Your office furniture an investment; it only makes sense to take care of it properly so that it will remain attractive and functional for years to come. Your office furniture probably has a variety of different fabrics and materials. Common upholstery fabrics include leather, vinyl, textured cotton, microfiber and nylon. Less common fabrics include silk, wool, velvet and linen. All of the fabrics and materials need appropriate care to stay clean and attractive. Many furniture pieces are made of wood, which needs special care. That’s why it’s important to learn how to care for your furniture in the right way. This will prevent scratches, fading, wear and color change.
You can do a few simple things on a regular basis that will make a big difference when it comes to taking care of upholstery. Remove cushions and pillows and fluff them so they appear fresh. If the seat cushions are removable, rotate them regularly. You can also vacuum your furniture regularly to remove dust and debris. Be sure to use the upholstery brush attachment.
Stains may occasionally occur. When this happens, you’ll need to spot treat the stains. Before you do this, you should always spot test the cleaner to make sure it won’t damage the color or fabric of the furniture. Find an unexposed part of the fabric and test your cleaner there to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric. If it doesn’t, you can proceed with cleaning the furniture. What kind of cleaner should you use? It’s best to use something gentle that has few chemicals and is non-toxic. You can find many green products that will remove stains without harming the environment. There are many cleaners that are specifically made for upholstery which makes them a good choice.
One of things you can do to prevent stains on upholstery is to buy furniture that has Teflon protection. Teflon prevents stains and makes them easier to clean. Teflon fights of stains without negatively affecting the fabric’s color, look, color or feel. It works on cotton, silk and cotton brands. Liquids will bead and fall off the fabric, which makes it much easier to clean up spills. You can also apply Scott Guard to older or traditional fabrics.
Some stains are too large or difficult to remove on your own. In these cases, you should call in a professional cleaner. You should also do this occasionally when entire pieces of furniture appear dirty. Don’t wash the pieces of the furniture you can remove, like the pillows, on their own. The washable pieces will fade and the pieces won’t match one another. Instead, either spot clean or call in professional cleaner.
People used to clean wood with polishes that contained silicone-based wax. Today, furniture experts advise against this. For regular cleaning and dusting, use a slightly damp and soft cloth/microfiber towel. After you clean the surface, dry it with a dry soft cloth/microfiber towel so the wood won’t bubble or crack over time. No chemicals are necessary.
Fading is a common problem with all kinds of furniture. Sometimes, only part of the furniture fades, which gives the furniture an uneven look. The best way to prevent this is to keep furniture away from direct sunlight. Wood should also be kept away from heating vents. If you can’t place the furniture piece away from sunlight, install window coverings to block the sun from the furniture.
If you follow the right instructions for each kind of fabric and material, you’ll have great results. You can be proud of the appearance of all of your belongings. Plus, you will preserve the investment you’ve made.
