How To Care For Your Furniture

Universal Cleaning Codes and What They Mean

Accidents are a part of life. If you don't know how to deal with them when they arise, it could result in ruined furniture. Furniture is one of the largest purchases one makes in their lifetime, so it's important to correctly care for your furniture to ensure they are able to be enjoyed for many years to come. Furniture, like clothes, has a specific cleaning code to help consumers correctly care for their specific piece of furniture. Unfortunately, the code is not always very clear for someone who isn't cleaning furniture on a regular basis. Below, we break down the codes and discuss exactly what is required to adequately care for furniture that falls under each one.

Dry Clean Only.

Use a leather care kit (this includes a sponge, a cloth, leather cleaner, and leather protector cream).

Use a leather care kit (this includes a sponge, a cloth, leather cleaner, and leather protector cream).

Natural Fiber Rugs - Immediately blot spills to remove excess liquid with a clean white cloth or plain paper towel. Blot again with a solution of one teaspoon mild detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar in a quart of warm water. Do not saturate.

Clean only with a dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate. Do not use water. Pile fabrics may require brushing to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned.

Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, a mild foam detergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate with liquid. Pile fabrics may require brushing to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned.

Clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean. Pile fabrics may require brushing to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned.

Do not clean with either water or solvent-based cleaner. Vacuum or light brushing only.

Wool - Blot spills up immediately with a clean white cloth or plain paper towel.

How to Care For and Clean Leather

Leather furniture offers a timeless elegance to any room they are placed in. They also have the added bonus of being extremely durable. However, leather isn't accident or damage proof. Follow these intructions to keep your leather pieces looking pristine and sophisticated.

General Cleaning & Care

Spot Cleaning Leather

• Blot any spills immediately; do not rub. Blot away the excess liquid with a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Spray the area with a marble cleaner or warm water and wipe.
• To remove a spot, follow these steps: Use a solution of 1/2 mild soap (Neutrogena) and 1/2 distilled water on a slightly dampened cloth or sponge. Rinse by blotting with distilled water. Blot to remove excess water.
• For difficult stains: Contact a professional cleaning service.

How to Care For and Clean Fabric

Fabric (also known as upholstered) furniture tends to be the most popular and customizable furniture style, while also having the added benefit of being cheaper than leather. However, style and design come at a cost: upholstery is easily stained and collects more dust and soil. Follow the instructions listed below to keep your upholstered furniture clean and comfortable.

General Care & Care

Do...

• Keep upholstered furniture out of direct sunlight.
• Rotate cushions and pillows on a regular basis to allow even distribution of wear.
• Vacuum weekly using the upholstery attachment to remove soil that could be abrasive to surface.
• Periodic professionally cleaning is recommended.

Don't...

• Place magazines or newspapers on upholstery. The ink from these items may bleed onto the fabric and cause stains.
• Use household chemicals near upholstered furniture. Overexposure to these products could cause damage to your furniture.

Spot Cleaning General Fabric

• If a spill occurs: Clean the fabric immediately.
• Blot with a clean, white cloth. Do not rub. Select the appropriate stain removal method. To determine this, look under one of the seat cushions or under the unit to find a tag. This tag shows a universal cleaning code. This cleaning code relates to a recommended method to be used. For a list of fabric/upholstery cleaning codes (click here for cleaning code information).
• Pre-test all of the care products in a hidden area to make sure that they are compatible with the fabric material.
• To prevent rings: Clean spots from the outside to the middle of the affected area.
• Do not use detergents or strong chemicals to clean your upholstery.

Cleaning Special Fabric

• Silk, Rayon or Velvet: Get professionally cleaned. These fine fabrics are easily damaged so it is safest to not attempt to clean on your own.
• Suede: Suede can be ruined by water. Instead, use a small amount of vinegar and a clean cloth to blot liquids such as coffee and juice. For grease stains, use baking soda to absorb and a brush to wipe away after it has been allowed to sit for a few hours.

Downloadable PDF

How to Care For and Clean Wood

Nothing gives a home a more natural feel than wood furniture. Durably built and easy to clean, it's easy to see why wood furniture is often passed down from generation to generation. However, wood isn't immune to damage. To keep your wood furniture in the best condition possible, follow the instructions below.

General Cleanin