Interior Design & Decor

Your furniture plays an important part of the look and feel of your home.  In many cases the furniture in your home has cost thousands of dollars and with proper care and maintenance you can preserve the beauty of your furniture for many years.

 

Having the right type of fabric on your upholstered furniture can make a world of difference in the durability and cleanliness in its appearance.  When decorating your home it is also important to consider the use the furniture will receive.  If you have a room which will get a high degree of traffic with kids and pets there are certain fabrics that will be more durable as well as keeping their beauty.  If you are decorating a room that will be low traffic and more for entertaining you can choose different fabrics for your upholstered furniture.  You should also be aware that there are certain fabrics more resistant to direct sunlight than others.

 

Following a regular routine of maintenance with a few simple tips can preserve the beauty of your upholstery for many years.  The most important routine you can follow is to vacuum your furniture regularly.  Dirt comes in your home regularly in the air as well as on clothing worn by other people.  It is impossible to keep it out and even when your furniture isn’t used regularly this dirt will settle on the fabric.  When you sit on the furniture this dirt and grime is ground into the fabric.  The longer this soiling occurs the greater the likelihood of permanent damage.  Regular vacuuming will remove the dry dirt as well as the oily dirt before it gets ground into the fabric.

 

Clean spots and spills from your upholstered furniture immediately. The longer a stain remains, the harder it is to remove and it can become permanent.  After the spill or spot has been removed use a blow drier on cool to dry the fabric as quickly as possible.  This can prevent the fabric from drying with a ring.  A great way to provide better protection for your furniture is to have Scotchgard added to your pieces.  With this added layer of protection you can keep your furniture looking good and spot free for many years.

 

If you have heard the saying “an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure” you will find if you stop eating food on the furniture or drinking, you can decrease the likelihood of getting spills or spots on the furniture.  Developing proper habits helps to maintain the appearance of the furniture.

 

Turning your cushions once a week and rearranging the furniture will help to maintain the appearance of your furniture.  One of the biggest factors causing damage to you upholstery is direct sunlight.  Prolonged exposure to the sun will break down the fabric, cause fading and possibly show premature wear and tear.

 

It is impossible to prevent a build up of germs, dirt, sweat, and overall grime on your upholstered furniture.  For this reason you need to have your furniture professionally cleaned every year.  Fabrics on your furniture are more delicate than carpets and it is important not to use the wrong cleaning solutions which can cause permanent damage.  Professional cleaners will make sure there is not too much moisture left in the furniture to develop mold or create any other health problems.  They possess the knowledge needed to keep your furniture in good condition and preserve the appearance.

 

Developing a regular routine of maintenance and following these tips will add to the life of your furniture and protect you and your family from the accumulation of germs and bacteria while preserving the beauty for many years.