Furniture Care 101: Maintaining the Beauty of Your Investment

Investing in quality furniture is about more than just aesthetics – it’s also about comfort and functionality in your home. Whether it’s a plush sofa, an elegant dining set, or a timeless accent piece; with the right maintenance, your furniture can reflect your taste and style for years to come. Learn how to prepare your furniture to withstand the test of time through maintaining the beauty of your investment.

Know Your Furniture’s Materials

Understanding the materials used in your furniture’s construction is essential in determining the best cleaning methods. Whether it’s wood, leather, fabric, or metal – each requires different care. Make sure you know your furniture and everything used to create it before attempting to clean or condition it.

Create a Cleaning Routine

Life is full of spills, dust, dirt, and stains – but these don’t have to be permanent fixtures on your furniture. Establishing a cleaning routine will help minimize the appearance of everyday mishaps and aging. Start by making a weekly habit of dusting solid pieces with a soft microfiber cloth, and vacuuming upholstered furniture with a brush attachment. Remove stains as needed according to your furniture’s fabric type, and condition wood regularly to maintain its luster.

Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat Exposure

Unfiltered sunlight can cause upholstery fabrics to fade, and can cause warping and cracking in some furniture finishes. Use blinds or curtains to shield your furniture from the sun, or position pieces away from windows. And, always avoid placing hot items directly on your furniture to prevent damage from heat exposure. Coasters, placemats, tablecloths, and trivets can be used to protect your furniture’s finish from heat, along with condensation, spills, and scratches.

Keep an Eye on Humidity Levels

Frequent or wide fluctuations in humidity levels can adversely affect wood and leather, causing them to expand and contract. This movement over time can lead to warping and cracking. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier in your home as needed to maintain optimal and more consistent humidity levels – especially during seasons of extreme weather.

Treat Spills and Stains Right Away

Accidents happen, but prompt attention can prevent permanent damage to your furniture. Blot up spills as soon as they occur with a clean, absorbent cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing spills and stains, as this may cause them to spread further into the fabric or finish. Use a mild detergent in accordance with your furniture’s labeling or materials. Test in an inconspicuous area to make sure discoloration doesn’t occur before using it on the entire stain.

Rotate and Rearrange

To prevent uneven wear, periodically rotate cushions, pillows, and mattresses. Rearrange throw pillows, blankets, or other accent items to invite sitting in less-frequented seats. Not only will this extend the life of your furniture, but it will also keep your room looking fresh and inviting.

Professional Maintenance

For complex repairs, refinishing, restoration, or stubborn stain removal, it’s best to hire a professional that has experience with the type of furniture needing attention. They’ll have the expertise, tools, and techniques necessary to repair damage to delicate pieces. Restoration specialists are also an excellent resource for advice on keeping your investments looking their best.

Pieces with Purpose with Furniture Source International

At Furniture Source International, the unmatched quality of our traditionally crafted furniture is designed to last a lifetime. Antique and reclaimed hardwoods, hand forged iron hardware, and other natural, honest materials are used to create unique pieces that break the mold of mundane particle board furniture sets. Invest in lasting quality, and learn how to care for these timeless pieces from our team of knowledgeable experts to keep them looking their best throughout the decades.