A clean home is always a happy place to live. However, cleaning can be tiring and tricky. With many nooks and crannies to tidy up, it can quickly feel like a chore. To give you a head start, experts advise to start with your furniture. It is one of the most neglected areas when cleaning, that is why dirt can quickly pile up on it.
When your furniture is clean, your house will instantly feel fresh and brand new. Here are some tips on how to clean your furniture at home:
Know Your Type of Furniture
Different types of furniture require different instructions for cleaning. If you are unsure, search on the internet for a reliable site to give you a run-down on the kind of furniture that you have in your home or follow the specific manufacturer’s care instructions that come with your type of furniture when you bought it.
Wipe Immediately
Wiping after a mess is a rule of thumb for expert cleaners. As soon as a spill or a stain happens on any type of furniture, wipe it off immediately. Doing this will prevent the discharge from becoming harder to clean and saves you time.
Start By Dusting
Your handy-dandy feather duster is your starting point when cleaning. Start first by removing all dust that has accumulated in your furniture. Going through a quick dust-off does the trick.
Dusting regularly (at least once a week) is also recommended for all sorts of indoor sofas and couches. For outdoor furniture, at least twice a week is recommended, because of its direct exposure to dust and dirt.
Test Products On Small Areas First
Before using any cleaning product that is new to you – whether homemade or commercial – test it out on a small area to see if it works. Do not make the mistake of applying these cleaners on a whole piece of furniture without even testing it first, as this can lead to even more significant damage.
Clean Your Patio Furniture
Outdoor furniture can easily become untidy because of its exposure to dust. If you have pets, grime and other dirt can also settle in. To give your patio tables and chairs a quick clean, you can create your cleaner by mixing dish soap with warm water and rinse it off with water again afterward.
Remove Water Stains
It is always imperative to use a coaster – be it for cold or hot drinks. But sometimes, we forget to do so. Doing this can create marks because of water rings from your mugs and glasses. All you have to do is to rub some toothpaste on those spots and wipe with a soft cloth.
Clean Your Painted Furniture Weekly
Painted furniture is the easiest trick in cleaning. All you have to do is dust its surface and wipe with a damp cloth on a weekly basis so that you can preserve its look.
Here are some other tips on how to clean your painted furniture:
- Be sure that you won’t leave any wet marks from cleaning. These marks can become permanent and will be hard to remove.
- For any problematic marks, try to sand it off. But, remember to be gentle as sanding too hard will also make the paint peel off.
- If there is an area in the furniture that you need to re-paint, it is best to do the whole piece instead. Re-painting is especially practical if you are no longer sure about what the original color was. Cleaning experts suggest that you should finish off your paint job with oil so that you can keep its color for a longer time.
Take Note Of This Cheat Sheet For Fabric Sofas
Before you do any major cleaning or wash-ups on your fabric sofa, check the tags first. Always stick to the cleaning instructions on the label, as not doing so can lead to more damage to your couch.
These acronyms usually mean the following:
- W – You can clean using water;
- S – You need to clean using a solvent-based cleaner that you can easily purchase from groceries or hardware stores;
- WS – You can use either water or your solvent-based cleaner;
- X – Vacuum only.
Don’t Forget To Polish
Sometimes, all your hardwood furniture needs is a little polishing. Ask your hardware store about what type of wood polish works best with the type of furniture that you have. Always work in the same direction as the grain.
Now that you have all these tips and tricks in mind, you can start cleaning your furniture with ease. Regular cleaning will help avoid dirt and grease build-up that will make your job even harder. When you keep your furniture neat regularly, you can preserve its quality (and look) as well. When you take good care of your furniture, it is an investment worth making as it can last many years.
