Furniture that is kept clean will look more attractive, as well as more durable. You need to work hard to clean all the furniture in the house. However, you can work around this so you don't have to worry about it. Generally, regular wiping or vacuuming coupled with a thorough cleaning every six months will make the furniture look great.
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Method 1 of 5: Cleaning Upholstered Furniture
Step 1. Use a vacuum cleaner
Using a vacuum cleaner is the easiest way to keep furniture clean. Try to clean gaps and gaps such as the space between the arm and the backrest. Do not forget to remove the seat upholstery and vacuum all sides.
Upholstery with a density of microfiber fibers makes furniture stain-resistant, and allows most dust and dirt to be brushed off. Brush the furniture first before you use the vacuum cleaner
Step 2. Check the label for instructions on how to clean
If your furniture requires a special cleaning fluid, you may need to purchase and use it. If your furniture can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, you can easily make one at home. However, if the label is missing, seek professional help.
- W means: Use a water-based detergent.
- S means: Clean with a water-free product, such as a dry cleaning liquid.
- WS means: It is OK to use water-based cleaners or water-free cleaning products.
- X means: It should only be cleaned professionally, but it is allowed to use a vacuum cleaner. Keep this in mind when buying furniture.
Step 3. Make a water-based cleaner at home using liquid dish soap
Fill a spray bottle with water, then add a few drops of liquid dish soap instead of powder. To get rid of the smell, add a pinch of white vinegar and a few pinches of baking soda to the mixture. Shake the bottle well to mix the solution well.
Step 4. Perform the test in a place that does not attract too much attention
Dip a sponge in the soap mixture and rub it into the back or underside of the seat (choose a spot that's most likely out of sight). Use a cloth to absorb excess water on the newly cleaned area and allow it to dry completely. If there is a change in color, you should not use the soap mixture. Instead, consider cleaning the furniture with the help of a professional.
Step 5. Moisten the stained area with a sponge
Use a sponge to rub the soap mixture on the furniture, and use a cloth to absorb excess water as you work. Allow the soap to soak and penetrate the fibers of the fabric for a few minutes on any stubborn stains or spots.
Step 6. Treat future stains quickly
The best way to avoid a difficult cleaning process in the future is to act quickly when you spill something on the furniture so it doesn't become a very bad stain. To deal with liquid stains, use a cloth to absorb the stain, do not brush or rub it. The forceful movement actually makes the liquid seep deeper into the fibers of the fabric at this stage. Therefore, try to absorb as much water as possible before it has a chance to seep any further.
Method 2 of 5: Cleaning Leather Furniture
Step 1. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the furniture
Just like upholstered furniture, regularly cleaning leather furniture with a vacuum cleaner will keep it clean. Remove the seat cushions to make sure you can reach every nook and cranny in the furniture.
Step 2. Use a solution of mild dish soap and water to remove light dirt and stains
Mix about 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of mild dish soap with a small bucket of warm water. After that, dip a clean cloth in soapy water and wring it out until it's slightly wet. Wipe the rag into the dirty area of the furniture. Finally, pat the furniture dry with a clean cloth.
Always start cleaning with the mildest solution. Just continue with a stronger cleaner if the dirt or stain doesn't work. If mild soap doesn't work on your furniture, try using vinegar
Step 3. Rub the furniture with the vinegar mixture
Take a bucket and mix vinegar and water in equal proportions. Dip the rag in the solution, wring it out so that the rag is damp, but not wet, and wipe it over the furniture. Rinse the rag frequently to keep dirt from spreading, and continue to do the same with a dry cloth.
- A mixture of lemon juice and cream of tartar in equal parts makes an ideal stain remover for white or cream colored furniture. Rub the mixture onto the stained area, and let it sit for a while to soak in. After 10 minutes, wipe off the residue with a clean cloth.
- Rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab can be a great way to treat ink stains and mildew. Let the alcohol soak. After that, dry the area with hot air from a hairdryer.
