How To Clean The Upholstery On Your Furniture

BY Richard Ribbing

Upholstery cleaning is inexpensive and an often neglected part of general home maintenance. Most people underestimate the amount of dirt contained in their furniture. Does the fabric on your furniture look drab, dull or downright dirty? Furniture is subjected to an array of soils on a daily basis. Understanding upholstery and how to care for your furniture is essential .


Like so many things in your home, every piece of upholstered furniture is unique and requires special care. There are different types of cleaning methods for different fabrics. Different fabrics have different cleaning codes. The best thing you can do when you buy your new sofa or chair is to find out what the manufacturer recommends for all purpose upholstery cleaning. If that is not available you should be able to find out the cleaning code.

Cleaning Codes

W-WATER BASED CLEANER
Spot clean using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo product. Many household solvents are harmful to the color and life of the fabric. Apply foam with a soft brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry.

WS-WATER SOLVENT CLEANER
Spot clean with a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo, or the foam from a mild detergent. When using a solvent or dry cleaning product, follow instructions carefully and clean only in a well ventilated room. Avoid any product that contains carbon tetrachloride or other toxic products.

S-SOLVENT CLEANER
Spot clean using a mild water-free solvent or dry-cleaning product. Clean only in a well ventilated room and avoid any product containing carbon tetrachloride or other toxic products.Th use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains may become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents.

X-VACUUM ONLY
Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust and grim. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinkage or fading.

If you don't know the cleaning code on your sofa or chair, this is one of the safest ways to clean it yourself. Vacuum your furniture on a regular basis. Try to wipe up any spills as soon as they occur. For a light cleaning use a foam upholstery cleaner, woolite is an excellent choice. When using a foam cleaner you will not get the fabric overly wet. Always try any cleaner on a part of the furniture where it will not be noticeable. This will let you check for color fastness, and to also make sure that it is not going to cause any damage to your furniture. When you are done cleaning the upholstery. Inspect it to see if you have any spots or stains remaining. If there are any you can use a spot remover. I recommend Goddards Spot Remover. This product is easy to use. All you have to do is spray it on the spot or stain that you want to clean. Let it dry completely, usually takes a few minutes. When it is completely dry, it will turn to a white powder. All you have to do is take a brush and brush it off. If the stain doesn't come out completely, you just have to repeat the process until it's completely removed.

In conclusion, regular upholstery cleaning of your sofa or chair is required for long lasting as well as good looking upholstery. In most cases, normal upholstery cleaning is not enough to remove pet urine stains and odors. When overall upholstery cleaning is required, professional cleaning will often achieve the most satisfactory results. To find a qualified cleaning company, I recommend calling your local dry cleaning store. They are in the cleaning business, and can often recommend a qualified upholstery cleaning company.

The benefits of slipcovers

Have you considered using slipcovers on your furniture? They can keep your furniture in excellent condition for years to come. Slipcovers can be custom made, or they are available ready made to fit many different styles of furniture.. Fabric selection could be a light weight cotton, or you can use a heavier weight upholstery fabric. Also you can use a plain or a printed fabric, the choices are unlimited.

Here are some some of the benefits I like about slipcovers . You can change the look of your room depending on the season. Use a plain fabric in the winter months, and a floral in the summer. Slipcovers are also excellent for preventing your furniture from being soiled or stained. If you have children, you know how hard it is to keep your furniture looking nice. I don't even want to mention what your pets might do to your furniture. Also a piece of furniture sitting in front of a window can be protected from the sun, and can keep the original fabric from fading or being damaged.

Slipcovers can also bring an old sofa or chair back to life. If you have a sofa or chair, that the condition seems to be in decent shape, it might be worthwhile to slipcover it. If the cushions are in poor condition, you should replace the foam. You can do this yourself, or take them to an upholstery shop and have it done..Another thing to look at is the deck underneath the cushions. If it doesn't seem to be as firm as it should be, the webbing on the underside of the sofa or chair might have to be replaced. Over time it stretches, and doesn't give the springs the support that's needed. Even with the cost of the slipcover, new cushions and webbing, it should be a lot less than replacing your favorite piece of furniture.

