Every furniture piece is an investment. Do you believe that? They fill both the interior and exterior of every home and commercial place. So when furniture is properly taken care of and maintained, it can last for years. And yes, they can also be passed down to the next generation. But how do you do that? Well, you only need to avoid what can cause damage or any form of quality deterioration to your furniture, and voila! Sounds easy, right?

Here are the dos and don’ts of furniture care and maintenance. 

Do’s in Furniture Care

Make Use of Homemade Solutions

Did you know you can clean your home without using harsh chemicals? The easiest way to clean your furniture is to wipe it with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Dish soap breaks down some of the bacteria and contaminants you’ll find on your furniture’s surface. Not only that but the mixture also doesn’t cause any harm to your furniture. It will not discolor or tear the material. The mixture can be used on leather furniture cleaning as it is just a mild dish soap so it will not ruin the material at all.

Protect Your Furniture From Hot And Cold Diningware

One of the best ways to make your dining room look elegant is to serve food in beautiful dishes. However, if you don’t protect your furniture from hot and cold dining ware, you are likely to end up with nasty burn marks on the surface.

Here are a few tips for protecting your furniture when using fine china or serving drinks at parties:

• Make sure that there are no gaps between the table and chairs when setting up for guests. You can use coasters made of felt or special chair pads that absorb moisture and keep it away from the table surface.

• Wood is a good conductor, so if you put cold drinks on wooden furniture, you run the risk of splinters. For example, a glass of cold water on wooden furniture can cause serious damage if placed for prolonged periods without a coaster. Buying coasters made from corks will be a good way to soak up moisture that comes out of cold drinks placed on.

• Put a trivet or potholder under hot plates or other hot dining ware before setting it down on any wooden furniture or leather furniture. Placing heat and moisture directly on wood or leather can cause warping and deformation.

Practice Dusting Regularly

To keep your furniture in good shape, dust them regularly. There are many kinds of dusters available, but be sure to use one that won’t scratch or damage the surface. Dusting a wooden piece of furniture once a day is a good way to keep your furniture in good condition. 

A duster that doesn’t scratch wood can be purchased at any store that sells houseware. If you are unable to find one in the store, dusting your furniture with a damp cloth is another option. Always dust in the direction of the grain on wood furniture and in circles

For pets, invest on chew toys and scratching posts

Pets like cats and dogs can relieve stress inside the house. However, pets won’t relieve stress if they’re constantly clawing at your furniture. If you own a pet, consider training them to avoid clawing at your furniture. The best way to keep your pet off the furniture is by grooming them, so their nails aren’t too sharp or too long to ruin any type of furniture.

You can also invest in scratching posts for cats for them to claw on instead of your couch. Chew toys with a hidden compartment for doggy snacks can be given to dogs to help distract them from jumping onto your furniture and taking a bite out of your favorite leather recliner. 

Don’ts in Furniture Care

Don’t Overuse Bleach and Detergent

One of the things that most homeowners have problems with is how to clean their furniture. Most people just think that using bleach and detergents will work but they aren’t the best option for your furniture. These are great when it comes to getting rid of the bacteria inside the furniture but they can be too much for your furniture to handle.

When cleaning the furniture, you should also be concerned with the material used to make it. Some people think that if something is expensive, then they can put anything on it. But this isn’t true so you have to take care of the materials used to make your furniture to ensure that they are not ruined. You can even learn how to clean specific types of furniture in order for them to last longer.

Don’t Over-polish 

If you have furniture that is starting to look dull, you may be tempted to over-polish. However, wax build-up can cause the finish to become a bit cloudy. Instead of a thick coat of wax, a thin coat will help. The best way to restore a luster that has been dulled by dust and age is to use a finish with a high-gloss sheen. This helps make the wood look newer.

Don’t apply wax polish to wood that’s dirty. It would trap the dirt on the surface of the wood, making it look worse than before. Instead, clean the wood first, then apply wax polish. 

Don’t Expose Your Furniture to Direct Sunlight

Sunlight can cause serious problems for wooden furniture. As such, you should do your best to avoid placing your furniture near windows or basically just about anywhere the sunlight passes through. Natural light discolors wooden furniture over time, making it appear brown or orange. Wooden furniture can last centuries, but it’s not impervious to damage. Sunlight is one of the biggest threats to wooden furniture; it will discolor your furniture pieces in a matter of years.

Sure, you can take steps to protect your wood from natural light by storing it in cabinets or closets when not in use. But chances are that your pieces will still be exposed to sunlight for hours each day. It’s important to at least have curtains up on your windows because this will prevent sunlight from touching the wooden furniture and this will help the polish last longer.

Don’t Rub or Scrub Your Furniture

If you’re wondering how to clean upholstery, it’s best to avoid rubbing vigorously. Consider scraping up what you can with a spoon and blotting the remaining stains with a clean towel. Scraping can be a quick and effective way to remove upholstery stains. Rubbing or scrubbing hard enough can create heat, which can result in a chemically bonded stain. Scrubbing can also cause the pile to become distorted.

We hope that this article has been helpful in giving you tips to clean your furniture. 

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