Furniture Care Guide

Furniture Care Guide
Upholstery
Leather
Wood
Quality upholstered furniture can last
a long time but it does require some
basic maintenance. Follow our quick
and easy steps to keep your upholstered furniture looking great and
lasting a long time!
It usually takes several hides of leather
to make one piece of upholstery merchandise. Variations in color and natural
markings are normal and should be
expected as leather is a natural product.
Wood has its own unique characteristics and that is what makes it so
beautiful. Variations in color, grain,
and knots are to be expected. Wood
expands and contracts with changes in
humidity and temperature.
Upholstery
Do!
Reverse, rotate, and/or fluff your seat cushions, back cushions, and toss
pillows to distribute the material. This will ensure the even wear of your
upholstered furniture and help to retain the original softness and resiliency.
Vacuum the seat cushions, backs, arms, and under the seat cushions regularly
with a soft brush attachment to remove any loose particles that could cause
your upholstery to wear.
Lightly brush (with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush) velvet, chenille, and
micro-fiber fabrics to restore the appearance.
Place furniture cups or non-skid disks underneath legs to help protect your
floors and carpets.
Pre-test all cleaning agents in a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding
to a larger area. Always clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle to
prevent rings. When cleaning a spill, always blot, never rub. Use a clean,
absorbent white cloth.
The “Do’s” & “Don’ts”
of Cleaning
Don’t
Place your upholstery
furniture in direct sunlight
whenever possible.
Place your upholstery furniture in close proximity to
heat registers or portable
heat sources.
Use strong chemicals or
detergents to clean
your upholstery furniture.
Upholstery
Issues and Cleaning
Fading
All fabric and leather upholstery merchandise will fade
over time. How much fading occurs depends on the type of
fabric (cottons and primary colors show fading the fastest).
Fading is not covered by any manufacturers’ warranty.
Pilling
Fabric pilling is normal. Pilling can be controlled through the
use of a fabric shaver. Pilling will eventually cease over time
and shaving does not affect the performance or longevity of
the fabric.
Shading
Shading is common in fabrics like velvet, chenille, and
micro-fiber. It is normal and should be expected.
Fabric Cleaning Codes
To successfully clean fabric, it is important to determine the recommended cleaning code. The cleaning code
for your upholstery fabric is usually located on the seat decking of the upholstered merchandise that has
removable cushions or the “law label” of most other upholstery merchandise.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions. Remember to pre-test any cleaning
product in an inconspicuous area and to use a soft, white cloth for application.
W
Spot clean using the
foam from water based
cleaning products such
as a mild liquid detergent or
upholstery shampoo.
S
Only mild, pure,
water free dry
cleaning solvents
may be used.
WS
Both water
based and
solvent type
cleaners are
acceptable.
X
Vacuum
or brush
only.
Leather
Wood Furniture
The “Do’s” & “Don’ts”
of Cleaning
Wood furniture has its own unique characteristics and that is what makes it so beautiful. No two pieces of wood
are exactly alike. Variations in color, grain, and knots are to be expected. Because it is a natural product, wood
expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature. Doors, drawers, legs, and table leaves may
need tightening or adjusting depending on these factors and it is normal for wood products.
Do!
Dust with a dry, soft cloth on a regular basis. Change cloths
frequently since the dirt on the cloth could cause scratching.
Occasionally (2-3 times per year) use a non-silicone based furniture
polish to clean.
Wipe up spills immediately and dry any excess moisture which can
seep into the wood. All marble and granite top tables are porous and
spills should be wiped immediately on these surfaces as well.
Store table leaves properly- flat rather than on the side as that
can cause warping.
Use coasters, place mats, table cloths, and table pads for protection
when placing hot dishes, utensils, pots, or serving pieces on the
wood furniture.
Don’t
Use wax based cleaners or interchange polish
types as this can leave residue which will cause
streaking and/or cloudiness to the wood.
Use glass cleaners, harsh chemicals, or abrasives
on any surface.
Place the wood furniture in direct sunlight
whenever possible.
Place the wood furniture in close proximity to
heat registers or portable heat sources.
Place rubber-based trivets on plates or table
accessories as they may bleed into the wood.
Please remember...
Even with careful use, furniture can often get damaged. For that reason, we highly
recommend investing in our Mealey’s 3 Year Warranty or our Guardsman 5 Year
Warranty which provides comprehensive coverage against accidental damages.
Please ask your sales associate for details on these plan options.
www.mealeysfurniture.com