Whether you are buying a new barcalounger or a large metal wall art, buying new furniture can be a fun and exciting adventure. But cleaning and caring for them can be a different story altogether, as many furniture owners think of this activity as a tedious chore. However, we cannot undermine the importance of proper caring for the furniture because this makes these pieces last a long time with us.
There is a wide array of furniture of different materials to choose from. Each material requires a different kind of cleaning method. To help you care for your furniture properly, here are some wonderful tips to keep in mind.
Wood
Wood furniture such as wooden chairs and wooden wall décor must be dusted regularly, several times a week to maintain a surface free of debris and to help avoid soil build up. Dust the furniture using a clean, dry and lint-free cloth. For general cleaning, wash the furniture surface with mild soap and water. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth thoroughly afterwards.
Make sure that you protect all your wooden furniture against direct sunlight. This means that you have to place your wooden chairs and tables away from the windows but if you do, ensure that the windows are properly covered with drapes or curtains to minimize sunlight. The sun’s strong rays can dry and fade the color. It is also a bad idea to place wooden furniture near air vents because forced air can deteriorate the quality of the material.
Aluminum, metal or steel
Proper maintenance of modern furniture made of aluminum, metal or steel like a large metal wall art can be done through regular dusting and occasional wiping with soft, damp cloth. For tougher dirt, wash with hot and soapy water. Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth afterwards.
Never use any abrasive, strong detergent or cleansing powders to clean this kind of furniture because some of these may contain alkali, which can cause the pitting of this material. Rinse and dry afterwards.
Leather
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for care for leather furniture. There are specific leather conditioners that should be used for cleaning and keeping the shine of the material. If there are no available instructions, clean dirty leather by wiping a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth.
Marble
Wash marble furniture with clean cloth and lukewarm water. Once every six months, you can wash it with a mild detergent to remove soil buildup. It is not necessary to wax marble especially white ones because wax can cause for a yellowish tone to develop.
Reed, cane and wicker
For pieces of furniture made of these materials, you can clean them using a vacuum with a brush attach. You also have the option of washing them with mild soap and lukewarm water. Just make sure that you do not wet the wooden parts of the furniture. Use a dry cloth to dry the surface and to absorb any excess moisture.
Caring for your furniture and making it last a long time are not that difficult if you have the knowledge and patience on how to do these things.
Wicker garden furniture provides a great look for use in the garden or indoors. Whether you’re shopping for patio furniture, conservatory sofa sets, or lounge chairs, you should be sure that you buy high quality wicker furniture because it is stronger and less likely to fade or corrode. The weather resistant properties of synthetic wicker and the great looks and lightweight durability of powder-coated aluminum make these the most common material choices in the construction of long lasting garden furniture or patio furniture sets.
Seasonal Use
Plastic and even natural materials can easily and quickly become discoloured or corrode when left outside. Alarmingly, this includes their use in the sun. Even though garden furniture is most commonly used during the summer months in order to enjoy the clement weather, prolonged exposure to the potentially harmful UV rays can lead to discolouration, warping, bending, and other problems. While this may be a problem with some garden furniture, it isn’t a consideration with synthetic wicker and you can leave your new garden furniture outdoors throughout the year.
Scratches And Bumps
Furniture can get knocked easily, especially if you have young children or pets. Synthetic wicker is largely wear resistant and even if it is subject to scratches, they will not be noticeable because the material is coloured right through to the core. While there will be no discolouration from scratches and bumps it can prove beneficial to give the area a quick clean in order to prevent dust and dirt from becoming ground into the material.
General Maintenance And Regular Wicker Care
Regular maintenance is a good idea with any piece of furniture. Not only does it keep it looking pristine but it can prevent dirt and grime from taking a hold, especially with outdoor furniture. Fortunately, regular maintenance of wicker furniture is a very simple process. Remove any cushions or covers from the furniture and then simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. You needn’t use any detergents or other cleaning liquids although you can use soapy water if you wish.
Other Materials Used In Garden Furniture
Most garden furniture relies on the use of other materials as well as the wicker itself. Frames can be created from aluminum and table tops from tempered glass. Both of these materials are simple to care for as well. Dust them when you dust the rest of your furniture and give them a wipe down before or after use in the same way you would with any dining table or coffee table. This helps ensure your patio furniture looks good.
Cushion And Material Care
Wicker outdoor chairs and lounge chairs typically include a cushion and cushion cover. In some cases, they may have a selection of interchangeable covers giving you more design options and greater flexibility. Simply remove the cushions, take off the cushion covers, and wash these as normal in order to enjoy the best results. You can even give them a quick once over when you vacuum.
Furniture Covers
While wicker garden furniture is weatherproof and will withstand virtually any weather condition, you can buy covers to place over the furniture. This is especially useful if you do leave them outdoors because while they may not discolour from the weather, the cover will protect your furniture from other potential problems like animal mess and it will keep dirt and debris away from the surface so the furniture is ready to use come a sunny day.
Decorating ones home totally depends upon ones taste and pocket. Buying quality furniture can not only maximize your re-investment but also saves your precious Dollars. But it requires some care and maintenance periodically.
Here through this article Plano Furniture Store suggests some tips on how to protect and care for your bedroom furniture,living room furniture which helps to retain a long lasting finish, providing years of enjoyment to you.
Always use coaster pads / cloth to protect your furniture surface from beverages, dishes, vases or flower pots
Recommended to rotate accessories placed on furniture periodically, so they do not sit in the same spot all the time and left mark on your home furniture.
Direct exposure to sunlight cause fading to your furniture, so it is suggested to avoid it
Similarly extreme changes in temperature may cause di-shape of furniture, hence suggested to avoid placing it near heat radiators or air conditioning units.
immediately clean your furniture with a blotting cloth if something has spills over it, otherwise liquid has the tendency to damage the finish of your furniture when left over a long period.
Avoid dragging the objects placed over furniture surface as it may leads to a roughness over it.
Frequently dusting is recommended that too with a clean and soft cotton cloth / duster.
Suggested to polish furniture every six monthly with clean and soft linen. And never polish it opposite to the direction of grain.
To conclude, with proper care you can keep your home furniture look beautiful and add life to your furniture. So just try these tips and see the difference.