As appealing as it may be to have upholstered furniture in your home, they can be quite difficult to maintain and keep in pristine condition. Even when you are extra careful, dirt, spills, and stains are a part of life—your upholstered furniture will always be subject to wear and tear.
Getting upholstery cleaning services is key to extending the life of your furniture and maximising your investment. It gives your home a fresh new look and helps you maintain a clean and healthy environment.
But, after the professional cleaner finishes the job and leaves you with your furniture, it’s up to you to maintain it, at least until the next cleaning schedule. Check out these tips on how you can keep your upholstery in its best condition for longer.
Dust settles on everything in your home, including your upholstery. Vacuuming it regularly will help avoid the build-up of unwanted dirt, dust, dander, and other allergens. The longer you delay this task, the deeper these particles will penetrate its fibres and act as an abrasive that can prematurely wear out the material. As a rule of thumb, clean your furniture at least once a week.
Plump your cushions after each use, preferably at the end of each day to retain their shape. This is particularly helpful with cushions filled with feathers and/or fibres because they’re not as resilient as foam. Also, flip your cushions periodically to ensure even wear. For the same reason, you may also want to rotate your cushions—some seats just get more usage than the others.
Spot treat any spills and stains immediately—the longer you wait, the higher the risk of stains becoming permanent. Always test in an inconspicuous area before using any product and read the manufacturer’s instructions to know what type of cleaner to use. Apply gently in a circular motion, working your way into the fibres. Vacuum when dry and repeat the process when necessary.
Position your furniture away from exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods. It means keeping it away from uncovered windows, which would also be helpful to protect them from other elements such as rainwater spray and airborne pollutants e.g. smoke and fumes. Over time, all these factors can fade the material and even cause it to fray.
A good circulation of air in your home can help control odours and other air pollutants, which your furniture can otherwise easily absorb. It also helps rid of moisture—while some water will not easily damage your furniture, letting it stay for too long can dampen it and cause damage to its finish and the wood. Improving ventilation indoors can be as simple as opening the windows, running the exhaust fans, and pointing a fan to an open window.
On top of your regular maintenance, consider hiring a sofa cleaning service in Singapore to deep-clean your furniture. It is something vacuuming alone cannot achieve. Plus, there are some stains on your upholstery that only professional methods can effectively remove.
Don’t wait to get your upholstered furniture to get visibly dirty. Schedule an upholstery cleaning service with Clean Care at least every six months to maintain the aesthetic appeal and extend the life of your sofas and chairs.
Got other upholstery maintenance tips to share? Leave a comment below.
Maintenance is key to keeping your upholstery clean. Vacuum its surface regularly and make sure to spot-treat stains immediately.
Experts recommend deep cleaning your upholstered sofas and chairs twice a year, even before they get visibly dirty.
While you can DIY upholstery cleaning, there are risks involved such as overwetting your furniture. This can result in mould and mildew growths that can create an unhealthy environment for your family and it may not just be worth the risk.