Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Moving into a new Ball home may also mean getting new furniture. Having new furniture can be really exciting, that is until you spot the first stain or chip and realize that your furniture is no longer brand new. However, if you take care to clean your furniture carefully and regularly, you will find that it stays looking newer for longer. Use these tips to care for your furniture and it will last for years to come.
Leather Furniture
Each item of leather furniture that you buy should come with instructions from the manufacturer on how you should care for the item. However, in general most leather items can be cleaned with the commercial leather cleaning solutions that you can find in your local supermarket. For the occasional sticky finger residue or food spills, a swipe with a slightly damp cloth will do the trick. Just make sure you wipe up any excess liquid to keep the leather from staining or drying out. Leather furniture is also very sensitive to heat and light, so make sure you keep it away from windows, fireplaces, and central heating vents.
Wood Furniture
The most important thing to remember about wood furniture is that it needs to be dusted...quite a lot. This can be annoying but if you get into a regular cycle, then you’ll find it just becomes natural for you to wipe and polish the wooden surfaces a few times a week. Like leather, wood is very sensitive to heat and light, so position your furniture away from heating vents, fireplaces or radiators. Don't store it in attics or garages, where temperature and humidity levels vary widely from summer to winter, day and night. Avoid placing furniture in areas where it will sit in direct sunlight, which can fade or discolor it; use drapes, sheers or protective window films to guard against the sun's rays. Use placemats, tablecloths, or coasters to protect your furniture from the heat and cold of dinner plates and glasses.
Upholstered Furniture
Dust and dirt can cling to upholstered furniture much more easily than wood and leather. Make sure you vacuum on a weekly basis. Lift up couch cushions and pillows and clean the crevices underneath where crumbs love to hide. Flip and rotate loose cushions regularly to distribute wear more evenly. Switch the position of a love seat and a sofa, or swap the positions of a set of chairs as the seasons change. Consider using a spray-on fabric protector as another layer of protection from spills and smudges. You can have your furniture retailer apply a layer of protector, or you can purchase your own commercial product. If you choose to do it at home, make sure you read the instructions thoroughly and carefully.
