There’s nothing like the feeling of gazing upon your brand-new sofa. The fabric is pristine, the colors are right, and the cushions are nice and firm. But that feeling won’t last long… or will it? We’ve got 6 practical tips to help you keep your furniture looking fresher for much longer.
Fight Fading
While direct sunlight will help your houseplants thrive, it is not good for your furniture. Bright light will fade fabrics and dry out leather. Consider where the light hits before you place your furniture in the room.
If the perfect place to put your sofa happens to be in direct sunlight, you have a few options. You can limit the time blinds or shades are open during the day.
There’s also the option of UV filtering window film to partially block the fading effects of sunlight. Slipcovers are another alternative. They will fade over time, but you can replace them at a much lower cost than new furniture. If you have a leather sofa in the sun, make sure to condition it frequently to prevent cracking.
Vacuum Frequently
Crumbs, dust, and dirt not only look messy, but they actually wear down upholstery fabric like sandpaper. When you sit on dirt, you grind it into the cushions and wear them out faster.
Make sure to use the upholstery attachment for your vacuum and not the regular cleaning head. Consider buying a hand vac specifically designed for cleaning upholstery. Vacuum at least once a week, more often if you have pets or your sofa gets a lot of use.
Don’t Let Stains Set
If there’s a spill or you notice a stain, act immediately. The longer stains set, the more likely they are to become imbedded.
Blot up spills immediately with paper towels or a clean cloth. Then you can carefully attempt to clean the stain with warm water. If that doesn’t take care of the stain, try an upholstery stain remover. It’s a good idea to keep some in your cleaning cupboard just in case of an emergency so you don’t waste time running to the store when a spill happens.
*Always check a hidden spot on the sofa to make sure the fabric is colorfast.
Plump It Up
Every time you use a pillow or a cushion you crush a little of the life out of it. Fluffing up pillow and cushions every day extends their life and helps them stay firmer for longer.
If your cushions have zippered covers, unzip and plump up the filling occasionally.
Change Your Seat
Do you always sit in the same spot on the sofa? If one area is getting more use than the rest, it will start to sag and wear down faster. Rotate your favorite spots on the sofa or and least swap out the cushions and pillows to even out the use.
If the cushions are reversible make sure to flip them frequently to even out the wear.
Cover It Up
Throws are a great way to add pops of color and pattern to a room and also a perfect way to protect your sofa from kids and pets. Plus, they also help keep you warm.
We all love our pets, but they bring hair, paw prints, and unwelcome odors onto the sofa along with them. A special blanket gives your pet a comfy place to snuggle and keeps those unwanted extras off the upholstery. Just make sure you frequently wash Fido’s favorite throw (and yours, too.)