Easy Ways to Improve the Look and Longevity of Your Home Furniture

Who doesn’t long for relaxation in comfortable furniture after a busy day or on a lazy Sunday morning?! Whether talking about living room furniture, dining room furniture, or furniture in your bedroom, unwinding in its comfort while enjoying its beauty is what it’s all about.

But, comfort can also be in the form of low maintenance as getting furniture that’s easy to care for gives you more time to spend on leisure and less on cleaning and maintenance. So, on your next home furniture shopping adventure, it’s essential to take this crucial aspect into consideration too regardless of the type or room it’s meant for. 

Ways to Keep It Clean

Whether you plan on investing in stylish home furniture for the entryway, a fancy and modern-looking living room sofa or a comfy and captivating dining room table set, keeping them clean will make all the difference. Having a clean décor will make your abode more inviting, and at the same time it will also improve your health which is even more important. 

Clean It Regularly

Did you know that the so called small spills and dirt can do significant damage to your furniture if left untreated?! Practice shows that, over time, the dirt buildup and product spills can reduce the quality of your material and lead to its deterioration. The appearance of old and stained look is inevitable, which will make it unsightly.

Not to mention that spills are a breeding ground for bacteria if left untreated, which can easily put your health at risk. To avoid all of this you should clean your furniture routinely and thoroughly, as this can certainly improve your health and the furniture’s appearance and longevity. For this purpose, you should dust and wipe all furniture surfaces at least twice a week (if not daily) to reduce exposure to dust and dirt. 

Just keep in mind to use furniture-appropriate cleaners to keep their condition at the perfect state. Upholstered furniture pieces require vacuuming at least once a week to reduce dust and static, much like delicate materials like rattan. In case of static, you can buy a special anti-static product in the form of a spray, or you can try wiping it down with a clean wet cloth in water/fabric softener solution. 

Clean Spills Immediately

While cleaning the furnishing regularly is paramount, you really shouldn’t forget about cleaning the spills immediately. Whether you or your child enjoys having snacks and drinks in bed, on the sofa or on the dining table, spills and even spit-ups are quite common, so cleaning them immediately is paramount for preventing bacteria growth and permanent damage to the furnishing.

In such cases, you should take a wet and clean cloth and blot the fabric. Apply cleaning solution on the cloth and not on the furnishing and start blotting and not rubbing the area. This will help you to clean the surface easily and faster. Once done, blot with a clean wet cloth, blot again with a dry cloth to remove excess water and wait for it to dry naturally. 

It would additionally make your task significantly easier if you look for slip covers to protect your furniture with and make spill and stain cleaning simpler and more streamlined; these are coverings that are machine-washable and dry-cleanable – in short, piece of cake to maintain. Wood furnishing can be cleaned with a milder soap solution; just make sure to rinse and dry it immediately to prevent wood warping.

Keep It Away from Windows

One of the most common enemies of furniture pieces is the sun. Whether you like it or not, the sun is known as the first and main culprit for causing wear and tear in furniture pieces, which is why designers recommend keeping furniture away from direct sunlight. Both wood and upholstered furniture are vulnerable to being exposed to the sun because excess sun exposure can lead to colour fading. 

The vibrant and fresh colours of your upholstered pieces will be a thing of the past in a short period of time when exposed to the harsh sun rays these days, so you should either keep them away from the sun or keep the curtains and blinds closed when the sun is up. For those times when you plan to take a longer vacation or go on a holiday somewhere else, it would be great to protect your furniture by closing the blinds or covering your furnishing to avoid colour fading.

And Moisture

Wooden furniture, in particular, is vulnerable to moisture as it can easily warp or even grow mould. So, make sure to keep it away from moisture-prone rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. In addition, it’s advisable to apply a suitable high-quality wood sealant to create a protective barrier on your modern house furniture against both moisture and UV rays.

Polish and Protect the Furniture

Just like upholstered furniture needs regular vacuuming and cleaning for it to look its best, wood furnishing needs it as well. These pieces need to shine, so oiling, polishing and waxing can help you to keep them shiny. An important thing to know is to choose a polish that is made specifically for the particular wood as solid woods are different from rattan. Even though some people try to wax it at least once a year, you should consult with the manufacturer in order to keep it in perfect condition and avoid any unwanted damage.