How to clean your furniture?

It's time! Known as the time of year when we refresh everything we can get our hands on. In other words, it's time to clean our house and do a deep clean.

We will see how to become outstanding cleaners. Not casual cleaners who quickly clean the bathroom and push dust under the sofa, but diagnostic experts who know how to clean a variety of fibers, materials and fabrics.

We like to keep things clean in the office. So much so that we've written about it in some detail over the years. Now, let's take a look at some of the most common pieces of home furniture and how to keep them clean.

To that end, we've put together this handy furniture cleaning guide to help you join us on our quest for expertise. Roll up your sleeves and put on an apron: we're going deep.

1) How to clean leather furniture

There's nothing quite like the creamy, soft texture of leather. A leather furniture piece is a carefully considered investment purchase. Generally, semi-aniline leather is used. A quick reminder: The term "aniline" refers to the dyeing process a hide undergoes after being tanned.

Aniline leather retains its natural markings (insect bites, scrapes, etc.); semi-aniline leather is coated with a thin layer of wax before dyeing to allow for more uniform color absorption. Semi-aniline leather has a more uniform appearance.

Number one tip from the ultimate furniture cleaning guide: know your fabric.

Aniline refers to the dyeing process a hide undergoes after being tanned. We offer two different types of aniline in our collection: full aniline and semi-aniline.

We love full aniline leather because it is particularly forgiving. General wear appears on the sofa but quickly harmonizes with the overall look and blends in. Cleaning full aniline and semi-aniline leather furniture is the same, and it's simple.

Once a week, take a clean, damp cloth and use it to wipe or polish away any visible marks. Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove debris and crumbs from tufts, seams, and corners. Doing this regularly will prevent debris from settling into hard-to-reach areas.

To keep your leather looking its best, regularly wipe it with a leather treatment product to hydrate and shine it. Apply them once you have received and set up your sofa or armchair, then again every six months to keep it in perfect condition.

If you spill something on your leather sofa, cover the affected area with a soft, dry cloth to absorb excess moisture. Be careful not to rub the stain! We understand: you're nervous about your sofa, and rubbing seems like a good way to get rid of the stain.

In reality, it only encourages the stain to sink deeper and set. Don't do it. Once the initial spill is absorbed, gently clean the area by wiping it with a damp cloth. From there, you can assess what further action to take.

You might be happy to find that the stain is gone. If it has left a visible mark, consult a leather specialist or your local dry cleaner.

2) How to clean fabric furniture

This is a two-pronged effort. Since all your fabric pieces will benefit from regular vacuuming, you're going to have to take a close look at how clean your vacuum cleaner is.

Make sure the vacuum head is clean, the bristles are free of grit and dust, and the canister is empty, wiped down, and ready to collect a bunch of new dirt.

We'll let you determine how much to scrub your vacuum, but keep in mind that the cleaner your cleaning tools, the cleaner your home will be. Consider this tip number two from the ultimate furniture cleaning guide. Bam.

Vacuum attachments are made for upholstered fabric furniture. Literally. The fabric attachment is the small rectangular piece with soft bristles around the suction area.

Go over your fabric furniture, paying close attention to seams, crevices, and tufts. A lint roller is useful for removing particularly stubborn debris (cough, pet hair, etc.).

As for spills. Look. We're not trying to stress you out, but time is of the essence here. The quicker you deal with the spill, the less likely it is to set into the fabric.

As soon as you see that spoonful of sauce or splash of red wine, grab a clean, absorbent cloth or a paper towel.

Contain your urge to rub. Remember, that will only push the spill deeper into the fibers. Instead, simply place the cloth over the stain. Leave the cloth in place until all the liquid has been absorbed. Then, let it air dry or use a low-heat hairdryer to dry. You'll be surprised how effective this simple step is.

Once the stain is dry, assess whether or not it needs further attention. If there is a stain, add a small amount of dishwashing detergent to half a cup of water and shake well.

Use the resulting suds to clean the stain, but again, don't rub too vigorously. Instead, blot and dry. If you have a significant stain or are dealing with heavy soiling (oops), consult a furniture cleaning specialist.

Woven or upholstered fabrics that fall into this category include:

New Zealand wool
Wool
Viscose
Cotton
Merino felt

3) How to clean velvet furniture

Like its fabric cousin, velvet furniture enjoys regular vacuuming. Vacuuming keeps velvet looking neat and helps the fibers stand up, maintaining the shimmering depth of its pile.

