Home Furniture Reference

Posts Tagged ‘Cleaning’

Many people have wicker furniture in their homes, in different areas around the house with decorative pieces (from baskets to small tables and stools). At the same time some of these will be new and others can be antiques. In the commercial and hospitality sector you will also find wicker furniture as for example in hotels, restaurants, pubs and many other venues.

A definition of wicker furniture is that it is a piece (of furniture) that has woven willow, reed, bamboo, rattan or other natural fibers. The material is woven around a frame, usually made of wood and making an interwoven pattern. If you look at a wicker stool, the wooden frame will be the legs, and the circumference of the stool. The actual seat will be a woven pattern.

As with all furniture to make sure it stays in good condition and has a longer and more useful life, wicker furniture must be taken care of.

In order to take care of your wicker pieces the first thing to look at is the cleaning. This includes the first and simple step of regular dusting. Objects, specially static ones, gather dust. This will be both for indoor and outdoor furniture. This is quite simple, you pass a dry clean cloth over the whole piece of furniture, taking extra care over the places where the weave joins the frame. Dust will tend to accumulate in corners and typically places hard to get to. Use a small, soft brush to remove the dirt. The key here is both the gentle side and the regular dusting practice. This prevents accumulation and potential need for harsher methods of cleaning.

There will come a time when you need to go for more in depth cleaning. At all costs avoid harsh cleaning agents. This doesn’t mean you cant wash it, but do it properly. You can use a mild soap in a little water and with a cloth dipped into this solution, go over the area you need to clean. You should not use too much water over the woven area as it can soften and when it dries again it will form undulations, or sag and stretch. Make sure you dry it well before using it again.

The woven wicker can develop cracks and some of the strands can become lose and sag. Here are some of the things you can do about it:

1. When cracks appear this is because of the ambient dryness that is affecting your wicker. Just rub in some linseed oil and let it rest for one or two days so that it is all absorbed. This is vitamin “c” for your wicker.

2. For loose strands of weave a gentle rubbing, and I stress gentle, with a fine grit sandpaper over the rough area.

3. Wicker, like leather, when wet will memorize the shape in which it dries. Sometimes you will find the weave has shifted or sagged. You can wet it, again carefully, and stretch so it dries in that position, recovering the original form.

4. Strands that have broken or become unattached can be a problem. As long as it is not extensive damage, your best bet is to get hold of the same material and weave. If you are not comfortable with the idea you will have to find an expert. However if you decide to proceed with the repair make sure it is a small area and then careful, and very patiently, try it out, one weave at a time.

The most important part of taking care of your wicker furniture is the dull but effective measure of constant dusting.

This article will help you decide when to clean your leather furniture yourself and when you should hire a leather professional to clean your leather furniture for you.  Here are the advantages I have  heard over the years to each option.  Then you can decide which works for you.

The advantages of cleaning your own leather
With know-how you can- With good instruction and quality products, I find most consumers can easily take care of routine cleaning maintenance to their leather furniture.  The main problem occurs when people either don’t know what kind of leather they have or when they don’t use leather specific cleaning products.
Quicker response-Some stains need to be cleaned quickly.  The longer they sit on your leather, the harder they become to remove. Ink, oil stains and dye transfers are some of the stains that get more stubborn the longer they sit on your leather.  In other words, you are at your home and even with a quick response a leather pro usually takes a few days to arrive.  So your ability to get to stains as soon as you see them gives you the best chance to remove them.
Save $ - It will cost you less money to buy good leather products than to pay a leather professional to do the work for you.  If you keep up with routine maintenance, they your leather will not be as likely to get so dirty that you’d need a leather professional.
Protected leather cleans up easily- Most likely your leather is finished leather (Check with the article on knowing your leather to be sure).  If so, then you have leather with protection on the surface which holds dirt and most stains out of the leather fibers. Therefore, it is easier for most consumers to clean than more porous leather.
The advantages of hiring a leather professional
Dirty leather needs a pro-  Maybe you weren’t ever told you should clean your leather routinely.  Maybe it just isn’t something you’ve had the time to do. Maybe your leather sits in a room with a fireplace and gathers soot.  Whatever the reason, if you leather gets noticeably dirty, a leather professional may be a better choice to get it clean.
Regular professional cleaning is simple and consistent- Some people like the simplicity and piece of mind of hiring a leather professional to clean and condition there leather every year or every other year.  Most good pro’s will tell you how to care for the leather in between visits so that you can still deal with specific stains, but they come out regularly to keep the entire set looking great.
Repairs, re-coloring included- Many times what looks like soiling on leather is actually color loss,scratching or staining of the leather.  A leather professional will not only clean the surface of your leather but also touch up scrapes, discoloration or fading areas.  As a word of warning, many upholstery companies may add leather cleaning to their portfolio of services but be wary of hiring them. There cleaning may reveal more problems than they solve and they rarely know how to deal with the color restoration that is the heart of your leather’s problem.  Just ask lots of questions of companies that offer a wide range of services beyond leather.
Delicate leather need professional help-  The small percentage of you that go through the testing in the “know your leather”article above and find you have aniline/semi-aniline, nu buck or pull-up leather, probably need the help of a leather professional.  These more delicate leathers can be a challenge for most homeowners to clean themselves.  At worst, more harm than good can be done if you try to clean a delicate leather instead of hiring  good pro to help you.