Step 4. Treat the skin with vinegar and linseed oil
Make a mixture consisting of one part vinegar and two parts linseed oil. Shake well until well blended, then rub into the skin surface and let stand for 10 minutes. After that, polish with a cloth. You may have to polish a few times.
Step 5. Keep the furniture out of the sun so the leather doesn't crack and dry out
Continuous exposure to direct sunlight is not good for the skin even if you are diligent in taking care of it. Consider periodically rotating a chair or sofa from an open window, or make sure you close the curtains or blinds when you're not using the room.
Try to place furniture at least one meter away from heat sources in the house. Continuous exposure to heat can cause the leather to crack and wear
Method 3 of 5: Cleaning Wooden Furniture
Step 1. Confirm the type of finish used for the furniture
If you're not sure, the correct procedure is to start with a mild cleaner, then successively move on to a heavier cleaning method, depending on the reaction of the furniture (or no reaction). If you know that the furniture has gone through a process of staining, painting, and so on, you should clean it using a method that is compatible with the coating process applied to the furniture.
As a general rule for cleaning wooden furniture: don't use too much water, and if you have to use it, don't let water stay on the wood surface. Water can cause wood to warp and crack
Step 2. Wipe off dust and non-sticky dirt from wooden furniture with a rag
Use a clean rag to wipe the furniture, removing and removing dust and dirt adhering to the surface. Do not use a feather duster to clean wooden furniture as the bristles can scratch the wood. Preferably, use a cloth.
Step 3. Remove stains and dirt with a solution of mild dish soap and water
Mix about 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of mild dish soap with a small bucket of warm water. After that, dip a clean cloth in soapy water and wring it out until it's slightly wet. Wipe the rag into the dirty area of the furniture. Finally, dry the furniture with a clean cloth.
Try a milder solution of soap and water before using other cleaning products. If stains or dirt are still visible, clean the wood with mineral spirit
Step 4. Rub the wood with mineral spirit
Mineral spirit, such as paint thinner, is very effective at removing accumulated dirt. Pour the spirit into a washcloth, and scrub the wooden furniture carefully. Try to work in a well-ventilated area when using mineral spirits. Wipe off the residue left by the cleaner with a damp cloth.
While mineral spirit is safe for most wood furniture, it's a good idea to test it on an inconspicuous area (like the underside, or the legs of a chair) to make sure the cleaner doesn't have a bad reaction on the furniture
Step 5. Make a turpentine mixture to use on wood that has been treated with a coating
Combine cup of boiled flaxseed oil and cup of turpentine in a jar, and shake until well combined. Both of these materials can be purchased at hardware stores.
If you don't want to make your own cleaner, you can purchase a commercial furniture cleaning product that has a similar function
Step 6. Apply the turpentine mixture on the wood surface
Pour a small amount of the mixture onto the table, then pour it into the steel wool as well. Rub the mixture along the vines. When finished, polish with a soft cloth. This mixture is perfect for raw wood surfaces or wood that has been treated with a coating. The turpentine mixture will increase the luster and durability of the treated wood, and will prevent the raw wood from drying out and cracking. Rub the oil thoroughly on the wood surface and let it dry on its own.
Using steel wool may sound extreme, but the finish on most wood furniture is thick enough to protect the wood itself from damage
Step 7. Polish the waxed or varnished surface with lemon oil
Moisten the cloth, add a little oil, and rub it over the furniture. Then, polish the surface of the wood, leaving a little residue.
Step 8. Apply furniture wax to protect unwaxed furniture
Apply a generous amount of wax using a soft cotton cloth, following the direction of the wood. After that, polish using a different cloth.
Method 4 of 5: Cleaning Acrylic and Lucite Furniture
Step 1. Use a clean cloth to wipe it
Acrylic and lucite require minimal maintenance, but tend to be scratched easily by flakes of dust or dirt adhering to fabrics that have been used to clean other furniture. Use a new or freshly washed cloth to wipe down the furniture so it doesn't scratch.
