Make the Most of Your Furniture by Keeping It Well-Maintained

The best way to get the most out of your furniture is to keep it well maintained, and since quality furniture is so expensive, it really is in your best interest to protect your investment. You should strive to keep your furniture in like-new condition, for as long as possible. This may not always be easy, especially with kids in the home, but you should still put forth the effort anyway.

For upholstered furniture, such as sofas and chairs, you should make certain that you vacuum it on a regular basis. You can use the hose attachment on your regular vacuum for this, or a small handheld vacuum may be easier to use. Remember that sunlight exposure can be harsh on those fabrics, especially darker colors, so try to keep the blinds closed on particularly bright days. Develop a no eating or drinking rule, so that you don’t have to worry about stains from spills, particularly soda or juice stains. If you have pets, you will have to work doubly hard to prevent stains. If you spot any tears or hanging threads, repair them right away, as these can easily become worse over time.

If you have any furniture that is made from leather, you can really expect to have to work hard to keep it in good repair. You will need to dust it at least one time a week, more often if you live in an area that is particularly dusty, such as on a dirt road, or next to field. Don’t allow the leather to get wet, and don’t use liquids when cleaning it, as this can damage it. Keep your leather furniture away from heat as well, don’t place it near a fireplace or heat vent, as this can severely damage your furniture in no time. Cigarette smoke can also be destructive to leather furniture, so if you smoke, you might want to think about doing so outside. Cuts are also very damaging to leather furniture, and usually cannot be repaired, so make certain that you keep any object that could cut away from the leather, especially children with scissors. Protect your leather furniture with an approved leather protectant product, and clean it with a professional leather cleaner every six months, more often if needed.

Solid wooden furniture is beautiful, but can also be damaged easily. Bumping into it with the vacuum cleaner, or sitting heavy, abrasive items on it can easily cause chips, dents, and scratches. You should also avoid putting hot objects on solid wooden furniture as well, as it can actually mar the surface or cause color changes. Cold or wet items, such as condensation from drinks, can do the same. If you have a wooden kitchen table, or other wooden furniture, you should invest in hot plates, coasters, etc., to protect the surface. If a spill should occur, make certain you clean it up promptly. To protect your wooden furniture, you should wax it often, and then make certain you keep it dusted and polished regularly.

Use these tips to help keep that furniture in great condition for years to come.

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