Furniture Care
Proper care and cleaning of furniture
preserves
its beauty! We suggest the following:
Wood
Do not place your furniture over heating or air conditioning vents, in damp areas or in direct sunlight such as under
a window.
Avoid placing plastic, rubber or acrylic materials (stick-on feet, placemats, etc.) on your furniture since the chemicals
in these products may react with the finish and cause severe damage. It is better to use a piece of felt or cloth under accessories
that could scratch or dent the surface of your furniture.
Place a protective pad on the surface of your furniture if you are using it as a writing surface. Pens and pencils can
easily leave an imprint and mar the finish.
Immediately wipe any moisture that may spill onto your furniture. Always rub with the grain. Water will cause whites spots
in the finish in a short amount of time. Other liquids, such as finger nail polish & remover, alcohol, perfume, and medicines
can severely damage the finish of furniture.
Dust with a clean, lint-free, dry cloth. Applying a quality furniture polish every six months will also add to the life
and beauty of your new furniture!
Stone
Wipe up spills immediately.
Clean with a mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
Wicker
Vacuum gently or brush with a soft bristle brush.
Metal
Dust with dry or slightly-dampened cloth or a vacuum cleaner brush.
If soiled, wash with cloth or sponge wrung out of mild detergent and lukewarm water. Wipe with clean sponge or cloth wrung
out of water. Wipe dry with cloth to avoid water spots.
Fabric Care & Cleaning
Fabric selection
The useful life of upholstered furniture can be increased if the consumer follows a few simple fabric protection rules.
It is very important that a fabric be chosen that is appropriate for its intended use. For example, if velvet covers are available
in cotton, nylon and olefin, the nylon velvet might be appropriate for a large family for use in high traffic areas. The olefin
velvet could also take heavy use and would be an excellent choice for humid climates where mildew is a problem. The cotton
velvet has less abrasion and soiling resistance and so might be more appropriate for moderate activity areas.
Vacuuming
Weekly vacuuming or light brushing is a fabric care tip that helps to remove soil and protect fabric from the embedding
of dirt or grime between fibers which can increase abrasion and wear.
Cushion turning
The life of upholstered cushions can be increased through periodic turning. The weekly reversal
of loose cushions will allow even distribution of wear over a long period of time.
Fabric protection
Fabric protection helps to increase the useful life of upholstered furniture by protecting fabrics from soil and stains.
Some fabric protections are mill applied and others can be applied in the store.
A protective finish does not eliminate the necessity of proper fabric care. It modifies the absorbency and soil removal
characteristics of a fabric. It does not put a plastic cover on it. Loose dirt should be vacuumed and brushed away before
it becomes embedded and harder to remove. Spills and stains should be cleaned away quickly following manufacturer's fabric
care code instructions for furniture cleaning.
Fabric cleaning
Many furniture fabrics now carry the furniture industry's cleanability code adopted in 1969. It gives the consumer information
about the proper furniture cleaning methods for specific fabrics. There are four letters in the code, immediately followed
by furniture cleaning instructions. The code letters are W, S, W-S, and X.
Permanent furniture cleaning labels will normally be found under the seat cushion. When spot cleaning furniture, it is
always a good idea for consumers to first pretest the fabric for discoloration and shrinkage on an inconspicuous part of the
furniture. When overall furniture cleaning is required, professional furniture cleaning will often achieve the most satisfactory
results. Never remove cushion covers or arm caps for separate furniture cleaning. This may destroy the backing, cause shrinking
and create color changes.
Code "W"
To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is a recommended step in furniture
cleaning. Spot clean, using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery
shampoo product. Apply foam with a soft brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry. Pretest a small area before proceeding.
Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
Code "S"
To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot clean using
a mild water-free solvent or dry cleaning product containing carbon tetrachloride which is highly toxic. Pretest a small area
before proceeding. Furniture cleaning by a professional cleaning service only is recommended.
Code "W-S"
To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot clean, with
a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo, or the foam from a mild detergent. When using a solvent or dry cleaning product, follow
instructions carefully and clean only in a well ventilated room. Avoid any product which contains carbon tetrachloride which
is highly toxic. With either method, pretest a small area before proceeding. Use a professional furniture cleaning service
when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
Code "X"
Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam furniture
cleaners or solvent based furniture cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinking, staining or distortion of the
surface pile and, therefore, should not be used.