Leather furniture is classy, stylish and long lasting, and this makes leather furniture one of the most popular upholstery materials. It is more durable than fabric and as a result it lasts longer.  It is even great for families with children because the material will stand the test of drips and spills, children’s climbing, and all of their rough house kind of activities.  It needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents to retain its beauty. Direct sunlight and the heat will break down the natural oils in the leather, making it more likely to crack. To last long and look good your furniture requires regular care and cleaning. While professional cleaning can be quite costly, you can get the same effect at home by following our tips on cleaning leather furniture and doing the cleaning yourself.

The first thing that you need to do to clean your furniture well is to identify the kind of leather upholstery that you have. Different types of leathers require different cleaning methods so knowing the kind of leather that you have is extremely important before you start using any kind of cleaning products. Leather that has been protected with surface finishes and coating is the easiest and simplest to clean. However, colored yet uncoated leather like aniline and suede and nubuck, which are also commonly used as upholstery, will require special leather furniture cleaners since they have a different cleaning process. In most cases, you will find the exact description on the factory tags and labels that your furniture has come with.

Once you have identified your type, stock up on leather furniture cleaners that are created specially for it. Suede and Nubuck are the hardest to maintain since they absorb water, dirt and grease very easily. The only way to keep your suede or nubuck furniture clean is to use a product that protects the leather against spills. This is something like a Scotchgard for leather and is available under different names from different companies. Apart from protecting your suede furniture from moisture and stains, make sure that you blot off any spills instantly and use only non-water based leather upholstery cleaner for it. Regular use of a nap brush will make your nubuck or suede furniture keep looking new for a long period of time.

Cleaning aniline, which is pigmented but not heavily finished or coated is different from suede and nubuck cleaning. After vacuuming your leather furniture, you can use a mixture of water and a PH balanced soap to clean aniline. Special aniline leather furniture cleaners are available for cleaning your furniture upholstered with aniline or similar leathers. You can clean leather couches and other furniture with a soft cloth dipped in cleaning solution. Make sure that you dry off your furniture with a hair dryer in order to avoid watermarks.

After cleaning leather furniture, make sure that you use a conditioner. Leather conditioners replenish your upholstery with natural oils that will keep them shining and looking like new. Conditioners also act as a protective agent and inhibit staining of leather furniture.

Carry out a cleaning and conditioning regime every three to four months. This will not only ensure that your leather furniture is clean, but that it is not damaged by the sun, heat or humidity. Regular care and cleaning of your leather furniture whether it is done professionally or you do it yourself will ensure that it remains looking like new for years and years.

Simple tips to assure you properly care for your Leather Living Room Furniture

When choosing a particular style of furniture for your living room, leather can be an exceptional choice. There are a wide range of leather sofas, leather sectionals, recliners, loveseats, and chairs available in various colors and styles. It is easy to clean, stylish, and quite durable when taken care of properly. Leather furniture is great at handling stains and spills, and typically does not require as much maintenance as other fabrics. This is not to say that leather furniture does not require any maintaining. It is “low maintenance”, but certainly not “no maintenance.”

Here are some great ways to care for your leather furniture:

Clean Stains Immediately

Make sure you take care of a spill immediately. If the stain is given time to sink into the fabric, it can be much more stubborn to cleaning. Additionally, it has a higher chance of reappearing months later.
Blot the stain lightly with a soft cloth or towel. Avoid rubbing and smearing the spill, as this will spread the stain.
It is best to clean spills on your leather furniture with warm water and mild soap.
It is advised to avoid harsh cleaning chemicals that may contain solvents, bleach, or acids.
Avoiding commercially available furniture cleaners is recommended as they tend to foster rapid resoiling.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Placing your leather furniture in direct and constant sunlight can cause it to fade over time.
It is best to place your leather furniture in a more shaded area of the room, or keep curtains closed when the sun is casting on the furniture.

