Cleaning is a big chore, but the benefits far outweigh the headache! When you clean regularly, you lower the spread of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens and create a sense of well-being in your home. And cleaning your furniture is no exception to these benefits!
But before you start, first check to see that you're using the proper tools for each material — trust us, it makes all the difference. And in honor of National Cleaning Week (which started yesterday and lasts until April 1st), we have created a furniture cleaning guide just for you!
Cleaning Codes
Before we get into the cleaning procedures, let's talk about cleaning codes. Did you know that some upholstered furniture feature a cleaning tag, just like your clothes? These tags will have a letter indicating their cleaning code and best cleaning method!
- W: using water or water-based cleaners is okay. Water-based cleaners are solutions with water as their main component.
- S: use solvent-based cleaners — never, ever use water! Solvent cleaners are a solution that uses a chemical as the main component.
- WS/SW: cleaning with water or solvent-based cleaners is okay. For water cleaning, make sure you only use distilled water!
- X: vacuum or brush clean only — don't use any cleaners or water!
Pro Tip: Before using any solution, test it out on a less noticeable area of the furniture before continuing, so you know it won't ruin the fabric!
Upholstered Furniture
Even with the designated cleaning codes, how you clean your upholstered furniture differs by the type of fabric or the depth of the mess.
- Basic Cleaning: brush the item with a soft cloth or firm brush (if the fabric is tougher), use a lint roller to loosen pet hairs, and vacuum the fabric to remove any excess dirt or food (vacuuming once a week is highly recommended!).
- Deep Cleaning: read the cleaning tag, use the proper cleaning solutions to scrub any stains and scrub the entire area, so there's no difference in tone, and let the fabric air dry.
- No Cleaning Codes: try cleaning stains with baking sodas, detergents, all-purpose cleaners, or specialized cleaning solutions (most synthetic fiber furniture works fine with water-based cleaners).
- Wet Spills or Smells: sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and let it sit for 20 to 60 minutes (or longer if you want), then vacuum everything up.
Pro Tip: Always address spills quickly, no matter the fabric type, and mop them up as soon as possible!
Leather Furniture
When cleaning leather furniture, you'll have to be extra careful, so you don't want to ruin any of the natural markings or tones in the leather. But these steps should do the trick!
- Vacuum the surface to remove any grime and ground-in dirt.
- Make a cleaning solution with equal parts water and white vinegar (unless you have a premade leather cleaner).
- Use a soft cloth, preferably microfiber, and get it damp with the solution — but not wet!
- Wipe down from the top of the material and work your way down.
- As you wipe the entire surface, continuously rinse your cloth in the cleaning solution as it gets dirty.
- Use a clean towel to dry the leather — never use a heated drying source!
Faux Leather
How you clean faux leather is different from cleaning genuine leather. So, always make sure your furniture is made of faux leather instead of genuine leather before doing any of the following steps!
- Dab any spills with a dry cloth or paper towel while picking up loose debris.
- Get a bucket of warm water damp soft cloth, and gently rub everything down.
- For stubborn stains, use a blend of water and dish soap. But if that doesn't work, try using vinegar diluted in water or rubbing alcohol to remove the stain.
- Use a separate wet cloth to remove any remaining soap or cleaning products.
- Let everything air dry!
Wood Furniture
No doubt you have wood furniture in your home, either with your living room tables, dining room tables, desks, or even the legs on your couch or chair. But regardless of where the wood is, the cleaning process is the same!
- Dust or wipe the exposed wood with a dry towel to remove surface dirt.
- Wipe down the exposed wood with a water-damp cloth or a mixture of water and dish soap.
- Use a second dry cloth to dry off the exposed wood.
- To prevent cracking or add shine, rub down the wood with lemon oil polish
For pesky water stains, try rubbing non-gel toothpaste on the area with a clean cloth and dry off with a separate cloth. But if the stain doesn't come off, add baking soda to the toothpaste.
Marble & Metal Furniture
When it comes to marble and metal furniture, the cleaning process is relatively simple. For marble furniture, you can dust it off with a soft cloth, but make sure to avoid spills since the surface is incredibly porous. And for metal furniture, just use warm, soapy water and a cloth to wipe it down.
Pro Tip: Limit the water you use on any stainless steel items to avoid rust, and never use any acidic elements on marble furniture!
Wicker & Rattan Furniture
For Bohemian chic and coastal lovers, wicker and rattan furniture is a staple you doubtlessly have in any room. And because wicker and rattan usually feature a woven design, cleaning them takes more attention to detail.
- Use a dry bristle-brush or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner for excess dust.
- Use a damp cloth for stubborn dirt and stains, but ensure to avoid saturating the material!
- Rinse and blot any excess moisture with a soft, dry cloth and let it air dry.
Pro Tip: Never scrub your rattan furniture — that'll strip and damage it!
Glass Furniture
If you love glass tables, you know it's essential to keep them sparkly clean. You can use chemical cleaners to clean it (especially cleaners specifically made for glass like Windex!). And you can use water on a cloth to wipe it down.
Pro Tip: Avoid wiping down glass with a damp paper towel, as the fine dust from the paper towel will end up collecting on the glass!
Clean Away!
Keeping your furniture pristine takes a lot of work, especially when you have kids or pets, but we hope these tips will keep your dream home spotless. However, if your current furniture has old stains and doesn't mesh with your home's design, look for an upgrade at Downs TV & Appliance! We have plenty of in-stock furniture we can get to you quickly!
Have any questions? Don't hesitate to give our team a call or stop by!