Over the years, of being in the upholstery business I've seen all of these problems. That's why in my opinion it is beneficial to use slipcovers.

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Leather Furniture Care:
Gary Bracken

Leather Furniture Tips and Care

Leather upholstered furniture used to only be for the wealthy. They were usually large stately pieces that featured extensive button tufting and the characteristic brass nails at the front of the arms. Almost all pieces were very dark in color and had shiny glazed finishes. That is no longer true in the furniture industry today. Manufacturers of leather furniture have successfully convinced the general public that leather furniture is attainable for most people. Leather has become so popular that we would benefit by being better informed regarding the terms that are being used and the proper placement and care of contemporary leather upholstered furniture.

Without exception leather is the most durable and long lasting fabric covering that has ever been used. Leather lasts 4 to 5 times longer than any other upholstered fabric. It is fire resistant, does not crack or peel, resists heat and sun, wears gracefully by becoming more supple with age and it holds its color fastness. Generally you can not go wrong purchasing fine leather furniture but it is wise to be informed before you buy.

Placement of Leather Furniture

The placement of your leather furniture is very important to ensure years of service. Do not place leather furniture too close to a radiator, fireplace or a direct heat source, even a heater vent. Maintain at least 2 feet between any heat source and the piece.

Avoid placing your leather furniture in direct sunlight. This will also dry out your leather and cause it to fade. Although leather is the most durable covering available anything exposed to direct sunlight will fade over time.

Whenever possible position your leather furniture away from high traffic areas that may be susceptible to family members or visitors who will inadvertently rub against it. This may seem trivial but leather that is continuously will show marks that may not be able to be removed by conditioners. The best policy is to place leather furniture at the far end of the footpath. This way you can display its beauty more openly and at the same preserve its look.

Care of Leather Furniture

Weekly - Dusting your leather weekly is very important to keep leather pores free from dust particles. Simply wipe it with a soft cloth. Dont under estimate this seemingly small task; it goes a long way in the long term care of your leather. We will discuss more thorough cleaning next but remember not to neglect the weekly maintenance.

Spot Cleaning - As always the quicker you get to a spot or stain the greater success you will have. Most spills of food and beverages should be wiped up using a damp cloth with a light detergent soap, such as liquid hand soap.

All other stains such as ink marks, grease, blood, urine, wax or gum should be removed using a professional leather cleaner. Just follow the instructions that come with the product. It is a good idea to have a good leather cleaner on hand so that you will be able to address the problem immediately after it happens.

Quarterly - When you first place your new leather furniture be sure to use a high quality leather conditioner/preservative to protect it and keep the leather supple. You should fully clean your leather furniture four times per year using quality leather cleaner. Pay special attention to wear surfaces, arms, backs and seats. After a thorough cleaning always re-apply the conditioner/protectant to ensure many years of trouble free service from your leather furniture.

About the Author:
Greg Brandon maintains a site dedicated to leather bags, couches, furniture and the proper care of leather at www.andante-leather.com

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Why a Microfiber Sofa Might Be Just What You Are Looking For

Why a Microfiber Sofa Might Be Just What You Are Looking For
By Andrew Caxton

When it comes to decorating and buying furniture for the living room, a sofa is undoubtedly the most important piece of furniture you can purchase. It provides somewhere for the whole family to sit and either entertain or watch television and it also comes in extremely useful when you just want to relax after a hard days work!

Choosing the Right Sofa for You

As the sofa is fairly important within the home, it is vital that you choose one which is right for you. There are quite a few to choose from and that makes choosing a style to suit you fairly easy if you know what you are looking for.

