No matter the quality of your upholstered furniture, without proper care your beloved furnishings may not last as long as you had hoped. Thankfully, with a little care and preventative maintenance, you can extend the life of your furnishings and enjoy them for many years to come.
Follow Manufacturer’s Recommendations
When purchasing new upholstered furniture, always review the manufacturer’s care instructions. This will help you avoid using non-recommended cleaning solutions and protective sprays and will often provide useful tips for maintaining your furniture.
Regular Vacuuming
It is inevitable, soil, dirt, dust and other foreign substances can and will find their way into your upholstery fabrics. Even if you can not see it, it’s there. These foreign bodies gradually break down the fabric and promote premature wear.
Regular vacuuming of your upholstered furniture will help reduce the amount of contaminates and, in turn, reduce the amount of wear. Try to vacuum your upholstery at least once a week and you’ll significantly extend its useful life.
Flip and Rotate Your Cushions
Regular flipping and rotating of cushions helps them to wear more evenly and helps to eliminate divets. Once a week, while you are vacuuming your upholstery, flip those cushions over and reposition them on the couch. This simple practice will go a long way toward extending the life of your furniture.
Clean Up After Your Pets
If you have pets it is a good idea to remove pet hair from your upholstered furniture on a regular basis. Pet hair acts much like other contaminates and eventually breaks down fabrics. Using a lint roller or rubber petting mitt prior to vacuuming can help keep Fido and Fefe’s shedding in check.
Position Your Furniture Thoughtfully
Where you place your furniture can affect how well, or poorly it wears. For instance, positioning your furniture in direct sunlight can promote fading, and placing upholstered furniture too near a heat source can be dangerous. If you must place it near a window or vent, be sure to mitigate any potential harm by adjusting vent fins or closing the blinds.
Have Your Upholstery Professionally Cleaned
Aside from regular vacuuming, having your upholstery professionally cleaned at least once a year can significantly extend its useful life. Not only will professional cleaning remove dust, dirt and other foreign material, but a service professional is more likely to note any hidden stains or unusual wear.