Keep Away From Heat

Make sure your leather furniture is kept away from strong heat sources such as furnace vents.
Exposure to heat causes your leather furniture to dry out, making it vulnerable to cracks and splits.
It is recommended that you keep your leather furniture at least two feet away from potentially harmful heat sources.

Avoid Air Pollutants

It is best to not expose your leather furniture to potentially harmful air pollutants such as cigarette smoke and excessive cleaning fumes.
Air pollutants can fade or change the color of your leather furniture, and sometimes even distort the fabric in other ways.

Dust Regularly

Keep your leather furniture debris free by dusting at least once per week.
You can do this by wiping your furniture with a soft, dry cloth or gently vaccuming it.
Make sure you dust in between crevices and under cushions where dirt and dust may hide.
Dusting regularly will prevent your furniture from long-term damage from dirt and debris, and assure your leather furniture remains as fresh and new as possible.

Avoid Potentially Harmful Objects

Avoid sharp objects that may scratch or puncture your leather furniture including pens, needles, and animal claws. Although small scratches are fairly simple to repair, large rips and tears cause lifelong damage to the furniture
It is also wise to avoid leaving magazines and newspapers on your leather furniture as the ink tends to bleed and may leave ink marks on the leather.

Following these simple steps for caring for your leather furniture will affect the life and condition of your investment. With proper care, your leather furniture can last for many years to come and look just like it did the day you purchased it. Leather furniture is easy to maintain and clean, but taking simple steps to care for it properly is often overlooked. Following the simple tips above will assure that your furniture will remain looking, feeling, and smelling new.

Outdoor furniture made from wood and wicker has a golden color when brand new. However, as outdoor furniture begins to age due to the exposed to the elements. The natural colors may changes to softer tones. This is how you can distinguish aged outdoor furniture. The key with outdoor furniture is that if you need do regular maintenance to keep the the original colors in shape.Keep in mind that the color change does not affect the strength and durability of the outdoor furniture,but it does give the furniture a whole new look. Therefore, if you are going to own outdoor furniture you first want to decide if you want to maintain the original color or let your furniture develop an aged and weathered look.The one major thing you can do to extend the appearance of outdoor furniture, is if possible keep the furniture out of direct sunlight, this may sound difficult but keeping the pieces in the shade will dramatically increase the look and over all life of the outdoor furnitureMaintaining the item you purchased at the outdoor furniture sale could be as simple as cleaning it down with warm soapy water or if the furniture is made of wood treating the wood with a protection oil which will help keep the over look of the wood while also cleaning the surface.The recommended cleaning solution for most outdoor furniture is a mixture of a mild laundry detergent with bleach in water. You should only be using a soft bristle brush to stop any damage to the paint or any other treated outer surface . When your furniture is clean, rinse the entire piece enough to remove any dirt or cleaning solution residue. This process is more than enough for general cleaning of your furniture regardless what material it is. Another great idea to help keep your outdoor furniture looking the way it should be is buy a cover for the the furniture during the winter months when you might not be using it as much anyway.Whatever outdoor furniture you choose remember that you must do some sort of regular cleaning and maintenance to keep the furniture looking the way you want to.