You need to decide whether you want an ordinary sofa or one which converts into a bed. Sofabeds also come in a variety of styles to suit you so if you are looking for one, again you shouldn’t find it too difficult. Generally a sofabed will come as a large two seater or a three seater sofa. This is because most sofabeds tend to come in a double size but there may be some which convert into single beds, they are just not as common as the double sizes are.

One sofa which you might want to consider is a Microfiber sofa. These types of sofas are extremely good because they help to cut down the costs of cleaning expenses. However, it is important to know that Microfiber sofas do need specialist cleaning products as ordinary ones contain bleach or fabric softener which will break down the Microfiber over time. The cost of cleaning is still lower than an ordinary sofa however so it is still an advantage.

With this advantage in mind, it is easy to see why more and more people are choosing Microfiber sofas. After a hard days work nobody wants to have to spend hours cleaning their sofa. With the Microfiber sofa you really don’t have to and it is one of the easiest sofas to maintain without a doubt. Microfiber is around one hundred times finer than human hair and it provides a really soft surface when combined together. So, Microfiber sofas tend to be soft and they are highly recommended for allergy sufferers as the fabric does not leave any dust or lint lying around.

Overall a Microfiber sofa is definitely something you should consider but there are other styles and types of sofa available if you would prefer.

Andrew Caxton contributes editing long articles on home ideas and microfiber furniture for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com You can find more information and resources on microfiber sofa at his website.

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Easy way to remove spots and stains on furniture

One of the easiest ways I have found to remove stains on furniture, is a product called Goddards Spot Remover. Very easy to use. It comes in a spray can. I don't know if it is that easy to find locally? I found it on the Internet. Just do a search for Goddards Spot Remover.

The one thing I liked about this product is it's easy to use. Just spray it on the stain that you want to clean. Let it dry completely, usually takes a few minutes. When it is completely dry, it will turn to a white powder. All you have to do is take a brush and brush it off. If the stain doesn't come out completely, you just have to repeat the process until it's completely removed.

This product is safe to use on a lot of different fabrics, even silk. Just to be on the safe side, I always try it on an area that isn't going to be noticed. It will lift stains from the fabric without leaving a ring. I've even used it on clothing.

I've had good luck with most stains. The stains I've had the hardest times with , are dried blood and magic marker.

Sofa Furniture, Choose it Stylish and Durable

Sofa Furniture, Choose it Stylish and Durable
By Angel Abdulnor

There is no denying that sofa is probably the most important piece of furniture in any household and as a result, it has the greatest range of styles and qualities available for purchase.

As there are many styles, it may actually be easier to first categorize them into either sectional or sleeper types which could be further divided by using the styles of their backs which normally done in four styles: tight back, attached pillow back, loose pillow back and multi pillow back.

Tight back sofas have a very firm seat and one must sit upright as they don't have supporting pillow. It is suitable for people who do not have much time as the fabric normally used for this type of sofas is very easy to clean and additionally, there are no pillows to straighten.

Attached pillow back sofas have softer seats and backs because the filled pillows are sewn into the backs of the sofas to prevent them to move around. However, as the pillows are permanently attached, it is more difficult to clean and 'hide' if they got stained.

Sofas that have loose pillow backs have the same number of seat and back cushions. The back cushions are normally reversible and can be unzipped for re-stuffing and cleaning purposes. The comfort of this type of sofas depends on the quality and firmness of the stuffing of the seat and back cushions as well as the depth of the sofa itself.

Multi pillow back sofas are also referred as scatter back sofas and they have a larger number of back pillows than seat pillows, which can be casually scattered all over the sofas to create a casual looks. This type of sofas is usually more comfortable as the size of the sofas tend to be larger and deeper than other types.

Furthermore, they can also be classified by the types of skirts (dressmaker or boxpleat), arms (roll arm, Charles of London and tuxedo arm), and base treatments (upholstered foot and plinth base).

Choosing the right type of sofa according to your lifestyle is highly advisable to get the maximum comfort out of it. For example, if the owner likes to lie down near the sofa, then it makes more sense to choose a sofa with arms that have lower pads than a high tuxedo arm.

