Most people spend a good amount of money on furniture, so it makes sense to care for it in a way that will ensure it lasts a long time and looks new for years to come.
Upholstery Care
Maintaining clean
and beautiful upholstery may seem tricky, but there are things you can do on a
regular basis that don’t take up a lot of time and will keep all your fabrics
in good condition. First of all, make sure you fluff and rotate seat cushions
on a daily basis so that they wear evenly. Also remember to vacuum upholstered
furniture with an upholstery brush as often as you can.
To get rid of ugly
stains, you’ll have to do some spot cleaning. No matter what cleaner you end up
using, always spot test it before applying to the affected area. Simply turn
over an unexposed section of the fabric (the bottom of a chair, for example) to
ensure the product doesn’t permanently ruin the material.
For badly soiled
upholstery (wine stains), you might want to call in the experts. The same goes
for light-coloured furniture and high-end pieces. Some other tips: don’t wash
movable pieces, such as cushion covers, as extra washing may cause the colour
to fade. Keep dark fabrics, and silk, out of direct sunlight to avoid fading as
well.
If you really want
to make your life easy, purchase furniture with built-in Teflon protection to
guard against spills. On this type of fabric, instead of soaking into the
material, liquid beads up and can be wiped away on contact with a damp cloth.
If you buy traditional fabric furniture, consider Scotch Guarding to help your
pieces withstand stains.
Wood Furniture
Dust wood pieces
using a soft, slightly damp cloth run under lukewarm water. Dry the surface
after wiping to avoid bubbling, which can lead to cracking down the road.
To maintain the
wood’s lustrous beauty, wax or polish it once a year, but avoid chemical
products. A mild product such as Murphy’s Oil Soap is safe to use, but stay
away from silicone-based cleaners. Although wood polish is usually a good
thing, make sure to use wax polishes that are vegetable-based – paraffin and
beeswax also work well. Apply using a soft cloth with the grain of the wood,
and then buff. Never use window cleaners on wooden furniture, as most of them
contain ammonia, which can damage the finish.
If you want to get
rid of unsightly nicks and scratches, a wax scratch remover stick should do the
trick, or you can use a colour-matching furniture polish. Dents can be hidden
using specialized wood cleaners that raise the wood grain.
Finally, place wood
furniture away from direct sunlight and heating vents, to avoid discoloration
of the wood.
If you follow these
simple tips, your furniture will continue to look beautiful throughout the
years.
Comments