As a leading waste management company, the team at Waste Managed know a thing or two about everyday waste.
This is why we surveyed 2,000 people across the UK to uncover the items most often lost in sofas.
Topping the list are the usual suspects: pens and pencils, with nearly half (48%) of respondents admitting to finding these writing implements down the side of their sofas. Money and foreign currency come in at a close second (46%), while leftover food takes the third spot (30%).
Here’s a look at the top 10 items Brits commonly find in their sofas:
1. Pens or Pencils – 48%
2. Money or Foreign Currency – 46%
3. Leftover Food – 30%
4. Receipts or Tickets – 27%
5. Missing Remote or Game Controller – 25%
6. Children’s Toys – 24%
7. Pieces of Clothing (like socks, underwear, or hairbands) – 24%
8. Keys – 19%
9. Jewellery – 18%
10. Mobile Phones (current or old) – 14%
The Strange and the Bizarre – Unexpected Finds
While these items might not surprise you, some Brits have uncovered truly strange and sometimes embarrassing things in their sofas.
Among the oddest discoveries were a dead squirrel, a dehydrated mouse, and even a sex toy. And if you think that’s bad, imagine finding your family cat nestled between the cushions!
The Sofa Cleaning Conundrum
Despite the treasures (and horrors) hidden in our sofas, many of us aren’t as diligent about cleaning them as we should be. The survey found that only a small percentage of Brits are cleaning their sofas regularly:
- 3% clean their sofas daily
- 17% tackle the task weekly
- 12% do it fortnightly
- 27% manage a monthly clean
- 13% give it an annual once-over
- And a surprising 7% clean their sofa less often than once a year
Expert Tips: How to Keep Your Sofa Spotless
To help you avoid the dreaded sofa surprise, we teamed up with cleaning expert Nicola Rodriguez, who runs the popular Instagram account Essex House Dolly. Nicola shares her thoughts on why it’s essential to clean your sofa regularly and offers her top tips for keeping it spotless.
“The research from Waste Managed highlights how often we neglect cleaning our sofas and some of the weird and wonderful things that can be found in them. One of the strangest things I’ve ever discovered deep in a sofa was dried-up contact lenses— a client used to flick them behind the sofa every time he felt sleepy! And don’t even get me started on the pet hair,” Nicola shared.
Here are Nicola’s top tips for a cleaner, fresher sofa:
- Skip the Hoover: Instead of reaching for the vacuum first, use a lint roller or scraper tool to tackle stubborn bits in the cushions.
- Daily Freshen-Up: Keep your sofa smelling fresh with a daily spritz of fabric spray.
- Protect with Throws: If you have kids or pets, throws are your sofa’s best friend. They catch spills and are easy to toss in the wash.
Waste Managed Top Sofa Cleaning Tips
Our very own, Sustainability Expert, Steve Traviss, also offers some practical advice to help keep your sofa clean and free from hidden horrors:
- Regularly Vacuum: Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to reach between cushions and crevices, staying on top of crumbs, dust, and pet hair.
- Check and Clean Under Cushions: Make it a habit to remove the cushions and clean underneath them weekly to prevent buildup.
- Spot Clean Stains Immediately: Tackle spills and stains quickly with a suitable cleaning solution to prevent them from setting into the fabric.
- Deep Clean Quarterly: If you can’t manage a weekly clean, aim to give your sofa a deep clean every three months. Consider using a steam cleaner or professional upholstery service.
- Rotate and Fluff Cushions: Regularly rotate your cushions to distribute wear evenly and keep them looking and feeling their best.
Your sofa is a central part of your home, so why not give it the care it deserves? With a little effort, you can ensure it remains a comfortable and clean space—free from hidden surprises.
