You spend a lot of money on your furniture, a lot of time picking it out, and a lot of effort making sure it fits into your home's decor. Therefore, it's important to make sure that you care for your investment to keep it looking great and lasting well into the future. Here are a few tips that will keep your furniture looking new.
Wood
The furniture you have in your home can be made from a variety of woods, from soft wood such as pine to hard woods like oak and cherry. Regardless of the type of wood your furniture is made of, it's important to take care of it. Remove dust and dirt buildup on a regular basis to prevent surface scratches and dullness. Simply wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with water or an oil soap. You should also wipe away any fingerprints and smoke residue from cigarettes or cooking with a wood polish or mild detergent solution to maintain the wood's luster.
Take care to prevent marking or staining your furniture by being careful with what you place on it. Liquids, crayons, ink pens, and candles can all leave unwanted marks on your wood furniture. You will want to clean up spills promptly to avoid potential problems. Excessive and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures, and high humidity can cause damage to both the wood and the finish. You will want to keep your furniture away from heating vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, and windows that get a lot of sunlight. If your furniture gets dry, you can oil, paint, or stain it to restore its luster.
Leather
Leather furniture is known to be durable and strong. It can stand up to pets and kids, but it still needs to be maintained. Leather furniture is easier to care for than other types of fabrics because it doesn't hold onto pet hair and dirt. However, the surface should be occasionally vacuumed to remove any debris. You should also wipe the surface with a barely moist cloth to get rid of body oils, lotions, or sweat that the leather has absorbed. Avoid soaps and detergents because they can damage the leather. Clean up spills promptly with a soft terry cloth or paper towels. This will help prevent stains from setting.
Fabric
When cleaning and caring for your fabric furniture, it is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions either on the tag or the accompanying manual. Fabrics can be cleaned with water or solvent-based cleaners. Some manufacturers recommend their furniture be cleaned only with a vacuum. Whichever way you clean, it's best not to let stains sit for long because they become harder to remove with time. Periodically remove any dust and debris with your vacuum cleaner. You should vacuum on and between the cushions and pillows. If you can remove the cushion and pillow covers, and dirt is severe, take them off for easier cleaning. If you use a steam cleaner on tough stains, make sure you follow the instructions for the upholstery attachment, and let the furniture dry completely.
Marble
Marble tabletops and countertops are beautiful and durable, but the natural stone can be soft and porous. This makes marble susceptible to etching, pitting, cracking, and staining. Daily cleaning will prevent staining and dust collection. Clean up spills right away, especially juice, coffee, tea, wine, and vinegar. In the bathroom, wipe up toothpaste and hair dye before they stain. Some marble surfaces benefit from a sealant to prevent damage, but you should always follow the manufacturer's recommendation for frequency and types of sealant. Use a polishing powder when the surface starts to lose its shine.
Glass
Wipe your glass tables clean daily with a damp cloth to prevent dust and debris buildup. To remove grease, fingerprints, and sticky spills, you can use a commercial glass cleaner or a vinegar and water solution. A napkin or coaster will go a long way to preventing messes and to keeping your glass surfaces shining. Be careful when placing heavy or sharp objects on the surface to avoid cracks, scratches, or nicks. Remove small or superficial scratches before they turn into bigger problems.
Rattan
Used to make wicker furniture, rattan is lightweight and can stand up to extreme temperatures and humidity. To preserve the natural color and strength, clean the rattan periodically with a cloth and mild detergent solution to remove dirt and debris. You should keep your furniture out of the rain or, preferably, indoors. Even though rattan can withstand high humidity, it is not considered an outdoor furniture material. You can treat cracked and splitting rattan with linseed oil.
Faux Leather
Unlike real leather surfaces, faux leather can be regularly cleaned with mild soap and water. This solution is perfect for getting rid of water-soluble stains like wine, coffee, and juice. Remove non-water-soluble stains, such as oil and lotion, with isopropyl alcohol diluted with water. Regardless of what you use to clean your faux leather, be sure to remove any cleaning residue and to wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth. It's best to keep your furniture away from direct sunlight to prevent it from cracking, fading, and becoming brittle.
Stainless Steel
With routine daily cleaning, a stainless steel surface is easy to maintain and to keep looking like new. For everyday dirt and spills, wipe on a mild soap-and-water solution with a soft cloth or sponge. For hardened or caked-on spills, you can use a mild abrasive cleaner or a mildly abrasive sponge, but avoid harsh substances that can scratch your surface. If in doubt, look for cleaners that are specifically designed to clean stainless steel.
Plastic
The first step in protecting your outdoor plastic tables and chairs should be to cover them. When you need to clean your furniture, use a hose to remove any dirt and dust. A mild soap-and-water solution applied with a nylon scrub pad will remove any grime and stuck-on food. Don't use harsh cleaning solvents because they can soften and damage the plastic. When all else fails, you can repaint your furniture to restore its original color and shine.
Everyday life will eventually show up as wear and tear on your home and its furnishings. But, with a little time and effort, you can keep your furniture looking almost like it did the day you bought it.
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