Life can be pretty hectic. From late nights at the office to taking the kids to soccer practice and enjoying get-togethers with friends, you’re constantly facing a full schedule. It can be easy to miss that your upholstered furniture is deeply soiled in all of the craziness. While most homeowners make it a priority to have their carpet and tile cleaned, the upholstery is often forgotten. But that doesn’t mean it’s not being damaged by dust and body oils.
Your upholstery constantly takes a beating as dust blows into the house through open doors and windows. Simply sitting on your couch can embed sweat deep into the material. Over time, these contaminants will make your sofa, love seat or dining room chairs start to look dingy due to the accumulation. You’ll then be faced with either having to mask the problem with a poorly fitting cover or replace the upholstery entirely.
Luckily, you can keep your upholstery looking great with regular cleanings. Just vacuuming the material can clean out any allergens or other irritants. Here are some other tips from a furniture store in Houston, MO that specializes in upholstered furniture.
How do I know when my upholstery needs to be cleaned?
A simple test can tell you whether it is time to clean your upholstery. Just take a clean white cloth, such as a towel or an old t-shirt, and rub it along the arm or cushion of the piece of furniture. A dirty cloth means it is time for a cleaning. If the cloth is still white, you can likely put off the deep cleaning for a few more months. Meanwhile, use a black cloth to check for any pet dander. Run it along the furniture before looking for any white dirt or debris stuck to the fabric. This means you probably need to clean the upholstery.
How frequently should upholstery be cleaned?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a great universal answer to this question. How frequently upholstery needs to be cleaned can vary based on quite a few different factors. For example, furniture that’s only used at the dining room table or reserved for holiday meals can probably be cleaned less often than the everyday chairs at your kitchen table. Homes with small children or pets will generally need more cleanings, as well. A general rule of thumb is to clean upholstery at least twice annually, with additional cleanings as needed. When purchasing a new piece of furniture, it’s best to check with a representative at your local furniture store in Houston, MO for any specific care instructions.
Sadly, some furniture might be too far gone for a cleaning to save it. Too much oil or dirt built up in the depths of the material can result in discoloration or even cause the quality of the upholstery to decrease significantly. If that happens, you are likely better off re-upholstering it or investing in a new piece of furniture instead of attempting to salvage it.
Visit Crowleys Homeworks today if you’re ready to replace a piece of upholstered furniture. As the top furniture store in Houston, MO, we carry beautiful pieces you’ll be proud to show off in your home. Stop by today to check out our selection!