In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the simplest themes to consider when it comes to caring for the furniture in your home. Proper maintenance of your furniture can increase its useful lifespan and aesthetic benefits in major ways, saving you money while also keeping your home attractive and comfortable.
At Guild Hall Furniture & Interior Design Center, we’re here to offer a huge range of home furnishing items, including bedroom furniture, dining room furniture and numerous other options — but that’s not the extent of our services. We also offer interior design assistance, plus all the expertise you need on proper care and maintenance of any piece you purchase from us. Today’s part two of our series will go over a few additional areas to keep a close eye on as you perform standard upkeep on your home’s furniture.
Fabric Upholstery
Fabrics are some of the most common and important materials used on furniture, and they come in a seemingly infinite variety of colors, patterns, and styles. But while they might look different on the surface, most upholstery fabrics actually share a few key characteristics that will affect how you care for them.
First and foremost among these is that most fabrics are relatively delicate when compared to other materials like wood or metal. This means that you’ll need to take care not to damage them when cleaning — which we’ll touch on in a bit. In addition, many fabrics are also susceptible to fading if they’re left in direct sunlight for too long.
Some important fabric and upholstery maintenance themes to consider:
- Regular vacuuming: By running the vacuum over your furniture on a weekly basis, you can remove a significant amount of dirt and dust that would otherwise end up working its way deep into the fabric.
- Spot cleaning: When spills or other accidents happen, it’s important to take care of them as quickly as possible. The longer a stain sits, the more difficult it will be to clean, so get to it in a hurry.
- Slipcover usage: If your furniture features removable slipcovers, taking them off and washing them on a semi-regular basis is a great way to keep the fabric looking and feeling fresh.
Leather Furniture
Finally, if you have true leather furniture — as opposed to upholstery made to look like leather — there are a few special considerations to keep in mind.
For one thing, you’ll need to be extra careful about spills, as leather is notoriously difficult to clean once it’s been stained. In addition, you should avoid placing leather furniture in direct sunlight, as this can cause the material to dry out and crack over time.
When it comes to cleaning leather, special care must be taken to avoid damaging the material. You’ll want to use a soft, microfiber cloth when dusting, and only use cleaners specifically designed for leather when it comes time to give the piece a more thorough cleaning.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this two-part series on furniture care tips. Be sure to check back soon for more helpful guides from Guild Hall Home Furnishings — or to contact our pros if you need assistance with any home furniture, interior design or related needs.