New furniture can make your house feel like a home. But if you don’t enjoy holding your breath every time a kid runs through a room or company stops by, you may be wondering how to keep that investment pristine for the long haul. Here are seven tips for keeping your home furniture beautiful.

Clean Up Spills Immediately

Sometimes, spills don’t seem like an emergency. But if you want to keep that new sofa, ottoman, or dining chair looking great, clean up all spills immediately. Many foods and drinks contain dyes and acids that can eventually corrode or discolor fabrics.

Vacuum Furniture Regularly

You might feel silly vacuuming your leather couches or using the detailing tool on your new recliner, but vacuuming your furniture helps eliminate microscopic abrasives that can cause pilling and wear. Vacuum your furniture whenever you vacuum the rest of your house, and make sure the attachment hoses are clean before you begin so you don’t transfer dust and debris.

Watch for Ploppers

Chairs and sofas aren’t made for plopping, which is why you should watch for people who look like they might fall back into those chairs. To stay on the safe side, ask your guests to sit down slowly to prevent undue stress on furniture frames.

Avoid Drafts

Sudden temperature changes from drafts can make the wooden framework of your furniture expand and contract slightly, which can cause warping. Keep furniture away from things like air ducts and open windows to keep it safe.

Read Cleaning Product Labels

Before you use that all-purpose cleaner to wipe down your leather sofa or clean those cane-backed chairs, read the labels carefully. Many cleaners contain ingredients that can be harmful to varnishes or delicate fabrics.

Use Your Shades

Sunlight can also be hard on furniture, causing problems like faded fabric or bleached wood. If you have furniture that is in the direct path of sunlight shining through a window, consider relocating the piece or using your blinds, shades, or curtains.  

Lift, Don’t Drag

To protect your furniture, work with another person to lift and relocate pieces instead of dragging them to new destinations. Using a team approach to furniture moving will help you to avoid stressing the furniture joinery, preventing damage.

Do you have damaged furniture that needs to be replaced? Bova Contemporary Furniture has an incredible selection of modern living, dining, office, bedroom, and outdoor furniture in addition to a wide range of lighting fixtures and accessories. Explore their inventory online from the comfort of your own home, visit their Cincinnati, OH showroom, or call them at (513) 247-9100 to learn about current specials. You can also find the furniture store on Facebook.