How to Protect Your Upholstery:
Routine Care will significantly increase the longevity of upholstery fabric along with maintaining the original shape and appearance of the cushions, filled backs, and pillows. Accidents; however, are sometimes unavoidable. Spills should be blotted immediately with a clean folded towel. Do not rub, but blot gently to remove as much of the liquid or material as possible. Oftentimes this will prevent the development of a stain, particularly if fabric protection has been utilized.
Proper routine care primarily consists of a regular weekly vacuum and brush. The accumulation of dust and dirt can produce an abrasive action accelerating deterioration of fiber within the yarns that make up the fabric.
Additional fabric protection can be applied in store or at home to increase resistance to stains. The application should be even and light, providing a surface coating to the fabric. Excessive application of some protective solutions can deeply penetrate into the fabric and compromise the fiber bonds of the yarn. Fabric protection products provide a repellent property to the fabric against soil and liquid. Fabric protection should not be considered an invisible shield against all dirt, grime, or stain. The application of fabric protection is essential to routine care and cleaning.
How to Protect Your Wood Furniture
As with anything you buy, misuse and abuse can create damage over time. Here are a few examples that will help prevent damage to your furniture:
- Always use a coaster under glasses, mugs, plates, etc. Use protection mats under hot dishes, utensils, cooking appliances, and pizza boxes. Avoid using rubber, nylon, or plastic placemats.
- Hold, cold, or moist items will react with the wood surface and create discolored white rings or other marks.
- Use felt pads under lamps, vases, and other decorative accessories that may scratch the surface when moved.
- Avoid resting your feet on the furniture. Rigid and rough or sharp edges on shoes can scratch your wood furniture.
- Don't let pets walk across or scratch your furniture. As much as we love our furballs, they can cause inadvertent damage too.
- When writing, place something thicker underneath your paper, such as a book or magazine. Wood is soft, so your handwriting can transfer through the paper and onto your tabletop.
- Keep your furniture away from a fireplace and heating and cooling vents; away from moisture sources, such as humidifiers; and out of direct sunlight. As much as we love the sun, it can be harsh on wood. Daily exposure to heat or sunlight - even indirect sunlight may fade your wood finishes and dry the wood, which can create cracks over time.
- Do not use glass cleaner or ammonia-based cleaners because they can damage lacquer finishes.
- Never use soap or heavy chemicals on furniture.
- If it is too hot to hold in your hand, it's too hot to place on the surface of your furniture.
If you choose to use furniture polish, make sure to continue using the same type of polish. Changing from oil-based to wax-based polish or from wax-based to oil-based can cause your furniture to appear cloudy or streaky.
Spray polishes evenly over furniture surfaces. Wipe with a soft cloth in a circular motion.
