The quality of your home furniture can make or break your overall home aesthetic. Worn out pieces can make your home look dated, and they can also become a breeding ground for pests. This is why it’s vital to ensure that your furniture is kept in its best shape. Getting premier home furnishings should be a priority if you intend to have pieces that can last a lifetime. Here’s how you should maintain your furniture.
Maintaining Leather Furniture
When cleaning leather, it’s important to know what type of leather your furniture has. Aniline leather is unfinished leather, and this means that it has no protective coating except for a treatment to prevent dirt accumulation. Note that this material is prone to staining. On the other hand, semi-aniline leather is protected. It can repel stains and is more durable.
When caring for leather furniture, there is no need to come up with homemade cleaning solutions. Ideally, you should always go for materials that are recommended by tanneries. In most cases, you will only need distilled water, mild, non-detergent soap, and microfiber cloths. If you prefer using leather conditioners, the better. Note, however, that for unprotected leather, using a detergent is not ideal. You may clean the leather by using a damp cloth. For protected leather, it is best to avoid products that contain ammonia or any alkali compounds, as these can cause irreparable damage to the material.
Caring for Wood Furniture
Wood furniture is durable, and can last a lifetime. However, even the sturdiest pieces are still prone to scratches and abrasions. As such, caring for them should also be done regularly. This may include regular dusting to prevent dust from accumulating. For harder to remove stains, do not use all-purpose cleaners, as they can damage the finish. It would be best to use a cloth soaked in mild dish detergent. Remove the excess water and use the cloth to wipe the area. After wiping with soap, clear it out with a clean damp cloth. To help the wood furniture last longer, treating it with a protective layer works best. For abrasions, applying a scratch cover can hide deformities.
Protecting Rattan Furniture
Rattan and cane are among the most popular materials in the furniture industry, as they are light and less expensive compared to other materials. Rattan furniture is also durable whether for interior or exterior use. Native from Southeast Asia, rattan furniture uses simple maintenance works such as dusting it gently with a soft cloth. Cleaning it with a damp cloth is also useful, but be sure to dry the furniture well. It would be better to let it dry outdoors under the sun to keep its original form. Vacuums with a brush attachment will also be an effective way of cleaning rattan furniture, lifting it with utmost care to avoid splitting any fibers.
Preserving Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is a great accent piece to any home, as they add personality and charm. However, they are also prone to wear and tear if not properly cared for. It’s fairly tricky to clean wicker pieces since some of the dirt and dust can creep in the crevices. However, everyday cleaning may not be necessary, as it can hasten the fading. For resin wickers, cleaning it with soap and water can work wonders.
While they are sturdier than other wicker materials, they still need to be covered when not in use, particularly if placed outdoors. For delicate wicker pieces, such as those made with bamboo or willow, it would be best to brush it off or vacuum any surface dirt before washing and brushing it off with soapy water.
Now that you know how to care for your furniture, make sure to set a schedule to deep clean your pieces so that they will last longer in your care.