Furniture is an essential part of any commercial or residential space since they are both functional and aesthetic. The furniture industry continues to grow despite the global crisis, as trends like modern minimalism take center stage in the decluttering process. And while choosing furniture is enjoyable, maintenance is an entirely different story. Furniture pieces don’t come cheap, making basic furniture care a necessity. In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of furniture cleaning, along with some tips to help preserve the quality of your furniture pieces.
5 Ways To Clean Furniture
Furniture comes in different materials, which is why there is no single method to clean furniture. Before we go to some techniques you can try out for yourself, here are 5 professional sofa cleaning methods you should know about:
- Dry cleaning – This method can be used on fabric and wood materials. It involves the sprinkling of cleaning powder and a vacuum to remove the dirt. It doesn’t need to be dried, saving you time and effort.
- Steam heat extraction is an affordable method of cleaning dirt, dust, and other particles from the couch’s surface.
- Chemical cleaning – This cleaning method can be used on fabric and leather materials. It requires some drying time, and the chemicals are safe to use.
- Foam cleaning is usually done by hand and vacuum cleaned afterward. It still needs a little drying time and cannot be used immediately.
- Carbonation cleaning uses a solution that penetrates the fiber, effectively removing dirt from the couch. It takes at least 4 hours and leaves a protective surface on your sofa, so it doesn’t gather dirt and grime quickly.
How To Make Furniture Cleaners: DIY Hacks
Since furniture pieces have different materials, there is no universal cleaning solution. And since we can’t always get professional services, here are some DIY furniture cleaning solutions you can make at home.
DIY Furniture And Wood Polish
What you need:
- Citrus essential oils
- Castile soap
- Extra virgin olive oil
- White distilled vinegar
- Glass spray bottle
NOTE: A glass spray bottle is preferable since citrus essential oils may damage your plastic bottle.
How to do it:
- Put 1 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon castile soap, 1 cup white vinegar, 15 drops of citrus essential oils in your glass bottle, and make sure it is sealed.
- Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
- Spray it on the surface of the couch and wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
DIY Fabric Couch Cleaner
What you need:
- White distilled vinegar
- Warm water
- Castile soap
- Cloths
NOTE: A glass spray bottle is preferable since citrus essential oils may damage your plastic bottle.
How to do it:
- Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon castile soap, and 3/4 warm water into a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
- Spray it on the area.
- Scrub the surface gently with a clean cloth.
- Use a clean and damp cloth to wipe any suds off.
- Make sure it dries completely. You can let it air dry, or you can use a fan.
DIY Leather Couch Cleaner
What you need:
- Virgin olive oil
- Distilled white vinegar
- Cloths
Mix half a cup of virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle.
How to do it:
- Spray it on the surface.
- Use a clean cloth to buff the area.
TIP: You can also use a leather soap and cleaner instead.
5 Quick Furniture Maintenance Tips
Prevention is still better than cure if we want to prolong furniture lifespan. Here are 5 ways to care for your furniture:
- Dust, vacuum, or use a lint roller on your couch regularly, so it doesn’t accumulate dust and other small particles.
- Clean any mark or spill the moment you spot them and request professional assistance if needed.
- Condition your leather furniture at least twice a year to maintain its quality.
- Air dry damp furniture and steer away from fabric softeners.
- Keep odor away from furniture by airing them out.
PRO TIP: Learn to ask your furniture manufacturer for care and furniture maintenance instructions upon purchase.
Conclusion
Furniture cleaning is a responsibility we have to proactively take on ourselves. As aesthetic and functional pieces, well-maintained, clean furniture will last long enough for our full enjoyment. Learn more furniture maintenance tips here.