With a little bit of care, your furniture will serve you better and longer.
Home furniture is one of the major investments you make to build a home you can stay in. Your choice of furniture significantly enhances the comfort and function of your flat. Your furniture also makes your space more personalised with the colours and styles that you incorporate into it.
It's a must to take care of your investment to make the most of your money's worth. The proper care of your furniture can also preserve its beauty for the upcoming years. Whether it's made of wood, metal, fabric, leather, or stone, here are some simple ways you can take care of your furniture.
How to Take Care of Your Wooden Furniture
Some of the most expensive furniture pieces on the market are made of solid wood. These typically bulky pieces are known for their unique and organic charm and longevity.
If you look at a traditional home, you'll notice that the bed, wardrobe, dining tables, chairs, bedside tables, and other storage furniture are almost all made of wood. This is because the wood's charm increases as it ages while its purpose remains the same.
Although this reliable material is durable enough to work for both indoor and outdoor use, that doesn't mean it's not prone to breaking and deteriorating. Here are the ways you can take care of your wooden furniture.
- Dust off your wooden furniture often. Whether it's your wooden dining table, your cabinet surfaces, or even your bed frame, it's important to make sure no loose dirt will accumulate on your surface, especially if you're prone to experiencing allergy symptoms. The best way to remove dust from surfaces is with a damp cloth instead of a duster. This is to prevent particles from scattering into the air.
- Avoid spills. You do not want spills and moisture to stay on your wooden surfaces. When there are accidental spills, make sure to wipe them up as soon as possible and not let them sit on the surface for long, as they leave long-lasting stains and may warp in the future, especially on those made with lighter materials.
- Use coasters on your wooden dining and coffee tables. Likewise, as much as possible, keep your furniture away from direct sunlight, as it can lose moisture and become brittle.
- You should polish wooden furniture regularly, whether it is your wooden sofa or another furniture piece. Polishing your wooden furniture can add a protective layer to its surfaces. Take a look at your manufacturing care details to find the suitable polish for your furniture.
- Avoid contact with sharp edges to prevent scratches and bigger damages.
How to Take Care of Your Metal Furniture
Metal is also a popular and reliable material to create your furniture. Your metal bed frame, bunk bed, metal coffee table, and shoe rack also need some care. Although known for its sturdiness, metal is prone to rusting and bending. This is how you can protect the quality of your metal furniture.
- Avoid rusting by keeping your metal furniture dry. When there are spills, make sure to wipe them off immediately to prevent the moisture from penetrating the surface.
- Make sure the joints of your metal furniture are properly lubricated to prevent squeaky sounds when being used.
- When buying metal furniture, opt for powder-coated metal to guarantee your furniture is less prone to rusting.
How to Take Care of Your Fabric Furniture
Fabric is a popular furniture material that transcends styles. Its clean look and comfort make the modern interior more warm and welcoming. When combined with wood or metal, fabric upholstery brings a contemporary feel to the space with its lightweight feel and variety. From the most in-demand fabric sofas to cosy fabric beds, you can find an upholstered piece that will fit into your comfortable space. Here are the ways you can make the most of your fabric furniture.
- Vacuum your fabric furniture regularly. Dust, pollen, pet dander, and other dirt can easily stick to your fabric furniture. When you lie down on your fabric bed or sit on your fabric sofa, there's a big chance you get in contact with various particles that can harm your health. More so, dust and dirt affect the colour and quality of your furniture, making it look old.
- Fluff your cushions regularly. We all have our favourite spots to sit on. This habit of sitting in the same place all the time causes the cushion to sag faster than other seats not used often. If the cushions on your sofa or dining chairs can be taken off, fluff and flip them often to keep the pressure on your seats even.
- Spot-clean your fabric sofa regularly. Other sofas have removable fabric covers that are washable, but some have none. If the cover of your couch is fixed, it's helpful to do spot cleaning to prevent spills and dust from permanently reducing the quality of your furniture. Use gentle cleaning materials based on the manufacturer's manual.
How to Take Care of Genuine Leather Furniture
Compared to fabric, leather is easier to maintain and is arguably sturdier. This said, here are some simple ways you can preserve this high-quality material.
- Wipe off your leather furniture regularly. Like any other material, the most basic way to take care of your leather furniture is to wipe it clean. When it comes to leather, cleaning is pretty much light work. Just take a damp cloth and wipe the spills or dust away. However, use gentle cleaning materials and a smooth cloth to prevent scratching and fading.
- Use a vacuum to clean your leather furniture. Vacuuming on a regular basis will not only remove visible dirt but will also sterilise your surface, removing bacteria and allergens.
How to Take Care of Stone Furniture
Some stone furniture pieces are more luxurious and expensive than other furniture materials. Some are sturdy enough to stay sophisticated for a long time, but others require extra care to maintain their beauty. Preserve the quality of your stone furniture with these tips.
- Clean the surfaces with a non-abrasive cloth. Your marble-topped kitchen cabinets, side tables, and coffee tables are very attractive and timeless, but you need more care to keep them that way. Since marble is prone to scratching, make sure you use gentle materials when cleaning its surface.
- Avoid sharp objects that can scratch your surface.
- Keep cultured marble away from flames or direct heat. Use coasters and placemats to protect your marble surface.
- If you're looking for a more scratch-resistant material, opt for sintered stone furniture.
Buy Reliable Furniture
When purchasing your next piece of furniture, make sure you understand the material and how to care for it in order to keep your space looking beautiful and ultimately functional. Before checking out an item from your favourite furniture store, align your lifestyle with your furniture choice. Although it's easy to be lured by a gorgeous glass table, for example, it may be more practical to choose a safer one that you can easily maintain and protect from potential damage, especially when you have kids or pets.