Replacing furniture can get expensive. Maintaining and refreshing your indoor and outdoor furniture can save you money. Here are some tips you for refreshing and maintaining your furniture.
This how-to guide will help you start maintaining our furniture properly
Does your furniture have layers of grime? Then it’s best to start with a general cleaning:
- Gently sweep surfaces using a soft-bristle brush and rinse with water.
- Combine 1/4 cup mild dishwashing liquid with one gallon of warm water. Use a sponge or a soft-bristle brush to scrub the furniture’s surface thoroughly. Rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. We like the JAWS Microfiber Cloths.
- Do not power wash or use chlorine bleach, pine oil, or abrasive cleansers unless directed by the manufacturer.
Test new solutions on a hidden area first.
Maintaining wood furniture
Rosie on the House Certified Partner, Irwin’s Furniture Restoration, offers the following tips to keep wood furniture looking its best. These tips work for indoor and outdoor wood furniture.
Vacuum so you have a clean area to work with. Make sure all dust is removed before next steps, so you don’t scratch the wood. Using a 100 percent cotton or soft microfiber cloth, dab it with a light amount of furniture oil. Wipe in the direction of the grain. Wipe off lightly with a damp, soft cloth to remove debris. Then go back over with another coat of furniture oil.
Use pure oil such as Mohawk to clean and dust. Steer clear of aerosol products. They contain added chemicals, which are harmful to the furniture’s finish. For outdoor wood furniture Don Irwin recommends using teak oil to protect wood from drying out.
How to maintain your leather furniture
Maintaining your furniture made out of leather can be complicated. First, keep the leather clean. Leather is a porous skin and is quite absorbent. Every week, use a damp white cloth to wipe off the surface. Every six months apply a quality brand off-the-shelf leather cleaner. Follow up with a quality leather conditioner. We like Milsek.
Never use harsh soap, detergents, cleaning solvents ammonia, or vinegar to clean stains from leather. These will severely dry out the leather and may remove the dye. The best cleaners for leather are tap water or store-bought cleaning solution. When using water, only dampen the cloth. Do not soak the leather during cleaning because too much water can cause stains.
Never leave newspapers or magazines on leather furniture. The dyes from the printed material can easily leech into the leather and permanently stain it. Leather can fade, stiffen, and crack, so keep it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, and direct sunlight through the windows.
Maintaining your furniture when it’s made of wicker
Vacuum wicker with a dust-brush attachment or dry paintbrush to remove dirt and debris. If needed, sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to remove peeling paint or stray fibers. Then wipe with a mixture of 25 percent white vinegar and 75 percent water, then wipe again with plain water.
If weaves are damaged or broken, repair them with wood glue such as Titebond. Allow the glue to dry before cleaning with the mild soap solution. Avoid using too much water, which can weaken the fibers.
Dry and touch-up paint, or prime and paint on a new color to liven up an older piece. Rustoleum makes a good primer and finish coat product. You should use a paint sprayer or can of spray paint to paint wicker. A brush is likely to leave globs of paint in the wicker pattern.
For unpainted furniture, apply tung oil after washing and drying to protect them from the elements and provide a deep, rich protective finish.
Maintaining your furniture made out of fabric
Airborne dirt and dust mites can settle in the small crevices of upholstery pieces, causing allergies and irritations. Frequently remove cushions and vacuum with the brush and corner attachments. If you do not have a vacuum, use a nylon, soft but stiff bristle brush. Pull up pet hair with a lint roller or take a damp sponge and roll the hair off.
Whether indoor or outdoor cushions this cleaning method works. Outdoor cleaning does have the advantage of using a garden hose, water under pressure, to clean fabrics that are waterproof.
Some covers are removable and washable. How you clean them depends on the fabric. Sew Guide notes that most fabrics can be washed in the washing machine with a delicate cycle unless it is marked “dry clean only” such as Rayon.
- Loose weave fabrics: Most upholstery fabrics have a loose weave and must be cleaned as you would a delicate fabric.
- Blended fabric: Look at the blends and treat the whole fabric according to which fiber is more delicate in the mix.
- Cotton fabric: Cotton can shrink with a water-based cleaning- do not place in the dryer. Replace the cover when it is still a little damp, otherwise, it may no longer fit your couch.
To dry indoor furniture, run a fan and open the windows to let in fresh, dry air, which will prevent mold and mildew. Outdoor drying is best done out of the sun.
Be cautious when using store-bought or DIY cleaners. The wrong cleaner could ruin the fabric. If you are unsure what to use, Sew Guide offers cleaning codes for the furniture industry.
Do you sit on metal chairs? Tips for maintaining your furniture
Metal furniture has special challenges. If your furniture shows signs of rust, loose paint, or mold, remove it with a stiff wire brush if the metal is wrought iron and if aluminum then sand with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth. After using the wire brush on wrought Iron frames, you will want to sand the surface as well.
Using the mild soap solution, scrub, rinse, and dry. If touch-up paint is needed, try to get it through the manufacturer. Other good products for both primer and finish coats are Krylon COLORmaxx or Rustoleum brands. Apply in several thin layers. Let dry between coats.
If you want to repaint the whole piece, prep as above and apply an oil-based primer such as Rust-Oleum Clean Metal Primer. Follow up with one of the many colors available from Krylon and available in most home improvement stores.
If you are not interested in a DIY project and want a nice finish on your metal furniture, seek out a company that can provide your piece(s) with a powder coat. This type of finish will last much longer than spray paint.
If you are simply cleaning, apply a coat of high-quality liquid or paste auto wax with a lint-free cloth, per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Use a silicone spray to lubricate swivels and glides. Regularly inspect for rust or chips.
Always remember to dry off furniture, both indoors and particularly outdoor furniture to prevent water marks from evaporation.
When in doubt about cleaning and repairing furniture, consult a professional cleaner, or contact the manufacturer.
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