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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