Leather is one of the first items that man used to wear for clothing.  It has been a popular and durable item ever since.  Leather is classic and beautiful as well as long lasting.  It can be used on a variety of things like upholstery, clothing, shoes, furniture, and luggage.  It is a fabric that is not inexpensive and should be treated with care to ensure that it lasts a long time.  You will need to understand the proper care and treatment of leather to be sure you do the job right.  There are two types of leather that you can get.  Smooth leather or a suede type.  The leather can be dyed to a variety of colors and used in a variety of styles.  The dye that is used on the leather will determine the kind of care that it requires.  If you use the wrong type of cleaner on your leather item you could stain and permanently damage the product.  Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper care of your leather item.  There are some general rules that you can use to properly care for your leather item.  These rules apply no matter the kind of item you are cleaning.  Leather must be kept in an environment that is not wet or too dry, not hot or too cold.  The extremes in temperature are what can cause damage to leather items.Leather must breathe because it is a natural fabric.  If you keep your leather in a cool area that is well ventilated and will keep air circulating all around the item.  If it is kept in direct sunlight it can damage the color of the dye.  You should keep this in mind when you are arranging leather furniture in a room.  The leather in your car can also be damaged if you park in direct sunlight consistently.  Try to park your car in an area where it will avoid direct sunlight, or you can purchase a screen for your car’s windows.Over time your leather items can dry out and become damaged.  Keep the leather out of extreme heat and sun.  You can condition your leather with products to keep it from drying out.  It can also help to protect the leather when you use these products.  Getting stains out of a leather item can be difficult.  You should only use products that are specifically designed for use on leather.  You can test the product on a small section of the leather to be sure that it will not ruin the leather.  When you are removing a stain from one of a set of items like gloves you will want to treat both of the gloves to be sure that the color remains matched.  You can also remove small spots with alcohol or cornstarch.  Cuticle remover can also work on small spots.  If your leather item becomes water stained in one place you may be able to save the piece if you wet the entire garment to get the same look on the entire garment.The interior of your car can be kept clean if you make sure to clean up any spills as they occur.  Regularly wiping down the seats will also keep the interior clean.  If you have any extensive or difficult stains on your car’s upholstery it may be necessary to bring in an expert.You should make sure that your leather is cleaned immediately if anything is spilled on it.  Don’t allow the spill to soak into your leather item.  The leather can be permanently damaged if you allow a spill to soak in.  Cleaning your leather twice a year is good for maintaining the look of your garment.  You should wash your leather by hand with a special gentle soap that is designed for leather.  You can make suds in a bowl and clean the leather with the suds only and not the soapy water.  Your cloth should be damp and not saturated with water.  You will need to completely dry the item immediately after you have finished cleaning.  Buff the leather out to make sure that it is completely dry and clean.  Your leather should be conditioned immediately to keep it in the best shape.  You will be providing the moisture that your leather needs.

“Who doesn’t love leather? Leather shoes, boots, jacket, furniture, bags, belts, etc., we love ‘em all! Leather is one material that never becomes outdated; it’s stylish and elegant so we can’t have enough of it. But maintaining it’s life poses a problem. In Toronto, there is a constant demand for leather repairs because a lot of homes and offices possess leather furniture thus the need for its proper maintenance. Leather and vinyl repair in Toronto can be time consuming that’s why most people in Canada seek help from a reliable company that offers Before entrusting your leather stuff to a repair company in Canada, you have to first know the nitty-gritty of the task. The damage on your leather seat could’ve been acquired through many different reasons. Leather repair shops analyze the degree of damage to your leather furniture before working on the appropriate solution to bring back its appeal. In case you prefer to handle the job yourself instead of hiring a leather specialist to touch your most valued leather possession, then it’s about time you learn the ABC’s of leather cleaning and repair. Cleaning is an essential part of leather care. It does not only remove dirt and offensive oils (which can, over time, break down the leathers protective coating) but also helps to maintain the moisture balance in the leather. This is important for keeping the leather supple and less likely to absorb spillages. A furniture store or upholstery shop should always have a leather conditioner available. Be observant. Make it a habit to test your cleaning product prior to usage to check for colorfastness in the leather but the results vary depending on how much you use especially on older suites. During the cleaning process, keep an eye on what your sponge can possibly emit and what happens to the surface you’re cleaning. When deep cleaning leather, foam cleaning has been proven to be more effective and safer since you’ll find all packed in ready to use foaming bottles available in the market. This is definitely going to make your cleaning chore a lot easier. Always use the foaming bottle for your cleaning products even in small cleaning operations. Do not use the product straight from the bottle for it would be less effective and more likely to cause damage. It is best to avoid ‘spot’ or localized cleaning and aggressive scrubbing. Two or three gentle cleans will give the same result with less danger of damage. To clean a small area on a cushion, apply foam to the whole cushion panel and carry out the cleaning process over the whole area paying more attention to the soiled section. This way, a possible color change would be less obvious rather than a patch in the middle of the cushion. In most cases, you can only clean dirt off the surface of leather and not out of it. So, if after several gentle cleans you still have stains or marks in your leather it may be best to seek professional advice before resorting to ‘kitchen’ or ‘workshop’ products, which can cause severe damage that is more costly to repair. ”

Among all the modern furniture available on the market, leather furniture are the ones that usually catches the attention of the buyer at a first glance.  The reason for this is that it has a very comfortable and shiny finish that will look very elegant at home.  In terms of comfort, they are cushioned with soft materials so everyone who will sit on it will be very comfortable no matter what they do.  They may lie comfortably while watching television or read their favorite book.