As with fabric, use your vacuum cleaner's fabric attachment. Vacuum your velvet in short, quick strokes, paying close attention to crevices and seams. By removing grit early and often, you'll preserve your velvet pieces for years to come.

A problem unique to velvet pieces is "crush marks" from packaging, heavy objects piled on top, or very long movie sessions (we see you. laugh). You might notice them as silvery lines running through the pile of your sofa. Fortunately, they are easy to remove.

Knock knock. Who's there? BAM, it's tip number THREE from the ultimate furniture cleaning guide: crush marks are actually velvet hairs that have been crushed.

You can remove them by using a garment steamer to gently undo the crush, lifting the velvet and smoothing out the creases. Between steaming, gently brush against the nap of the velvet to release the creases.

For stains - again, time is a critical factor. As with fabric, as soon as you see a stain, grab a clean, damp cloth and blot it.

Avoid rubbing; instead, wait for the stain to be absorbed and dry completely before moving on to the second step of your cleaning request. The same water and dish soap method is recommended for small, easy-to-manage stains, but for major accidents, consult a professional.

4) How to clean wooden furniture

A natural material, wooden furniture brings warmth and interest to a space. Treat your wooden furniture well and you will have it for years, even generations, to come.

Fortunately, wood maintenance is simple. Solid wood and veneered wood can be cleaned with a damp cloth to remove dust, crumbs, or stains.

Wood is durable, but it can be discolored by chemical cleaners. It's best to stick to mild soap and water. While solid wood can eventually be sanded and restained to look new, wood veneer needs ongoing care if you want it to last forever.

For all woods: immediately blot spills, use coasters for sweating glasses and hot dishes, and wipe down often. If you are cleaning your wooden furniture, be sure to dry it after wiping.

Moisture can leave marks and stains on natural materials. It's not the end of the world, but it can be avoided.

A) Cleaning solid wood

Beautiful and durable, solid woods are natural materials that react to extreme changes in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure. For general cleaning, use a soft, non-abrasive, slightly damp cloth to remove dust or dirt.

If you need to remove a sticky stain, grab two cloths. Dip one in a bubbly bath of dish soap and hot water, wring out the excess water, then wipe the stain. Then, wipe the entire area again with the other dry cloth.

B) Cleaning teak

Teak is a tropical hardwood with a tight grain and a beautiful, shiny patina. As it is a natural material, it is affected by changes in temperature and humidity.

Exposure can lead to small cracks called "splits." To prevent this, keep your teak furniture away from windows and heaters, and treat it with teak oil to restore moisture.

To clean your teak furniture, simply wipe it with a damp cloth and a mixture of water and soap. It probably goes without saying (we'd like to consider this an ultimate furniture cleaning guide tip, but... we won't), but please, never use a pressure washer.

Over time, all wooden furniture begins to show signs of wear. This is a natural part of the aging process and adds to the unique charm of a piece. If you have marks to address, consider a touch-up or wax filler pen. We stock both of these in a range of shades.

C) Veneered wood

Veneered wood is an excellent alternative if you are looking for a lighter, more adaptable piece. As veneer is simply made of thin strips of wood glued together, it is less susceptible to environmental stresses such as humidity and temperature changes.

Since veneered pieces cannot be sanded, it is important to care for your coasters to ensure the longevity of the piece. As with solid wood, avoid moisture and hot dishes, and promptly treat stains and marks with warm soapy water.

5) How to clean marble furniture

Marble is cool, visually appealing, and really, really porous. Not only does it make a regal statement in your living space, but your marble table loves to absorb spilled liquids.

Which sounds better than reality. When it comes to your marble tables, spills should be avoided rather than treated.

Of course, in case of disaster, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth and avoid household cleaners or chemicals. Marble is particularly sensitive to acids (lemon, vinegar, etc.), and this also applies to cleaners.

6) How to clean metal furniture

Most of our metal products are made of steel and are easy to clean with hot soapy water.

For everyday, pedestrian cleaning, all you need is a cloth and a bucket.

To treat spills, blot the offense with a clean, absorbent cloth, then wipe with a soapy cloth. Be sure to dry the area once the spill is cleaned to avoid discoloration.