After a hard day’s work, your favorite place to relax and unwind may be a sofa or recliner. However, maintaining their condition for years to come requires proper housekeeping practices. Here are several tips to make sure your upholstered furniture stays in excellent shape.

How to Care for Upholstered Furniture

1. Avoid Direct Sunlight

If a couch or recliner is made from a fine fabric or leather, you should avoid placing it in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays work their way into the fabric, causing colors to fade and reducing the strength of fibers, which can lead to fraying.

While occasional sun exposure won’t damage your furniture, prolonged exposure will. To avoid damage and to keep your pieces looking new, draw the curtains or keep the blinds closed during peak sunlight hours.

2. Spot Clean

One of the best ways to ensure your upholstered furniture has a long life is to care for spills as soon as you can. Blot any liquid stains immediately with a dry cloth or paper towel.

To avoid pushing the stain further into the fabric, don’t rub or scrub it. If the fabric has been pre-treated with a protector, then blotting should be enough to remove the stain. If the stain has settled in, ask the manufacturer or a housekeeping service which cleaning solutions are best suited for the material.

3. Vacuum

Vacuuming removes lint, dirt, dust, and hair from fabric surfaces throughout your home, including upholstered furniture. Include your fabric couch cushions or dining room chairs in your weekly vacuuming routine to remove any surface dirt to prevent it from settling into the fibers. In between vacuums, you can use a gentle brush to sweep away food particles, pet hair, or dirt from these fabrics.

4. Fluff the Cushions

Your sofa cushions take a beating, especially if you have active children in the house. With all the sitting and jumping that furniture endures, it’s common for it to become flat.

As part of your routine housekeeping, give the cushions a gentle punch, slap, or prod to plump them up again and return to their original shape. Doing this daily or a couple of times a week will ensure your upholstered furniture keeps its form.

Are you looking for a professional cleaning service to help you with your housekeeping chores? The team at Maid Brigade of Frederick in Maryland has been dusting cobwebs, vacuuming floors, and cleaning window sills for residents and businesses throughout the area since 1989. They utilize green cleaning materials and methods to protect their staff and their clients. To schedule a weekly, bi-weekly, or one-time appointment, call (301) 698-9204. You can also find more information on their website.