my price range from a pet free, smoke free home, it is gone super fast. Today, I happened upon one that was just listed, and they were willing to deliver, so I jumped on it and got it. Now, I am feeling a bit squeamish. It is microfiber and it has a lot of dark spots on the corners and a few spots on a few of the cushions. I figure I can toss some pillows and a couple throws on it, but the fact that it came from a complete stranger has me feeling a little regretful now. Especially as it is microfiber, and people tend to run their hands all over it all the time, KWIM? Have any of you ever bought second (or third, or who knows how many) hand furniture from someone you don't know? Most of our furniture, even at our age, has been second hand, but always someone that we knew. Am I being a big germaphobe? (maybe it is covid that has me a little wary?) How would you best clean it so it feels more like "mine"? __________________ A, Mother of Dancing Diva, 18 Three Ninjas, 16, 12, and 10 Sunshine, 8, and 5 year old Joy

11-13-2020, 03:15 PM	#2
SewingGreenMama Rose Trellis Deuteronomy 11:19 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,896	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture Don't let it in the house without vaccuming it thoroughly. Bedbugs can be transmitted with it. And then I'd use a carpet cleaner and really clean it. Then, on top of that, if I could afford it, I'd buy or make a washable cover. I get used furniture, but usually all wood or metal. Not with fabric. Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk __________________ "Reflections like these lead one to spare the rod ... purely because it is not easy to find a punishment that does not defeat it's own ends." -Charlotte Mason Parents and Children pg. 171 "If punishment were necessarily reformative, and able to cure us all of those 'sins we have a mind to,' why, the world would be a very good world;" -Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children pg. 172 W&C 8/4/06; G 12yo , M 9yo , S 8/29/13 , V 5yo , Baby 3/26

11-13-2020, 06:35 PM	#3
2sunshines Moderator in Celebrations, Cloth Diapering & EC, Empty Arms, Prayer & Praise, and Swap n' Shop Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 26,328	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture Almost all of our furniture, especially in the earlier years of our marriage, was/is used. I'd deliver it outside or in the garage and yes, vacuum it really good. Take a good deep sniff and see if you notice anything. But otherwise, I wouldn't be freaked out. __________________ wife to my beloved and best friend mom to 4 great kids: ds(20) dd(17) dd(14) and ds(12)

11-13-2020, 07:06 PM	#4
Aerynne Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 25,479	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture I’ve bought used furniture and had good and bad experiences. __________________ Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 10-2002. 5-2003 4-2019 2004 2007 2010 2012 July 2017 Dec 2019

11-13-2020, 09:18 PM	#5
Singingmom Administrator Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 25,133	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture I would rent a steam cleaner and go to town on it, then feel great about it. __________________ Kelly Wife to my sweetheart for 26 years Grateful mom to 2 young men, ages 23 & 21 and one dancing girl, age 16 When I joined GCM they were 8,6, and 1. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

11-13-2020, 11:45 PM	#6
marbles Rose Garden Our Family Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 4,906	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture Is there any way you could isolate it? Any bed bugs or fleas or lice that could possibly be on it would die in a couple weeks of isolation. If possible, I'd wash, vacuum, and isolate it. If that's not possible, inspect it really well before you bring it inside. Vacuum and wash (shampoo? Some kind of spray? All purpose cleaner? I dunno) let it air a bit and hope for the best! I would imagine your chances of the couch being absolutely fine are pretty good. __________________ Mary K wife to Daniel for 13 years mom to 10 year old the Girl and 9 year old the Boy and 6 year old Tiny Almost always posting from my phone.

11-14-2020, 01:30 AM	#7
Vicki_T Rose Garden Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 3,966	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture I am a bit of a germaphobe it’s true, but I would definitely find some way to clean it, as others have suggested.

11-14-2020, 06:35 AM	#8
RealLifeMama Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 17,707	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture I vacuumed it and it is in the house. I really have no where else to put it, but it is in room with no other furniture and we only have hard floors and no textiles. It is microfiber, so I am not sure how to clean that. Anyone know? I've seen alcohol. Should I just spray the whole thing with alcohol? __________________ A, Mother of Dancing Diva, 18 Three Ninjas, 16, 12, and 10 Sunshine, 8, and 5 year old Joy

11-14-2020, 06:36 AM	#9
SewingGreenMama Rose Trellis Deuteronomy 11:19 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,896	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture https://www.familyhandyman.com/artic...rofiber-couch/ Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk __________________ "Reflections like these lead one to spare the rod ... purely because it is not easy to find a punishment that does not defeat it's own ends." -Charlotte Mason Parents and Children pg. 171 "If punishment were necessarily reformative, and able to cure us all of those 'sins we have a mind to,' why, the world would be a very good world;" -Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children pg. 172 W&C 8/4/06; G 12yo , M 9yo , S 8/29/13 , V 5yo , Baby 3/26

11-14-2020, 07:14 AM	#10
2sunshines Moderator in Celebrations, Cloth Diapering & EC, Empty Arms, Prayer & Praise, and Swap n' Shop Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 26,328	Re: Buying and cleaning used furniture Are there any smells that concern you? If not, I'd possibly use something to get stains out, but I don't think I'd just randomly spray the entire couch without reason for concern. __________________ wife to my beloved and best friend mom to 4 great kids: ds(20) dd(17) dd(14) and ds(12)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode