Regardless of what material was used for your furniture, proper cleaning will help them to stay longer. Therefore, you need to follow a specific cleaning schedule and plan.
Furniture care tips
Safeguard your furniture from damage
Furniture is made from various materials such as wood, glass, plastics, metals, fiberglass and upholstery (leather or fabric). Since most furniture is a combination of these materials, it is essential to consider the types of materials used before you start on a maintenance scheme. Let us take the case of a coffee table that mixes wood and glass or metal and glass materials. The type of wood used for wooden furniture is likewise varied. Some are finished while some are unfinished. Others may have a veneer or lacquer finish while other wooden furniture finish includes some elements such as stain, paint, resin and non-wood laminates.
This clearly shows that incorporating safety guidelines is not the only thing that matters. Cleaning methods will always depend on the materials used. This involves knowing the proper cleaning tool and product fitted for the particular material. It is also imperative to check on the components of the cleaning product you are buying to ensure that it does not contain any harmful chemicals that can cause the deterioration of your furniture.
Incorporate dusting and vacuuming in your cleaning technique
Schedule your dusting once in a week. Dust and dirt build up happens quickly. If these were left unattended, they get stuck onto the surfaces and crevices of the furniture making them harder to remove. A soft cloth or fabric would be ideal to use but change the cloth when it gets so dirty. Do not use a dirty cloth to clean another piece of furniture, as you will only make it dirtier.
Upholstered furniture like leather or fiber must be vacuumed on a weekly basis. The vacuum is a good cleaning equipment to reach the dirt and dust that has accumulated between the crevices, sides and corners of your furniture. Take extra care not to harm the material by using the soft brush attachment of the vacuum. Give extra attention to the curves of the furniture as well as the areas behind and under the cushions.
Turn over the cushions on a weekly basis, which can be done right after you have vacuumed them. This will beef up any wobbly cushions and pillows. Turning over the cushions and pillows will make them look even, comfortable and always looking fresh and new.
Wax your wooden furniture to keep their shine and luster. Use wood wax as much as possible. Make sure that you apply only a thin layer and let it dry before wiping it again with a clean cloth.
Use a table runner for your coffee and dining tables. You can also cover your bedside table with a table runner.
To safeguard your sofas and chairs from spills, you can cover it with a seat cover or blanket.
To avoid marks caused by cold or heat, use coasters or saucers for glasses, cups and mugs.
Always ensure that you use the appropriate cleaning product.
Modern furniture manufacturers have included cleaning manuals to assist customers in the proper method of maintaining their furniture. Thus, you only need to follow these strictly to keep your pieces of furniture longer and new.