Furniture Cleaning How To's|Step-By-Step Furniture & Upholstery Cleaning

From the beautiful wooden designs to the amazing intricacies of upholstery there is no running short of excuses to purchase furniture even if it is only to put them on display as a proud owner.

Good furniture is, no doubt – a treasured possession in any home but prolonging the life span of these investments can prove a tougher job than you bargained. But what is all that compared to the joy of having fine wood furniture with which to entertain guests and the cushioned softness of a favorite sofa?

How To Clean Wooden Furniture
In its natural state, wood contains a surprising amount of moisture – enough to cause it to spontaneously begin to deteriorate if not stored properly.

• Dust often and Dust Damp

Frequent dusting removes dirt and secures the wood from any potential oily build up that may be hazardous to the wood. Dusting with a dry cloth can scratch the wood, so lightly wet the cloth used with water or dusting agent.
The furniture must not be wet directly however. Over wetting can prove hard to dry and encourage more dirt build up.

• Polish or Wax

Either wax or furniture polish when applied to wood has the capacity to protect the surface. These two products must not be combined however as they may end up producing a sticky mess.
Before deciding which is more appropriate for the furniture, seek professional advice with the wood type in mind.


How To Clean Upholstered Furniture
Upholstered furniture may seem especially demanding in terms of care and maintenance, but the process needn’t be a hassle –

• Vacuum

Before proceeding with deep cleaning, vacuum the surface of the furniture to remove any surface debris and loose dirt. You may use a dust buster or a hose attachment on a full-sized vacuum cleaner.

• Remove lint and pet fur

An average vacuum may not be able to pick up on lint and fur, so it might be necessary to use a lint roller and work in a systematic grid across the entire surface of the sofa to ensure you do not miss any hair or lint.

• Wipe down hard surfaces

Furniture with exposed wood surfaces should be cleaned with all-purpose-surface-cleaner that would make the wood shine.

How to Clean Fabric Furniture-

• Precondition the Fabric
  Fabric conditioners can be found in any supermarket; simply mix and apply as directed.
• Shampoo the Fabric
  Any homemade cleaner or detergent mix may achieve this effect. Evenly distribute it to ensure the best results
• Steam Vacuum
  Use a steam vacuum to apply pressure to furniture – this would encourage soil separation and thorough cleaning that may not be otherwise achieved.
• Air Dry
  Ventilate the room where the furniture is placed, and allow to dry before subsequent use.

How to Clean Leather Furniture-

• Use Vinegar based Cleaner
  Either mix water with white vinegar or mix the cleaning solution with vinegar and apply on the leather.
  
  Condition the Furniture Over Night
• After wiping the leather clean of the first application, make a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts flax seed oil and apply again. Then leave to stand over night.
• Buff the Furniture
  Rub the sofa down with another fresh clean rag and make the leather healthy and shiny.
  
  

There is unlimited beauty and comfort that good furniture adds to a home. Turns out, if you take care of it, it will take care of you.

---