Home Furniture: Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping a house clean does not stop at dusting, vacuuming, mopping and doing windows. It also means cleaning everything that’s in it – mainly, the furniture. And sometimes, it’s not just enough to have everything spotless, special care and attention is also needed to maintain home furnishings in their best condition.

For the do-it-yourself kind of person, cleaning furniture on a regular basis is not as big a task as most people think. For best results, it is necessary to have a general knowledge of what material your home furnishings are made of. And, if there are spots or stains, it also helps to know what caused them.

There are various ways to clean home furniture that are made of wood. Here’s the one major tip for all DIY lovers: it’s not the type of wood that the furniture is made of, but the finish used that determines what kind of cleaning technique to use. Some wood furnishings are finished with wax, varnish or lacquer, some are painted or polished, and still some are au natural with an oil finish.

Painted, lacquered or polished wood may be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. To bring out its sheen, apply a light coat of furniture wax and buff. For wooden furniture with an oil finish, use an oil-based polish instead.

Cleaning is a breeze for furniture upholstered in leather or vinyl. Using a soapy solution, scrub the surfaces lightly with a soft bristled brush. Wipe off clean with a damp cloth. Leather may require some polishing with a special conditioner to retain its pliability and natural gloss.

Furniture upholstered in fabric are the most tedious to clean especially if they have gone through a spell of neglect. If the fabric is light colored, shampooing may bring out more stains not visible before. Spot cleaning, or cleaning up stains immediately as they happen, is the best option. Spray on any commercially available glass or carpet cleaner on the stain. Rub and scrub it into the fabric, then wipe and dry it off by pressing a clean absorbent cloth down on it.

For your home furniture to maintain its brand-new sheen, it also helps to be a little bit more careful by using coasters for glasses or avoiding spillages. But for households with pets or young children, stick to dark colored upholstery instead. Remember home furniture is used to show off your house, keep your home furniture clean and attractive for your family and impress your guests.