How to care for upholstered furniture
There are several steps you can take
to preserve your upholstered furniture. The first
is to clean the furniture on a weekly basis vacuuming
both the cushions and under them. To prevent upholstery
from becoming wrinkled or flattened you should
fluff and rotate the cushions regularly to help
slow wear and to ensure that any wear is uniform.
Keep upholstered items out of direct
sunlight when possible to avoid fading. If the
upholstery is near a window then use window treatments
(curtains or blinds) to keep the sun’s damaging
rays off your furniture. It is also important to
keep your upholstery away from extreme heat or
cold. Heat is especially bad for upholstery because
it causes the fabric to become brittle and more
prone to wear and tear. Extreme humidity or dryness
can also be harmful to fabrics because of the damage
it can do to the upholstery.
When cleaning upholstery you should
follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s tag.
The tag uses codes to tell you what cleaning methods
are recommended. As with most spills it is important
to clean them as soon as possible to prevent the
stain from setting. Listed below are the codes
currently used by the upholstery industry:
W |
Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. You can spot-clean by using only the foam from a water-based cleaner (mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo). Spot test in an unobtrusive area; apply foam with a circular motion and a soft brush. |
S |
Vacuuming
and light dusting recommended. You can
spot-clean with water-free solvent or dry-cleaning
solution. Must clean in a well-ventilated
room and avoid any cleaning product with carbon
tetrachloride. Spot test in an unobtrusive
area. |
W-S |
Vacuuming and light dusting recommended. You can spot-clean with a mild solvent, upholstery shampoo or with the foam from a water-based cleaner. If using a solvent or dry-cleaning product, follow the directions carefully and use only in a well-ventilated room. Avoid any cleaning product with carbon tetrachloride. Spot test in an unobtrusive area. |
X |
Clean only by vacuuming and light dusting. Water and solvent cleaners may cause extreme shrinking, stains or disrupt the surface appearance. |
One of the best ways to take care of
your upholstered furniture is to purchase
a protection plan, like Protection 1st. It picks
up where the manufacturer’s warranty leaves off.
Manufacturers warranty against defects, but a
protection plan can help you take care of accidental
stains and damage. Stains caused by food, pets,
cosmetics or ink are covered for cleaning when
a plan is purchased. Damage in the form of punctures,
tears or burns can also be repaired under such
a plan. Some exclusions may apply, but a protection
plan will help ensure the value of your investment
nonetheless.
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