Furniture is a good investment to add function, comfort, and style to our living spaces. It can be a brand-new sofa in the living room, or an antique chair passed down through generations. Whatever their type and age are, they need proper care and maintenance. Regular care and maintenance help your furniture last longer without losing its aesthetic and functional features. However, how to care for your furniture partly depends on the material used in production whereas there are certain common maintenance and repair procedures shared by all types of furniture regardless of their material. 

In this blog post, we are guiding you through the best practices to care for and repair your furniture. Keep in mind that some tips are general, and they apply to all types of furniture while some others are material-specific tips. 

What Are General Maintenance Tips?

As mentioned above, different furniture materials require different cleaning or maintenance techniques and routines. However, certain tips are common and applicable to any furniture. Here they are:

Regular Dusting:

Whatever your furniture material is, dust is your enemy. Dust causes dullness and wear in the long term. So, dust your furniture regularly, i.e. once a week at least. Use soft and lint-free cloth,  such as microfiber, for dusting.

Good Location:

The placement of your furniture is an important factor in preserving it for a long time. Avoid placing your furniture in a spot where it gets direct sunlight because UV rays can cause discoloration and fading. Also, keep make sure your furniture is away from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators since extreme heat can cause cracking or warping.

Placemats And Coasters:

Hot or cold drinks can cause stains or watermarks on soft surface furniture such as sofas or armchairs. Also, if you want to protect your dining table from damage, use a tablecloth to keep the mess of the meal away from your furniture.

Lifting Or Moving Carefully:

Always make sure you are holding at the right spots of your furniture and lifting it in the right position. Holding furniture carelessly might damage both you and your furniture. Especially, heavy pieces of furniture can be hard to move. If you lift and move it with care, you ensure both the health and durability of your furniture.

How To Take Care Of Different Furniture Materials?

Here you can find out specific cleaning and maintenance techniques for different furniture materials:

Wood Furniture

Wood is good. It is timeless and one of the most widely used furniture materials. If you want your wood furniture to keep its natural beauty and look its best, follow these guidelines:

Dusting:

Dust the surface of your wood furniture with a damp cloth. Don’t forget to remove excess moisture after the first wipe. Also, remember that abrasive chemicals or cleaners can damage natural wood surfaces. 

Polishing:

Polishing makes your furniture clean and shiny. Use a wood polish that is formulated particularly for the wood type in your home. You can apply it yourself with circular motions, or get a professional polishing service.

Immediate Action To Spills:

Wood tends to absorb liquid inside, which might lead to permanent damage. So, you should clean up spills as soon as possible. Also, cleaning the spills using the right techniques is important. Just blot the liquid with an absorbent cloth, and avoid rubbing. There are also professional furniture cleaners to help you with stubborn spills.

Upholstered Furniture

Upholstered furniture items provide you with style and comfort at the same time. But dust and allergens can accumulate on upholstered surfaces easily, which results in bad looks and hygiene problems. Here are a few tips to give better maintenance to your upholstered furniture:

Vacuuming:

Most vacuum cleaners come with upholstery attachments to take the dust out of the furniture. Vacuuming your furniture at least once a week, you can remove dirt, dust, and pet hair. Don’t forget to pay attention to armrests and cushions where most of the dirt accumulates.

Spot Cleaning: 

Acting quickly is critical for the health of your upholstered furniture. If you happen to spill anything on the upholstered surface, blot up the excess liquid using an absorbent cloth. Then use a mild cleaner that is particularly designed for your furniture. 

Professional Cleaning: 

Upholstered furniture needs to be cleaned deeply if the stain is too much or too deep. In such cases, consider getting a professional cleaning service.

Leather Furniture

Leather has long been the symbol of luxury and elegance, and a lot of people prefer leather furniture to other alternatives. However, leather furniture comes with certain maintenance requirements if you want to keep it supple and crack-free. Here is how to give proper maintenance to your leather furniture:

Dusting And Wiping:

Remove dust and dirt on the surface using a soft and dry cloth. You don’t need to rub it too much since leather surfaces are usually easy to clean. In fact, rubbing harshly can make your furniture look dull.

Leather Conditioner:

Leather conditioners are specifically produced for various leather surfaces. They prevent your furniture from cracking or drying out. Apply the product sparingly and buff it gently until you see the surface shiny.

Avoid Abrasive Chemicals:

Detergents or other harsh chemicals can damage leather furniture seriously. Avoid using such abrasive cleaning products on leather surfaces.

What Are Some Common Furniture Problems And Repair Tips?

Regardless of the furniture material, you can experience functional problems that need to be fixed properly. While some simple repairments can be tackled through DIY techniques, some others require professional repair staff. Here are the most common furniture problems you might face at home, and some practical tips to deal with them:

Loose Screws And Joints:

Furniture joints can get loose over time. Just tighten them using a screwdriver. If a screw doesn’t get tightened properly when you try to do so, it might keep spinning or the head is stripped. Then, you can ask for professional help.

Scratches:

Scratches can occur on any type of furniture, but they are common problems, especially on wood furniture. However, you can buff it out with a suitable scratch remover. You can also consider furniture refinishers to get professional help.

Wobbly Chair Legs:

Wobbly chair legs are caused by loose joints. Applying some wood glue to the tenon or dowels can tighten these joints. If the damage on the joints is more than just getting loose, then you can consider asking for professional help.

What Else Can I Do To Extend The Life Of My Furniture?

Here are a few suggestions for you to make your furniture last longer in terms of aesthetics and functionality:

Rotate Cushions:

Flip and rotate your cushions regularly to ensure even wear and tear.

Protect From Sunlight:

Filtering the sunlight and protecting your furniture from UV rays help you a lot with preserving your furniture for a longer time. You can use blinds or curtains on your windows.

Furniture Covers:

If you are not using any furniture regularly, you can consider covering it so that you can insulate dust, dirt, sunlight…etc.

Regular Inspection:

Inspect your furniture for any damage or problem periodically. You can avoid big problems by addressing minor problems promptly.  

How Can WaynesHome Help You With Furniture Care?

WayneHome is a dedicated furniture store in Norfolk, VA. You can find a wide range of home furniture and much more in our store. 

At WaynesHome, we source only the best quality furniture pieces that can withstand tear and wear in homes. So, you can find only the best quality products here, and they last for a long time. However, we also know that a little TLC (tender love caring) is still needed even for the best-crafted furniture. 

Fear not when you see signs of wear in your furniture. We know that your favorite sofa might need a refresh, or your beloved chair needs repair over time. You can ask us anything about maintenance and care for your furniture. If you are a DIY person, we can give you some good advice. If you need a professional hand, we can solve all the problems with your furniture including repair, refinishing, refacing…etc. Our professional team delivers outstanding maintenance and repair services to keep your furniture looking and functioning at its best. So, investing in WaynesHome is investing in quality and peace of mind in all conditions.