Buying new furniture for your home is a big investment and a very important one. Choosing high-quality furniture that represents your sense of style and comfort makes your house a home more than any other purchase. Therefore, it’s important to think about how to preserve your furniture as soon as you bring it home.
Preserving your new furniture isn’t hard to do, but it does take a little forethought and planning from the very start. It’s harder to break bad habits than to develop good practices from the beginning. This is true just about any time and is certainly true when it comes to furniture preservation.
Begin the process by making sure the whole family is included in the planning to care for and preserve your furniture. Make a few simple rules and stick to them. If the whole family is involved, everyone can enjoy your furniture for years to come.
Your Furniture and Your Environment
Although you can’t control the weather and the sunlight, you can do your part to keep your furniture away from the conditions that cause your furniture to deteriorate faster. Your furniture has to endure a certain amount of wear and tear from use, but strategically placing furniture away from direct sunlight which causes fading and breaks down fabric will surely extend the life of your furniture.
Protect the Surfaces
The easiest thing to do is make a few simple rules to protect your surfaces and discuss the importance of preserving your new furniture with family members. To make it easier, consider these two tips:
- Provide coasters wherever someone might be tempted to set a glass
- Use padding underneath heavy objects such as vases or sculptures to avoid scratching and indentations
Clean Your Furniture Properly
Always read the labels and follow the manufacturer’s advice regarding the cleaning of your furniture. When you’re cleaning, be sure to watch out for the legs and areas of the furniture that can be bumped and damaged by the vacuum cleaner. This can cause major damage before you even realize it’s happening if you’re not especially careful.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Oils
There are great products on the market today to dust and clean your furniture without having to apply oils or chemical cleaners that can damage the outer layer of your wood furniture. Use magnetic dusting clothes to prevent buildup of common spray cleaners. Apply a good quality paste yearly to extend the rich luster of your wood furniture.
Move Your Furniture Carefully
Use common sense if your furniture has to be moved. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor and always support the center of gravity. This is particularly important with heavy pieces such as living room and bedroom furniture. Lift chairs from the top, not the arms. If your furniture has to be moved away from the home, but sure to use protective padding to avoid unnecessary scratches and dents.
Furniture Preservation Made Simple
If you follow these few simple rules for furniture preservation from the start, you can protect your furniture and allow it to become precious heirlooms for your own children and grandchildren to enjoy for generations. Practical care and treatment will result in beautiful preserved furniture that continues to look like new!
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Tags: Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture
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October 23rd, 2007 at 11:07 am
Are there any particular products you would recommend for cleaning or polishing wood furniture?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Hello Alley,
Today, more than ever, there are many options for cleaning and polishing wood furniture. While many homeowners swear by old favorites like Murphy’s Oil Soap and Pledge, there are new products just for wood furniture appearing on store shelves every day. You can even find some eco-friendly wood cleaners, too.
But don’t think that anything goes. You should stay away from water, harsh chemicals or abrasive products. Although many people might not realize it, waxes create build-up on furniture and do nothing to clean the wood. No matter which product you choose, you shouldn’t mix two or more together. This can cause reactions that are damaging to furniture – not to mention, it creates toxic fumes.
Still overwhelmed by all the choices? Ask your manufacturer for recommendations for your furniture.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:57 am
What would be your best recommendations for protecting and keeping upholstered furniture clean?
October 29th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Hello Diane,
That’s a common question for a lot of homeowners.
Because each fabric requires different maintenance, it’s best to see what your manufacturer recommends for your upholstered furniture. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you may end up voiding your warranty.
You might come across the following codes for cleaning used in the upholstery industry:
W – Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. Spot clean with a water-based cleaner (mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo). Apply foam with a circular motion and a soft brush. Spot test in an unobtrusive area.
S – Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. Spot clean with water-free solvent or dry-cleaning solution. Spot test in an unobtrusive area.
WS – Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. Spot clean with a mild solvent, upholstery shampoo or with the foam from a water-based cleaner. Spot test in an unobtrusive area.
X – Clean only by vacuuming and light dusting, as cleaners may cause shrinking, stains or disrupt the surface appearance.
In addition, here are some general maintenance guidelines to keep in mind to keep your upholstered furniture looking good for years to come:
If you have armrest and headrest covers, use them. They prevent soiling on furniture, and are easy to clean. Just clean them once every three months.
Flip and rearrange pillows and removable cushions regularly to help them wear more evenly and last longer.
If possible, place upholstered furniture away from direct sunlight to minimize fading.
When you’re painting or doing any other kind of dusty work in a room, cover upholstered furniture.
Don’t toss newspapers, magazines or other printed material onto upholstered furniture. The ink can transfer onto fabric.
Be careful with nail polish and remover, which can cause permanent damage to fabric, as well as cigarettes, candles and other open flames.
Dried spills are difficult to remove – make sure to catch and blot spills quickly.
As a reminder, the most important tip is to consult your manufacturer for cleaning recommendations.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Great Blog! Really enjoyed the last post, full of handy tips and interesting comments!