Experts Weigh In As Viral Blue Sofa Divides The Internet

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One TikTok user's find has left the internet divided.

When a TikTok user thrifted a sofa from the streets of New York, little did she know her video would go viral and leave the internet divided.

Amanda Joy (@yafavv.mandaa) believed she hit the jackpot when she stumbled upon a trendy blue bubble sofa, thought to be worth $8,000 (£6,400), while walking in the city. She took her luxe find home, steam cleaned it, and added it into her living room, swapping out her simple cream couch for the statement piece.

When her video went viral on TikTok, a hot debate began and the memes started rolling in as people questioned if it's really safe to bring unwanted furniture items from the street into your home.

Now, the experts at Sofabed are weighing in on the debate, revealing what you need to consider when taking in unwanted items that have been discarded outside.

'It can be hazardous to take soft furniture in from the street for many reasons,' the team at Sofabed say. This is because they can become infested with pests, such as bed bugs, and spread diseases or cause allergic reactions.

'They can also become contaminated with germs and bacteria that lead to respiratory and skin infections,' they add.

In Amanda's case, she got lucky and because she stumbled across the sofa when it had been outside for less than 24 hours, the risk of contamination was much lower.

'She also took the right precautions by cleaning the sofa with soap, water and a steam vacuum,' the experts add. 'Steam vacuums help to rigorously break down grime from the sofa and remove harmful microbes like bacteria from the surface. However, she [Amanda] stated it was raining when she found the sofa, which can significantly shorten its lifespan, make it more prone to wear and tear, and generally be uncomfortable to sit on.'

If you do come across furniture on the street with a sign indicating it's 'free to a good home' or going to the bin, don't be put off just yet. There are steps you can take to clean secondhand items – and transform them into pieces you'll use in your home for years to come.

1. Thoroughly inspect the sofa

The Sofabed team explain: 'While the TikTok user inspected for tears and rips in the fabric, she also should have checked for signs of pests and contamination. Look for signs of discolouration and foul odours that may indicate mould. Meanwhile, small brown or black spots could be faecal matter and small white spots could be bed bug eggs.'

2. Hire a professional cleaner

The Sofabed team explain: 'Professional cleaners will ensure that the sofa is completely free of dirt, debris and germs through a variety of methods,' the experts say. 'They will use a powerful upholstery vacuum to clean off the initial dirt and debris before using a steam cleaner to remove deep-seated grime and stains. They may also use chemical cleaners to remove tough stains which will have your furniture smelling fresh and brand new.'

See Amanda's couch update below:

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Ciara McGinley is a freelance journalist, editor and mindfulness meditation practitioner. She covers health, wellbeing and lifestyle topics for her favourite women's lifestyle publications. She's all about betting that mind-body connection, and takes her self-care and night-time routine very seriously... When she's not writing or teaching meditation, you'll find her trying out the latest wellness trend, escaping London for a hiking weekend or eyeing up pieces for her capsule wardrobe.

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