Keeping Your Furniture Beautiful
There are several steps you can take to preserve your upholstered furniture. The first is to clean the furniture on a weekly basis vacuuming both the cushions and under them. To prevent upholstery from becoming wrinkled or flattened you should fluff and rotate the cushions regularly to help slow wear and to ensure that any wear is uniform.
Keep upholstered items out of direct sunlight when possible to avoid fading. If the upholstery is near a window then use curtains or blinds to keep the sun’s damaging rays off your furniture. It is also important to keep your upholstery away from extreme heat or cold. Heat is especially bad for upholstery because it causes the fabric to become brittle and more prone to wear and tear. Extreme humidity or dryness can also be harmful to fabrics because of the damage it can do to the upholstery.
When cleaning upholstery you should follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s tag. The tag uses codes to tell you what cleaning methods are recommended. As with most spills it is important to clean them as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting.
One of the best ways to take care of your upholstered furniture is to purchase a protection plan. It picks up where the manufacturer’s warranty leaves off. A manufacturer’s warranty is against defects, but a protection plan can help you take care of accidental stains and damage. Some exclusions may apply, but a protection plan will help ensure the value of your investment.
Leather products are actually quite simple to care for. First, leather should not be placed in direct sunlight. Like wood, leather can fade and could possibly stiffen from heat exposure. Secondly, because of leather’s tendency to absorb other dyes, avoid placing printed materials on leather as the ink can transfer and leave a stain. Third, simple care will keep your leather looking wonderful. Use a clean white cloth to dust every week or two to prevent buildup of regular household soil. If any soil does accumulate, use a damp, soft white cloth to wipe the leather surface clean. But before you apply any moisture to the leather, be sure to place a few drops of water in an inconspicuous spot to make sure the leather doesn’t absorb it. If the leather does absorb water use only dry cloths. The final step in caring for your leather furniture is to clean every 5-6 months with a mild leather cleaner, made specifically for leather. After cleaning apply a protective leather cream to keep it soft and supple.
To insure your leather furniture’s long life, consider purchasing a protection plan. It picks up where the manufacturer’s warranty stops.
Wood Furniture
There are several outside influences that you should be aware of and try to avoid. One of the biggest is the sun. Constant exposure to direct sunlight can cause a wooden object to lose color over time. Dark woods will often bleach while lighter colors may darken. The color of the wood isn’t all that is affected by the sun’s rays, the finish on the wood may begin to crack or peel because of damage to the molecules that hold the finish together. In general this means you don’t want your wooden furniture in the direct sunlight. If it can’t be avoided then the best steps you can take are placing blinds or curtains in the nearby windows.
Another important issue is changing temperature. Over time wood can warp if exposed to extreme temperature changes, so make sure you aren’t placing any wooden furniture over floor or wall vents. The air from the heating and air conditioning will damage it over time.
Some rubber lamps bases, cords and some plastics can harm the finish of a piece if left in place for an extended period of time. The best solution is to place a piece of felt or leather between the object and the surface to lessen the chance of damage.
The finish on a wood will affect how likely it is to be harmed by liquids. You should always use a coaster or other insulator between your glass and the wooden surface because water can leave white marks or cause damage to the finish that has to be professionally repaired.
*A helpful tip: if you find that drawers become difficult to open over time, remove the drawer and rub a candle along the glides. The wax from the candle will cause the drawer to slide more easily.
If you do get any liquids on your furniture it’s important to clean them up immediately. You should wipe the piece with a clean cloth plus mild soap and water, then use another clean damp cloth, followed by a third dry clean cloth. Always make sure to rub with the grain of the wood.
Regular dusting is a must.
Any minor damage such as scratches or marks can be touched up with touch up sticks or scratch removers that can be found in many furniture or hardware stores.
Custom Table Pads are the best way to protect fine wood against heat, spills, and scratches. See store for details.