Why Is My Couch Making Me Itch?

Couches are the centerpiece of most living rooms. With winter almost here, it might also be one of your most visited places in your home, that is, if your couch doesn’t make you itch. Once you determine that it’s your couch that is making you itch, the usual first question is, “why?”

Allergies

With the tight knit fibers of fabric couches or the static nature of faux and real leather, it’s no surprise that allergens can get stuck to a couch. However, some allergies can come from the couch itself, or it can be there from how it was made. If you suspect that you have an allergy, please consult a doctor. 

Pet Dander

Getting a used couch isn’t a bad idea, but if you have pet allergies, you’ll want to ask if the couch has been around animals with fur. Pet hair can get deep into a couch even after a little vacuuming. To mitigate this allergy, do a deep clean of your couch or get professional carpet cleaning.

Material

Similar to clothing, the material of your couch can range from leather to wool to polyester. Many people can become allergic to specific materials. Wool and polyester are common allergies, making them materials to avoid if you have this type of allergy. Materials such as leather, microfiber, or cotton are more hypoallergenic, but be sure to check with your doctor for a list of materials that you should be avoiding before getting a couch.

Sofa Dermatitis

Here, we have a very specific allergy: being allergic to your couch. More specifically, sofa dermatitis is an allergy to a chemical many couches are treated with in the production process. The chemical is called dimethyl fumarate, or DMF for short. While it is used to prevent mold from growing during the creation and shipping of the couch, it can also cause skin irritation and itchiness. Unfortunately, the US does not have regulations on the use of DMF and there isn’t a great way to identify if the chemical is being used in a couch you buy. After checking with your doctor to confirm this is an allergy you have, a deep or professional clean may help. However, it is not guaranteed to completely remove DMF from your couch. If you are still reacting to your couch, it may be time to look into a new couch or different place to sit.

Pests

Whether you’re bringing in a used couch or if you’ve recently been away, pests are a concern if your couch is making you start to itch. Our blog on the top 4 bugs found in your upholstery shows three of the ones that will attach to you, but we’ll highlight them here again along with an additional bug that is not as common. If you suspect bugs in your couch, professional upholstery cleaning is a good solution, but an exterminator may need to be called in extreme cases.

Fleas

If you have pets or if you got your couch from a home with pets, fleas may be what is causing your itch. These small bugs can quickly spread in your home if not taken care of right away, but are very difficult to spot. Check for fleas on pets if you have pets, in your carpets or rugs, and in the cracks of your flooring. For pets, look for dirt-like substances, called flea dirt, and small, dark bugs. A flea comb is especially helpful to run through their fur and see if anything is left on the comb. In your carpets, rugs, and floor cracks, use a magnifying glass to look for tiny, white, and round orbs low in the fibers. These are flea eggs, and they will need to be removed to get rid of the fleas. You can also perform a white sock test. Wearing completely white socks, scoot your feet across your floors, carpets, and furniture. If you have fleas, there is a good chance that they will show up on your socks. Be sure to vacuum every day until they are gone, get professional upholstery and carpet cleaning, or call an exterminator.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are notoriously difficult to identify because you can’t see them without a microscope. However, you’ll notice more respiratory symptoms than with other pests. Keep your humidity low to kill the dust mites and vacuum regularly to help clear them out. You can also check with your doctor to see if they can help identify if your home has dust mites.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are the largest bugs on this list, growing around five millimeters long. Look in the crevices of your couch cushions and mattress for flat, reddish-brown disks that resemble coffee grounds in your furniture. With bed bugs, you have to be careful to isolate them because they are hardy bugs that will travel if they feel threatened. If your couch has bed bugs, put each cushion in its own bag or enclose them in their own sheets with the treatment option you choose. For larger couches that can’t be easily isolated, it may be the time for an exterminator.

Scabies

While not as common as the other three, scabies is a type of pest that will make you itch. This is because it burrows under your skin. These mites are too small to see, but they are highly contagious through skin contact and will spread quickly if they are in your home. Look for small red bumps that are very itchy, especially at night. There can even be wavy, tunnel-like lines that connect the bumps in your skin. The good news is that they are easily treatable with medicated skin creams or oral medicine. Check with your doctor to see if they are the cause of your itchiness. For your couch, vacuum thoroughly and get high-heat professional cleaning. Scabies are killed in high temperatures or after 3 days away from a food source, humans and pets. 

If you encounter an itch from your couch, don’t take it lightly! A professional deep clean can help get your couch reset, be free of allergens, and be free of bugs. Give Lucas Family Carpet Cleaning a call to give your carpets and upholstery a fresh start to the winter.