Cleaning the house is an activity that some love, while others dread it, especially when it comes to dealing with furniture. We often feel unequipped to tackle this task, thinking we don’t have the proper skills and equipment. But it doesn’t have to be like that – with the right techniques, your furniture will look as good as new. To help you with your mission, we have prepared a guide on how to clean different types of furniture. Make your items last longer, and your rooms shine!
Tips on how to clean different types of furniture
If you want to deep clean your house, dealing with furniture is one of the essential elements. You want to keep the pieces you have in good condition, which requires cleaning and proper care. But there are some guidelines to follow and various methods for different types of furniture. If you find a stain on your favorite couch or a watermark on the vintage table you hold close to your heart, you can find effective ways to fix it.
When you’re relocating, furniture can also get stained or damaged. For example, if you are moving long-distance from Texas to another state, it would be wise to hire a reliable moving company. If you find the right kind of assistance in Texas, you will minimize the damage to your valuable pieces because skilled movers will know how to handle your belongings properly.
Cleaning Upholstery
We often forget about cleaning upholstery because hidden dirt and dust can’t usually be seen with a naked eye. Once a spillage happens, and we need to clean it up, we are reminded of how important it is to keep freshening up our sofas and armchairs. Not only when we spill something, but regularly.
If you own a dog, you know that nearly every piece of furniture has the potential to become a pet bed. Deep cleaning upholstery, fabric furniture, and couches will get rid of pet odor and signs of any accidents your pup might have had on the material. When it comes to pet hair, we recommend vacuuming well and frequently – use the vacuum’s tools and the hose to get into the nooks and crannies.
A couch like this needs to be maintained often and properly to stay in a fresh condition.
Tips for cleaning and taking care of your upholstered furniture
- To prevent the fabric from fading, keep your upholstery out of direct sunlight.
- Don’t forget to vacuum the surfaces frequently, at least every week.
- When cleaning, start by removing the surface dirt.
- For spots and stains, use a white vinegar solution with equal parts water and vinegar and wipe it away using a microfiber cloth.
- To remove odors from your upholstery, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the surface, leave it overnight and vacuum it in the morning.
Pro tip: If your upholstered furniture has a label or a sticker on its underside, it will probably have markings of which cleaning products you are allowed to use:
W – only water-based cleaners
S or P – only cleaned with solvents (dry-clean)
SW or WS – either a water-based detergent or a solvent cleaner
X – no water or detergent; you need to get it professionally cleaned.
Cleaning Leather Furniture
Leather furniture is beautiful to have, but luxury often comes with a price. Leather pieces can be high maintenance and need special care to stay in good condition. We recommend using a premade leather conditioner and leather cleaners for this type of furniture to maintain the moisture and stop it from cracking. If you want a homemade solution, water and vinegar work great, too, with the addition of linseed oil. To remove stains, try a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water.
You must know how to clean different types of furniture because a leather piece always needs special care, especially if it’s a light color.
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Wooden furniture can be found in almost every home, but it needs to be taken care of properly to maintain its shine and stay in good condition. You should be careful with commercial cleaners because they can sometimes cause damage to the wood. A damp microfiber cloth can remove the sticky spots and smudges, and you can use a dry one for dusting. Remember to use coasters for your glasses and cups!
If you plan on relocating and have bulky wooden items, it might be best to have professional movers handle the job so your furniture doesn’t get scratched, stained, or ruined. If you have been browsing through Verified Movers and reading online reviews, it’s a good start for finding the best moving company for you.
Cleaning Painted Furniture
When you have a handcrafted or valuable painted piece of furniture, you want to take good care of it. Thankfully, cleaning painted furniture is not a difficult job. All you need to do is wipe it daily with a damp cloth or dust it. You don’t need any strong chemicals – dish soap and warm water, along with a microfiber cloth, are great for the job as they will actively remove all the grime and grease. Just remember to keep it away from water (an occasional spill is not that harmful) and away from heat since rapid changes in temperature cause damage to painted furniture over time.
Cleaning Wicker and Cane Furniture
These pieces quickly dry out, so it’s essential to keep them out of the Sun and away from heat sources (we know that is mainly outside furniture, so it might not be that easy). For cleaning wicker and cane furniture, start by dusting it off or vacuuming the surface. You should remove all the cushions and clean them separately. You can use an old toothbrush for all those crevices. Also, if you want to make a cleaning solution, mix dish soap and warm water. Your furniture should be as good as new!
Whether it’s a post-relocation cleaning or you just want to refresh your items, it’s always a good time to brush up your furniture. Hopefully, these tips on how to clean different types of furniture will make your job easier. Good luck and happy cleaning!
