So, you’ve finally pulled that trigger and made a new sofa or recliner purchase. Now what?
After you’ve finished reconfiguring your living space, it’s time to think about how you’re going to care for your new piece of furniture so that it lasts for years to come. Some people buy harsh cleaners, thinking they work best. In reality, using less abrasive solutions (as instructed by the brand) can go a long way toward ensuring longevity and durability.
Grand Home Furnishings understands the importance of maintaining a big purchase like this. You want this furniture to last for the next decade — or longer. Consider some of our best-selling options that are life-friendly:
All three of these products boast a stain-resistant fabric and finish, making the material easy to clean while remaining soft to the touch — even after succumbing to unwanted spills. This makes upholstery a great choice for families with young children, pets, or simply a busy lifestyle. Knowing how to maintain this type of furniture, however, is paramount if you want to maximize the material’s lifespan.
Upholstery Care: Maintanence
To preserve the beauty and longevity of your upholstered furniture, a little periodic care and maintenance can help prolong the lifespan of your purchase.
Vacuum your upholstery regularly: It’s your first defense against stains. Vacuuming removes soil from your furniture just as it does from your carpets and rugs, and you may discover hidden food stains between the cushions in time to get them out before they set.
If you end up having a spill remove soil right away if you can. The longer a spill stays on the fabric, the harder it is to remove.
Cleaning Codes: Where to find it
To successfully clean fabric, it is important to determine the type of fabric and the recommended cleaning code. This information can be found on the tag attached to the furniture.
Standard upholstery cleaning codes are: W, S, WS, X and D.
- W – for Wet.
- S – for Solvent.
- WS – for Wet and Solvent.
- X – for Vacuum only.
- D – for Dry Clean only.
Code W Cleaning Instructions
Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area first. Do not saturate. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a nonmetallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance.
Do not use solvents to spot clean. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not recommended. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered.
Code S Cleaning Instructions
Spot clean only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area first. Do not saturate. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a nonmetallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance.
Do not use water. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry cleaned.
Code W-S Cleaning Instructions
Water-Based Stains
Water-based stains include ketchup, mustard, wine, soft drinks and most food stains.
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Lightly blot the area to remove excess liquid compounds. This may be done with a paper towel or a light cotton terrycloth.
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Using neutral soap and water, gently rub the soiled area from side to center to avoid a halo effect.
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Rinse thoroughly with plain water to remove excess soap.
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The area may then be blotted with a clean towel, rubbing in a gentle circular motion to maintain the suede surface or dried by using a hair dryer to quickly complete the drying process.
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Buff or vacuum afterwards to maintain the suede look and feel.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains include ink stains, cake-type shoe polish and cosmetics.
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In most cases, these stains may be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution, as with water-based stains, if the area is only lightly soiled. Examples of this would be a light pen mark or light shoe polish on the bottom of a recliner.
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For heavier stains, a solvent compound may be necessary. If so, any over-the-counter compound, such as K2r upholstery cleaner or other nonbleaching household cleaners, may be used. Always spot clean an inconspicuous area first with the cleaner to make sure the fabric will not be damaged. Always follow instructions on the label of the cleaner. Lightly clean the area with neutral soap and water to remove any excess cleaner.
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Dry and buff as in steps 4 and 5 for water-based stains.
Code X Cleaning Instructions
Do not use a foam or liquid cleaner of any type. Vacuum or brush lightly to remove soil.
You can always refer to the manufacturer's website, or even a Grand Home Furnishings expert, for more information on what type of cleaner you should use. Keep in mind if you purchased a furniture protection plan you will need to call them first before attempting any of the cleaning suggestions above.
Purchasing a new sofa, recliner, or other upholstery material is always an exciting moment, and ensuring that the product remains a part of your home for years to come is essential. Take care of your upholstery, and it will take care of you, too!
For more information on what Grand Home Furnishings offers compared to other furniture and mattress shops, visit us in-store at one of our 18 locations in Virginia (Bristol, Charlottesville, Christiansburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Roanoke - Outlet, Tanglewood & Valley View, Waynesboro, Wise, Winchester, the new GHF Furniture Outlet in Staunton), West Virginia (Beckley, Lewisburg, Martinsburg, Princeton), and Tennessee (Johnson City, Kingsport) or shop with us online at https://www.grandhf.com/.
