Furniture care and maintenance - Part 1: Upholstery

GENERAL UPHOLSTERY CARE

So, you got this newly upholstered piece of furniture, but how do you make it last? As with most things, the way to best care for your furniture varies depending on your type of household.  

Restored vintage egg chair in luxurious Japanese wave velvet from Linwood.

Furniture should be arranged to avoid touching walls or heat sources to prevent damage from heat and moisture. As a general rule, it is recommended to lightly vacuum the furniture every week to get rid of dirt, dust, hair etc. and rotating reversible cushions frequently. Adding this simple step to your cleaning process will extend the life of your furniture significantly. Colours on textiles are also prone to light fading. Exposure to direct sunlight will damage fibres as well as dull colours, over time this will make the fibres brittle and cause them to break. Avoid direct sun where possible or hang protective curtains.

PILING

Pilling may occur as a result of normal everyday use. It is a natural occurrence when loose fibres on the surface begins to twist. Pills can be removed with a small, electric ‘de-piller’ and will not damage the fabric. For more information head to our blog post: Fabric Pilling

OVERALL CLEANING

How often your furniture needs cleaning will depend on your personal use and household. As a general recommendation most family room sofas should receive proper cleaning every 12 months. With furniture that sees ‘normal wear’, a yearly cleaning will preserve and enhance wool/ wool blend upholstery.

Furniture that might be near food and beverages may need cleaning more often, as well as ones used by children and pets. It is important to make sure you use the right cleaners for your upholstery as the wrong one might cause fading, staining etc. Only use products designed for upholstery, and avoid any cleaners made for hard surface cleaning like ammonia, soap or bleach. Some fabrics and covers can be washed in the washing machine, however this depends on the type of textile and the backing used. If unsure, always use a cold wash cycle and non-dyed detergent. Avoid dryers.

SPILLS & STAINS

With small spills and stains, time is of essence and spot cleaning should be the first step. Most stains can be avoided if treated right away. Most stains can be cleaned with water, upholstery shampoo or a suitable spot cleaner. Do not leave stains to dry as this will make them harder to clean. Wipe up any excess liquid or solids, and with the right product work from the edge of the stain inwards to avoid spreading. 

SPOT CLEANING

Warwick has designed their own stain remover, Halo, which is suitable for all upholstered surfaces. Simply spray onto a cloth (avoid spraying directly on to the furniture) and press to remove. Rubbing should be avoided as this worsen the stain. Once the stain is removed, use a damp cloth with water to blot gently. Repeat is necessary.

Halo is available to purchase in our shop.

If you do not have a stain remover, here are some of the recommendations from Warwick on how to deal with the most common stains:

INK- Moisten with warm glycerine. Leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Blot with water and dry quickly. Upholstery shampoo can also be used for this.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES- After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

COFFEE & TEA- Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

BLOOD- After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

CHEWING GUM- Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden it, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what’s left, use dry cleaning fluid.

For more information on how to remove stains from ice cream, grease, urine and more, please see Warwick’s cleaning guide.

Images:@ Dida Sundet Photography