Furniture can be expensive these days, but regardless of its worth, it’s still an investment and should be looked after in order to keep it looking great and prolonging its life. Of course, when caring for any furniture, you should take heed of the cleaning instructions, particularly if it’s constructed from leather or upholstery. However, there are a number of simple rules you can follow to help keep it in top-top shape. Here are some easy tips on caring for indoor furniture.
Timber
When cleaning timber furniture, the number one rule is to avoid using water. Wood is porous so applying water can make timber swell. It can also damage many types of finishes, which is often seen in those annoying telltale rings from wet cups you have placed on your wooden desk!
Cleaners, furniture oils and oil polishes can protect wood to some degree, however they don’t offer a hard, protective layer and will probably show up fingerprints. Olive oil is a definite no-no as it can smear and attract dust.
When caring for timber furniture, some protection can be gained from using spray and liquid furniture polishes because they usually contain silicone oil, however your best option is using wax. Wax products can protect the manufacturer’s finish and reduce surface scratches, and they offer longer lasting protection. Simply apply it in light coats and rub into the surface with the grain. Allow to dry and then buff your furniture to a shine with a soft cloth.
Leather
There is nothing better than lounging back into a super-comfy leather sofa. However, one of the downsides to leather is that it does tend to show up scuff marks and minor scratches and suffer from general wear and tear. In terms of caring for leather furniture, you should avoid alkaline products, including bleach, ammonia, dishwashing liquids and hand and body soap.
Quality leather conditioners are ideal for fixing minor scratches from cutlery, pets, or sharp objects like pens and scissors. Simply apply with a soft clean cloth, massage into the damaged areas, and wipe away the excess.
While some leather furniture repairs like holes, tears and punctures can be done yourself with a leather repair kit, if you notice tears or deep scratches, you’ll need the help of a leather repair expert. Poorly mended furniture can easily rip or tear again, and it can be worse the second time around. Leather repair experts know what works for particular scenarios, plus they have all the tools they need to have your leather furniture looking as good as new!
Upholstery
In terms of cleaning indoor furniture, a good rule to always follow is to remove stains immediately if you can. This is particularly the case when it comes to upholstery, as it will stop stains and spills from completely soaking into the fabric. When dealing with coffee, wine or food, immediately dab (don’t rub!) the stain with a paper towel then treat with distilled water.
If you discover a mud stain, let it dry, brush the remains off with a fabric brush, and then use a damp cloth and some fabric cleaner (that’s pH balanced not bleach-based!) to get rid of the stain. Leave to dry and then blot with a paper towel.
Still can’t remove that dreaded stain from your timber, leather or upholstered furniture? Then it’s time to call in the experts!
If you have any questions, you should contact the experts at Lounge Repair Guys. They will be able to address your queries with expertise and authority, so you get the answers you need when you need them!
