Tips On Caring For The Furniture You Do Have

Gistpeeps

CARING FOR LEATHER FURNITURE

Dust leather with a soft cloth frequently. A handheld vacuum cleaner is even better to suck out the dust that accumulate in the pleats, nooks and crevices of leather furniture. Alternately, a stiff paintbrush will do the job as well.

Inspect your furniture regularly and if you notice dark patches on the elbow and head rests, it is staining due to excess oil. Weekly cleaning of entire suite with a soft cloth slightly dampened with warm water will prevent this but if you already have these stains,  please seek professional advice.



Do not wash leather furniture with soapy water unless you test an invisible patch first. If the leather absorbs the water then it is not waterproof, but if it does not then here’s how to do it. Mix some dish washing liquid and warm water in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray your furniture section by section and then wipe off solution with a soft cloth, until you have covered the entire piece. Afterwards go over it again with another dry soft cloth. I know you may think this is tedious, but considering how much leather suites cost these days, it is well worth it.

Don’t expose or place your leather furniture to excess sunlight. This causes it to fade in patchy way and often times it will crack.

Clean up spills as soon as they occur. If the stain has been there for a while, you could try storagebought leather cleaner but please read the instructions carefully. Sweat should also be cleaned as possible as this too can leave visible stains

CARING FOR WOODEN FURNITURE

Try and find out about the type of wood your pieces are made from (Mahogany, Teak e.t.c) as some woods have natural oils in them and will need less oil or wax based cleaners than some others.

Try and dust furniture everyday and if your piece has grooves like the stool shown, then use a paintbrush or vacuum cleaner as illustrated above.

Don’t allow any liquid to remain on a wooden surface as this will cause staining. Wipe any spills up immediately. Using mats and coasters prevents this as well.

Keep wood away from strong sunlight as this can cause fading and drying out which eventually can cause the wood to split.

Be careful when dusting furniture that has other decorative pieces such as vases; Lift objects as shifting them as might result in scratching.

Use store bought sprayers sparingly as too much waxy build up caused by layers of it can cause the furniture to become dull. If this happens, then buy a good quality wood cleaners, or alternatively make your own using 2 parts olive oil mixed with 1 part white vinegar or lemon juice. Apply with a soft cloth and them wipe it clean.

Consider sanding down and re-polishing every 3 years or so, but only if you know a very good carpenter. If it is an heirloom like mine, I suggest he does it in your presence.

CARING FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

Choose your upholstered furniture carefully, if you have young children stay away from fabric with raised patterns as these can easily snag or pull threads, which can quickly make that piece look unsightly. Also go for darker colours as these are less likely to show staining in a hurry.

Clean up any spills up immediately with a damp cloth. If the stain has set, try using warm soapy water.

Consider store bought upholstery cleaners if the stains are resistant, but be sure to read all instructions first. Do a test on a hidden corner as some of these products can contain bleach.

Don’t be tempted to wash your cushions even if it has a zip on it because most fabrics will shrink. If the staining is quite bad or the fabric is dirty overall, I advice calling in the professionals.

Turn over loose pads or cushions once in a while as this helps distribute the wear. Also if you have a “Favourite” seat, swap the cushion with that of a seat that is not so heavily used.

Consider buying extra fabric to keep if your furniture is specially made. This way if parts of it can’t come clean again then you have the option of re-upholstering that portion or piece.

Invest in a vacuum cleaner and go over your furniture once a month. Prevention and preservation can go a long way in keeping your suite in tip-top condition.


Be vigilant for the elbow and head stains I mentioned earlier as they soon attract dirt. Sprinkle some baking soda on the stain, leave it overnight and vacuum or brush off the next day.

I do hope these tips will help in keeping your various furniture in ship. I did not mention tips for glass, wrought iron and marble as these are a bit more straight forward