Because of how elegant they look, it is important for people to know the appropriate way to clean leather furniture in order to maintain their look.  And if you have this type of furniture, it is important for you to know the following appropriate procedures before doing anything that may damage your prized furniture.

Dust is perhaps the most common dirt that may invade the furniture.  However, this is the simplest dirt to clean as wiping them with soft cloth will do the job.  If you want to maintain its shiny look, you may want to wipe them weekly using liquid soft.  Make sure that the soap is mild to avoid the damage.  After wiping using the soap, you just need to wipe it again with another dry cloth.  No need to rinse it with water.

Have you experience leaning your head on the furniture and then see your facial oil mark left on the surface?  This is also one of the dirt that should also be clean although not in a frequent manner.  What you just need to do is to use leather cleaner and a sponge. Scrub the areas that usually get in contact with oil like headrests and armrests.

If you have kids at home, then you are most likely to get spills on the furniture.  What you just need to do is to clean them immediately as it is not okay to get the spill set on leather.

Again, kids at home will surprise you with stain marks not only on walls but on your leather furnishings.  In cleaning this stain, you just need to get a soft cloth and dip it on alcohol.  In this way, it will be free from pen stain so you will still have the beauty of leather furnishing as the main accent of your living room.

As long as you know these procedures, you will surely be prepared once you are going to buy leather furnishings for your home.  In this way, you will avoid cleaning it with just the conventional cleaning method since it can damage the finish of your beloved furniture at home.

Getting leather furniture is possible by checking http://www.nyccustomfurniture.com.  They have a wide array of furniture to choose from that will suit your design needs at home.  With this, you can start to invest on beautifying your living room or any part of your house where you will place this furniture and be proud of your household investment.

This article will help you decide when to clean your leather furniture yourself and when you should hire a leather professional to clean your leather furniture for you.  Here are the advantages I have  heard over the years to each option.  Then you can decide which works for you.

Buying leather furniture for your home is a wise investment: it’s beautiful, durable and smells wonderful! Cleaning your fine leather furniture is the key to keeping it looking showroom perfect, and it isn’t as challenging as you may think.

The first step to cleaning leather or any other furniture upholstery is to read the manufacturer’s owner’s manual and/or website for proper care instructions. Reading the care instructions first will inform you of the type of leather used for your leather furniture and the manufacturer’s preferred method of keeping it clean and beautiful. For instance smooth, finished leather and unfinished leather, such as suede, require entirely different methods of cleaning. Using the wrong cleaning products for the type of leather furniture you have can permanently damage it.

Dust smooth leather furniture every time you vacuum the carpet. Leather is porous, and needs to be able to breathe, so use the vacuum cleaner brush attachment to remove accumulated dust, and the crevice tool to clear debris from hard to reach areas. Skin oils, sweat and nicotine also cling to leather furniture surfaces and cause dust to stick to the leather if it’s not removed on a regular basis. Dusting leather furniture helps avoid sticky buildup and discoloration.

Many smooth leathers can be spot cleaned with a mild moisturizing facial soap. The manufacturer’s care instructions will tell you if you shouldn’t use soap on leather furniture. Use a soft, lightly dampened cotton cloth and a small amount of mild soap worked into a lather on an inconspicuous area, blot with another damp cloth and let dry at least four hours to see if it fades or spots the leather. If not, you can safely use soap and water to spot clean the leather. Never use furniture polish, window cleaner, rough cloth, paper towels or any other material that may scratch the surface of the leather or clog the pores with lint. A monthly cleaning will help keep leather furniture looking new. Always allow the leather to naturally air dry completely.

Leather contains natural oils that may leach out from washing, making it dry, brittle and prone to cracking. Using a leather conditioner specifically for smooth leather, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, prevents this. Never use mink oil or polishes, saddle soap, oils or soaps made for wood furniture to condition smooth leather furniture. They may contain chemicals or excess water that will spot or otherwise damage the leather.

Immediately blot liquid spills with a dry cloth then wipe the leather furniture with a lightly dampened cloth to remove any residue of the spill. Blot away the excess water with a dry cloth and allow the leather to finish drying naturally. The exception to this method is, of course, a water spill. In this case, simply blot away the water with a soft, dry cloth and allow to air dry as you normally would. For food spills, especially oily foods, be sure to remove all food debris then wash the leather furniture with a dampened cotton cloth and a small amount of mild facial or dish soap. Wipe away excess soap with a dampened cloth and allow to air dry.

Correctly cleaning and conditioning leather furniture is essential to maintaining its beauty and durability. With proper care you really can easily keep your fine leather furniture looking and feeling showroom perfect!