Caring for Your Furniture

Good furniture lasts. We know this because pretty much everything we sell is around half a century old.

However, as robust as good furniture is, it still needs TLC. 

That is not to suggest it is a full-time job. Furniture care isn't (and shouldn't be) an arduous process.

That's why we've put together these simple tips to help you get the most out of your tables, chairs, lounges and more.

The Essentials of Furniture Care

The following are some rules to live your 'furniture care life' by:

• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Ignore this and you can expect your furniture to either change colour or, in extreme cases, shape.
• Test specialist cleaning products on a hidden area of the furniture and only do so after you have studied the label carefully. Don't just slap it on and rub it in as this may cause lasting damage.
• Dust furniture regularly. Frequent dusting prevents the build-up of airborne deposits that can scratch the furniture’s surface.
• Always lift furniture by the frame. Avoid lifting a table by its top, pulling a sofa by its arms and carrying extendable furniture by the leaves.
• To preserve the patina on your furniture, consider applying 2 coats of linseed oil or wax polish twice a year.

Furniture Care Specifics

Fabric Upholstery

You are likely to have fabric upholstery on at least one piece of furniture in your home so be aware of the following:

• Vacuum your upholstery once a week (it's not that big an ask). If you have one, use an upholstery attachment as this will help you get into crevices and achieve a deeper clean. Never brush the fabric. This could cause lasting damage to the pile.
• Wash all removable covers at the same time, in the same load. This ensures they all age at the same rate so you can maintain a uniform colouration. 
• Treat spills immediately. To be honest, we can't think why you would consider doing anything else. Never scrub at the fabric during the clear-up process and avoid using detergents. Do either of these things and you could increase the size of the stain.

Leather Upholstery

Most people think that maintaining leather requires time and effort. Most people are wrong. By performing a few minor tasks on a regular basis and some more extensive ones once or twice a year, your furniture will get better with age.

• Keep leather at its best by regularly wiping it down with a soft, damp cloth. Never use soaps, detergents or solvents.
• Never allow wet clothes to come into contact with leather (especially light-coloured leather) as it is susceptible to dye transfer from materials such as denim.
• Keep leather feeling supple by applying specialist leather conditioner once or twice a year. Remember, always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Wood and Veneer

Wood and veneer only really need close attention once or twice a year. When performed alongside regular maintenance, these simple chores ensure that your wooden furniture ages beautifully.

• Wipe your furniture down with a damp cloth on a regular basis. Apply a thin, even layer of good-quality wax polish or linseed oil every 6-12 months.
• Avoid using sprays, especially if they contain silicone as this can cause a sticky layer to form on top of the surface.
• Wood can be damaged by liquids so spillages should be cleared immediately. Never scrub at your furniture to remove stains as this will make matters worse.

Metal

Metal furniture is hardy, durable and built-to-last. However, with improper treatment or neglect, it can become susceptible to oxidisation. Avoid this by doing the following:

• Clean metal furniture with a damp cloth or sponge. For tougher stains and marks, use non-detergent soap but always be sure to wipe down surfaces afterwards.
• Never use abrasive scrubbers as they can scratch the surface and increase the chance of rust. Cover scratches and nicks with touch up paint.
• Regularly check furniture joints for signs of oxidisation and treat damage immediately. Oxidisation on aluminium furniture should be treated with a mixture of white vinegar and water.

Furniture Care Products

If you're ready to get straight into caring for your furniture, then we recommend you head to our range of wax polishes and oils.

All our products are 100% natural, meaning you can use them on food surfaces too. This is also handy if you blew your budget on a classy table and have nothing left for plates. Just an FYI.