Furniture serves many purposes in our homes. They provide style, comfort, and a place for memories to be made. Whether you want to have years of family dinners at the same table, continue to use your children’s beds as they grow up, or keep your furniture looking new, here are the ways you can make your furniture last a lifetime.
Caring for Finished Wood Furniture
Over the years, manufacturers, conservators, and homeowners have been testing various cleaning methods, yielding differing results. However, some tried and true methods have stuck around for generations.
No fancy cleaning solutions needed
One thing folks can agree on is that your wood furniture should be regularly dusted with a soft rag, most commonly made from cotton. Everyone also agrees that spills and other moisture should be wiped up immediately to avoid damage to the wood.
Is wood polish necessary?
The use of polishes to preserve wooden furniture is a hot topic lately. While they were once commonly used, many are now turning away from aerosol, liquid, and oil polishes. These polishes either contain damaging solvents or silicone, and all of them are known to alter the appearance of the base finish (even if rarely used over time).
However, polish isn’t entirely bad. Semi-solid polishes, such as paste waxes, are known to be effective but require elbow grease to buff properly. Luckily, it doesn’t need to be applied more than once or twice a year, as overapplication can cause a gummy residue.
Placement is everything
The most effective way to protect your wood furniture is to keep it away from fluctuating humidity, heat, and intense sunlight. All of these factors can cause warping, cracks, and fading.
This can be easily avoided by not placing your furniture near fireplaces, humidifiers, or radiators. If you have a window that receives direct sunlight between 10 AM and 3 PM, we recommend keeping your curtains closed to prevent sunlight from hitting nearby furniture.
This sensitivity to moisture and heat is also why you should always use coasters and trivets.
Upholstery Upkeep
Like wood, upholstery fades over time if exposed to direct sunlight. It should also be vacuumed weekly to remove possible dust, crumbs, and hair.
If you need to deep clean your upholstery, you need to determine the cleaning code for the fabric type. This is typically on a tag, beneath the cushions, or on the frame. The three common ones are:
- W – Clean with water-based cleaner such as Woolite Spray Foam
- S – Clean with a pure solvent such as Renuzit or Carbona
- WS – Clean with either of the above methods
Vinyl
Vinyl should be washed with a mild soap and warm water, and then wiped with a damp cloth and clear water on a weekly basis. This will prevent it from absorbing body oils, which can cause it to crack.
Leather
Occasionally, use mild soap to gently dust and remove soiled spots. This will take care of all leather housekeeping problems. Leather should also not be exposed to excessive heat. While most people have stopped this method, we feel it’s necessary to mention you should never use a hair dryer on leather; let it air dry.
Other tips
- You might think the zipper on your cushions means they should be removed for cleaning. However, unless a tag mentions this, you should assume a cover should not be removed. The zipper is for tailoring purposes only.
- Loose cushions should be reversed often to improve their longevity and appearance.
Mattresses and Sleeper Sofas
When moving your mattresses or attempting to clean them, always take these steps for a longer mattress lifespan:
- Avoid standing a mattress on end or bending it.
- Open the sleep sofas occasionally to air mattresses.
- Flip and rotate your mattress monthly.
The Key to Long-Lasting Furniture is to Plan Ahead
While we know that the tips above will help your furniture last longer, you can take even more preventive steps early on. Invest in furniture made of high-quality materials, and keep a list of tasks that need to be done once or twice a year. This will help you plan and avoid forgetting those occasional tasks.
Furniture will always be a part of our lives, regardless of the style. Keeping your furniture looking new helps you offer heirloom pieces to your family or maintain its value if you ever need to resell it.
We hope as you follow these steps you’ll be able to enjoy your furniture even more.