Whether you’ve invested in the timeless elegance of wooden furniture, embraced the cosiness of fabric pieces, or chosen the sophistication of leather seating, taking care of your furniture is essential to maintain its beauty and extend its lifespan.
At Pine & Oak, our wooden furniture boasts exquisite finishes, while our fabric and leather pieces offer both comfort and style. However, each type of furniture requires specific care to keep it looking its best over time. In this blog, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive set of tips and tricks to ensure your furniture remains in pristine condition, from the diligent dusting of wooden surfaces to the delicate care of the fabric and the luxurious maintenance of leather.
To discover how to preserve the charm of your furniture and create an inviting living space that speaks volumes about your attention to detail and style, read on!
Wooden Furniture Care
At Pine & Oak, all our wooden furniture has a wax, lacquer, or oiled finish, which brings out the beauty of the wood. While these finishes add a protective barrier to the wood, your furniture still requires proper care to keep it looking its best – here are our top tips for taking care of your wooden furniture:
- Dust Regularly – dust can accumulate quickly on furniture surfaces, dulling the finish and creating a layer of grime, so dust regularly to keep your furniture looking new.
Use a soft cloth, such as a microfibre, to gently remove dust and dirt. Make sure to clean the nooks and crannies, where dust often hides.
- Clean Spills Quickly – spills can easily damage furniture if left to sit for too long. Clean up spills as soon as they occur – use a damp cloth to wipe away the spill, then immediately dry the area with a soft cloth. This will prevent the spill from penetrating the finish and causing stains.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat Sources – furniture is sensitive to sunlight and heat. Exposure to these elements can cause the wax to start to fade, crack or become brittle.
To protect your furniture, avoid placing it in direct sunlight or near heat sources, such as fireplaces or radiators. If you do place your furniture in a sunny area, use window treatments, such as blinds or curtains, to block the sun’s rays.
- Use Coasters and Place Mats – scratches can easily mar the surface of finished furniture, so to protect your furniture from scratches, use coasters or place mats whenever you place drinks or dishes on it.
This will prevent the finish from becoming scratched and ensure that it remains in pristine condition.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals, Solvents, and Abrasives – Harsh chemicals, solvents, and abrasives can damage the furniture finish – to avoid damage, avoid using these products and opt instead for gentler cleaning solutions. For tough stains, consider using a solution of water and mild soap.
- Re-Apply Wax as Needed – over time, the wax finish on your furniture may become dull and lacklustre. To restore its shine and protect the finish, it may be necessary to re-apply wax. This will help to keep your furniture looking its best for years to come.
Fabric furniture Care
Fabric furniture can offer a comfortable and cosy look to your home, but it requires a bit of extra care to keep it looking its best. Some of our furniture contains a variety of types of fabric, so it is important to take time to regularly maintain your fabric furniture to extend its life and keep your furniture and home looking fresh and new.
- Pre-treat your fabric furniture with an upholstery protector – even if the fabric is covered in something specifically designed to resist stains, being proactive towards keeping your furniture clean will increase its life expectancy.
- Regularly vacuum – use a soft brush vacuum attachment or a handheld vacuum to remove dust, dirt, and pet hair that can accumulate in the fabric, as a build-up of dirt can cause permanent damage. Use the vacuum’s nozzle to get into corners and crevices where dust and dirt can hide.
- Spot cleaning – despite anyone’s best efforts, accidents and dirt marks can happen. To spot clean, use a mild detergent and warm water on a soft cloth. Blot the spot gently until the stain is gone. Do not scrub or rub the fabric too hard, as this can damage the fabric’s fibres.
- Brushing – brush your fabric furniture with a soft brush to restore the fabric’s original, raised pattern. This will help the fabric look more uniform and keep it from accumulating more dirt. Don’t brush too hard, as this can cause damage.
Leather furniture Care
Much like fabric furniture, taking some care with your leather furniture will ensure the leather continues to look fresh and last a long time.
- Regular dusting & vacuuming – dust your leather furniture with a clean dry microfiber cloth. For more stubborn dust, very lightly dampen the cloth with water. Don’t let the water soak into the leather.
- Use leather conditioner – this is recommended every 6 – 12 months to help prevent the leather from cracking and keep it looking great for longer (Check with the leather furniture manufacturer before applying any product).
- Watch out for sharp objects – even objects like jewellery, belts, and buckles can cause harm to your sofa, it isn’t just pet claws! If your leather furniture falls victim to scratches, you can mask the damage by buffing them with a chamois.
- Keep it plump – an easy way to maintain the appearance of your leather sofas is by regularly plumping and rotating the cushions. This will extend the life and improve the performance of your furniture.
- Blot, don’t wipe – if you get a stain on your leather furniture, don’t wipe it as it can cause the stain to spread further. Instead, get a porous cloth like a kitchen towel and blot to absorb the moisture.
By following the tips and tricks above for wooden, fabric, and leather furniture, you’ll not only protect your investments but also contribute to the longevity and vitality of your pieces.
Remember that the care you provide today will leave a lasting impression on the tomorrow of your furniture, ensuring that it continues to shine, comfort, and delight for years to come.
And if you’re looking for new furniture pieces to cherish, why not check out our wide range of furniture here?