Step 2. Do not use Windex or glass cleaner
While it's tempting to use glass cleaner to clean acrylic furniture to make it look clear, it's best to avoid it. Cleaners not designed for acrylic or lucite can cause furniture to crack.
Likewise, if something sticks to furniture, don't use solvents to clean it. Just use a damp cloth and a cleaner specifically designed for acrylic
Step 3. Cover the scratches with plastic polish
The only products that can be used to clean acrylic furniture are cleaners designed to clean plastic. If the furniture is scratched, plastic polish can repair the scratch as well.
Products formulated to clean plastic are the only cleaners that should be used on acrylic furniture
Method 5 of 5: Cleaning Wicker Furniture
Step 1. Get to know the materials used
“Woven” refers to the techniques used in making the furniture, not the material from which the furniture is made. Wicker furniture can be made of paper, rattan, or bamboo (to name a few), and there are slight differences in the type of care required for each material.
Step 2. Remove the seat cushion
The pads will be cleaned separately from the furniture, and manufacturers usually list the correct cleaning method on the label. Make sure you can reach the entire surface of the furniture without exception.
Step 3. Use the brush head on the vacuum cleaner
You should be careful when cleaning wicker furniture and use soft utensils. Regular brushing of furniture will help keep it clean, and using the brush head in a vacuum cleaner has a double benefit.
For hard-to-clean dust, try using a soft-bristled brush. For hard-to-reach dust, use a toothbrush
Step 4. Gently brush the bamboo rattan with soapy water containing ammonia
Mix one part ammonia to two parts water in a bucket, then add a little bleach-free dish soap. It's a good idea to use a brush to clean the furniture, and if you don't have one, use a cloth.
- Make sure you are in a well-ventilated room before mixing chemicals, and wear gloves when working with ammonia. Do not lean over the bucket.
- The use of bleach-free ingredients is very important here. A mixture of ammonia and bleach can produce very toxic fumes. If you feel dizzy or nauseous while mixing cleaning agents, get some fresh air right away.
- Wicker furniture should always be handled with care, even during the cleaning process. A stiff brush (or something more abrasive) can cause serious damage to furniture and should be handled by a professional.
- For wicker furniture made from paper and grass, you should forget about cleaning fluids. You can simply wipe the furniture with a damp cloth.
- Wicker furniture only needs this kind of thorough cleaning once or twice a year.
Step 5. Place the furniture in direct sunlight to dry it
It may take a few days for the furniture to dry completely, but it is very, very important to dry the wicker furniture thoroughly. In wet conditions, rattan, grass, and bamboo can slowly return to their original shape (before weaving).
- Wicker furniture should always be completely dry, and care should be taken without allowing water to seep into the furniture while cleaning. Never sit on wicker furniture that has not dried.
- However, wicker furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight all the time. Chairs and tables that are frequently exposed to direct sunlight should be rotated periodically throughout the year to prevent the material from breaking.
Step 6. Do not place the furniture in damp places
Even though wicker furniture “loves” moisture, this condition will encourage mold growth and cause deformation of the furniture. Place the furniture in a temperature-controlled room if you expect the furniture to last a long time. Unless you live in the desert, a terrace is not a great place for wicker furniture.
If you do live in the desert, occasionally wipe the furniture with a damp cloth. Without proper care, dry climates, such as direct sunlight, can cause the webbing to crack
Tips
- Furniture that uses a cover can be washed according to the instructions on the label.
- Pets should be trained to stay away from furniture as fur, claws and saliva droplets can stain. If you have a cat, brush it regularly to reduce loose or falling hair, and keep its nails trimmed. A sticky lint roller can help clean pet hair without the hassle.
- It's important to treat discoloration or stains as early as possible. Clean the furniture often so that it is always in good condition, and don't let the spilled stains on the furniture for too long to seep into the fabric fibers.