Fabric of the sofa also plays a very important role, not only it must have a pleasant color and pattern, it must also be durable and easy to clean, as the cost of replacement in case of accidental damages could come close to a whole new sofa.

Sofa Furniture
Room Deco offers a wide selection of home furniture, office furniture, sofa furniture and retro furniture.

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The best way to shop online for furniture

By Richard Ribbing


Buying furniture online is one of the best ways of saving money on your furniture purchases. Online retailers don't have to pay for a brick and mortar storefront, or keep a staff of salespeople. Saving on these expenses, they can pass the savings on to their customers.


Some of you might be reluctant to buy furniture online. It's hard to imagine how it's going to to suit you. You can't sit down on it and try it out. How do you know if the sofa or chair is going to be comfortable? What about the construction, fabric, or other concerns you might have. It's hard to tell all of these things from looking at a picture.

One of the best ways that I have found is comparison shopping. Visit the different stores in your area. There you can you can get a better idea of the different brands of furniture. Check out fabrics, construction, comfort. Ask the salesperson any questions about the different pieces of furniture you are considering. Pick up brochures if they are available, and check out prices.. Very similar to shopping for an automobile.

When you get home and get on the Internet, you should have an idea of what manufacturer you are most comfortable with. Do a search for furniture online. You should come up with various online stores that carry that brand. Most online stores have a qualified staff on hand. You can talk to somebody on the phone about any information you would like to find out about. Most of them will send you a swatch of fabric, if you request one..

Now you can compare prices and their customer service polices. Find out about there return polices, just in case you were to run into any problems. Check on the amount you are going to pay for shipping. This has to be figured in to the final price. Online retailers have different ways they calculate the shipping charges.

All of these points considered, you should be happy with your furniture purchase, and the amount of money you saved.

Sofa Beds: Can You Have Taste And Function?
Amy

Sofa beds are designed to fill the needs that you have in having extra space available for guests and for when someone cant sleep in their own bed. But, one of the largest drawbacks that people face when purchasing one is that they dont always look like the nicest couches to have in your living room. Or, you may find one that just doesnt have enough comfort to really be considered anything more than a sofa. Is it possible to get what you need and want in a sofa bed? It is, especially when you know what to look for in them.

Function And Comfort

First, take into consideration the comfort that a sofa bed has to offer to you. You should be able to enjoy the comfort of this bed by trying it out. If you walk into a showroom and they dont encourage you to pull out the sofa bed and actually get a chance to lay on it, leave. Would you purchase a standard type of bed without first being able to lay down on it? You probably would not do that and it makes sense to try out this bed too. Thats especially important when you know youll have guests that have hip or back pain.

If you cant find a sofa bed that provides you with the stability that you need, take into consideration adding a mattress topper to it. You can purchase these in a wide range of materials including foam. They can help to add support and comfort to your bed so that it is more enjoyable to sleep on even when the bed itself isnt that great of a choice.

Style Too?

If you are shopping for a sofa bed for your home, you obviously want to use it as a bed. But, youll probably have it out and used as a sofa for most of the time. Therefore, it is important to enjoy the style of the sofa as well the material that its made from. Just as you are shopping for a sofa, you want to find these qualifications so that you can truly enjoy the look and cut of your sofa. The good news is that you should be able to have your sofa bed custom built for you if you cant find just what you are after. Not only can the color and material of the sofa change, but so can the style and size of the furniture. You can even purchase these as part of an entire living room set, if you like.

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice for the sofa bed for your home. But, remember, you dont have to sacrifice your back or your homes dcor for a sofa bed. You can create an elegant and even comfortable living space with these units! Take the time to shop around and compare whats out there. Dont settle, though. You dont have to settle when you can have your own piece of furniture custom made for you.

About the Author:
For important information from Amy about choosing a child bed click the link.

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