A guide to furniture cleaning

Keeping your furniture clean through regular and systematic cleaning, is a fairly simple task particularly when it is combined with routine maintenance and care for each piece of your furniture. Any spills should be mopped up immediately as this should prevent unnecessary staining. Read the guide below to discover all that you need to know about furniture cleaning.

Wooden furniture

Regular cleaning If you clean your wooden furniture regularly with a soft cloth and a little furniture polish, then this regular dusting should be all that you need to do to maintain the general cleanliness and overall look of your wooden furniture. Monthly cleaning On a monthly basis, using a soft lint-free cloth, apply a little furniture polish that is designed for wooden products. Rub the surfaces of the wood in the direction of the grain until you achieve a shine. Most wooden furniture polish is either oil based or wax based. For the best results, you should always use the same type of polish. Removing of built-up dirt Should your wooden furniture have a build up of dirt, then use a non-abrasive soap cleaner to remove this layer. Pour a little soap onto a soft clean cloth and rub this into the dirt. Use a different cloth to remove the dirty layer and to wipe up any residue formed by cleaning.

Upholstery

Weekly care One should vacuum upholstered furniture on a weekly basis using the correct attachments designed for each task. Ensure that all areas beneath and between each cushion and the sides, and back receive an adequate cleaning. Spills Wipe up any spills as soon as they happen with an absorbent cloth to avoid any permanent or difficult to remove stains. Stains Should you have any stains, the best way to remove them is with an upholstery cleaner. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer and take care not to use too much as this may saturate the fabric of your upholstered furniture. If it does become too wet, simply blot the excess with clean towels until you have absorbed the excess amount.

Leather

Regular cleaning and care Use a soft damp cloth to remove any build up of dust. When using leather care products, avoid those that contain oil, wax or silicone as these are mostly suitable for unfinished leather products. Cleaning dirty leather Any leather that requires a more thorough clean should be first cleaned with a solution of detergent and a little water. Wipe this into the area to be cleaned until a lather has formed. Wipe this away with a fresh clean cloth and finally wipe the area until it is dry.