Home = safe place, in theory at least—a place where we rest, breathe, and recharge. What if, however, the furniture that gives us comfort winds up contributing to bad air quality and chronic allergy symptoms? For a lot of families, this reality is lurking in plain sight—smack in the middle of the living room, beneath the cushions of the cozy couch.

The sofa is a necessity in every home. That’s where so much of life happens: reading the favorite book on the sofa, hosting friends, telecommuting, or Friday-night family films. But whereas it’s so quick to wipe down hard surfaces, upholstered furniture quietly picks up allergens, dust, dander, germs, and other microorganisms along the way. And since this buildup occurs gradually, without warning, most of us have no idea just how much our couch is hurting our health, especially respiratory health.