Give Your Furniture a Little Love
When you spend money on high quality furniture, you are making an investment in a piece that will last for years, perhaps even generations, to come.
Proper cleaning and maintenance protects your investment whether it is an upholstered piece, leather, or
fine wood furniture.
Industry leader, Charlie Saah, of
C & S Refinishing and Upholstery offers the following tips:
Upholstery
1. Vacuum weekly--dirt and dust rub on fabrics causing wear and tear.
2. Make sure to flip and rotate cushions weekly.
3. Spray on fabric protectors may be applied to the fabric by the mill or by the furniture manufacturer. Additionally, you may choose to apply your own spray-on fabric protector. Always spot check before using any cleaner or fabric protector.
4. Use arm caps made from the same fabric to protect chair and couch arms from dirt and oils that come from frequent contact with bare arms.
Leather
1. Never use furniture polish, dusting sprays, oils, or general spot cleaners on leather. Stick with products made specifically to clean leather.
2. Keep leather furniture away from heat and light, which may cause cracking, drying, and fading.
3. There are two types of leather: uncoated and coated. Each has different care and cleaning methods.
Uncoated leather breathes and does not repel liquids. Use an art eraser to rub away stains. Avoid any creams, soaps or cleansers as they may change the color and texture of uncoated leather. Coated leather, on the other hand, may benefit from being treated with leather creams or conditioners twice a year. Always spot test any product in a hidden area to make sure the product won't damage the leather.
Fine Wood Furniture
1. Protect table tops from spills, scrapes, water and heat damage by using coasters, trivets, placemats and padded tablecloths.
2. Keep wood furniture away from sources of heat or light. Don't place wood pieces directly over heat vents. Use window treatments to help keep UV rays from damaging furniture. And don't store fine furniture in unheated attics --constant changes in humidity and heat will cause warping.
3. Dust weekly with a lambs wool duster or microfiber cloth. Once a month, use a damp cotton cloth followed by a dry rub. Always follow the grain of the wood to avoid causing scratches. Avoid feather dusters as a broken quill may scratch the surface.
4. Avoid furniture sprays, polishes, oils, or waxes that contain silicone. Use a high quality furniture oil or cream twice a year to nourish the wood. But always check with manufacturer for suggested products.
If you have an antique that needs cleaning or a piece that has damage, call in a professional. Extra care needs to be taken to insure that the value of an antique isn't diminished by using a poor cleaning method. The team at C & S Refinishing knows the best methods for cleaning antiques to remove years of grime without damaging the patina.
