Home > Fabric Sofa Care & Maintenance
Fine furniture is an investment worth protecting. Proper care and attention help maintain your furniture’s finish and presentation; moreover, it will ensure that it looks great year after year.
Caring for Furniture
Caring for furniture is easy if you follow some of Massimmo’s suggested practices. These recommendations, if exercised judiciously, will extend the lifespan of your furniture.
When dusting or polishing any of the wooden surfaces of your furniture, do ensure you use a moistened cloth. Dry dusting will promote scratching. Be sure to use a soft, clean cloth that won’t scratch or mar any of these surfaces. Always test your polishing practices in a small area of your furniture not directly in the line of sight. Avoid coarse, or scratchy materials, as polishing cloth. Never use soap and water on furniture. Water can and does penetrate the surface of your wooden furniture, thus raising its grain and promoting other long-lasting damage.
The Enemies of Furniture
Many common problems in furniture care are caused by exposure to a number of harsh environmental elements. If you are aware of these potential trouble, the damage can be mitigated.
Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can damage and fade any sort of furniture surface, including fabric, leather, plastic and wood. Arrange your furniture out of sunlight wherever possible; sun filtering fabrics used as drapes can reduce intense sunlight hours.
Liquid spills will damage furniture if not removed as quickly as possible. If a spill does occur, immediately blot it gently without rubbing the surface of the furniture. The heat generated from friction occurring when rubbing at a stain can create chemical change in the fabric of your furniture, which can result in unpredictable spotting.
Massimmo builds furniture to look great and last. Your fine upholstery will continue to look good by following the steps presented below.
- Vacuum or brush lightly using a non-abrasive horsehair brush to reduce dust and grime build-ups. Care should be taken to clean the vacuum head prior to making contact with the cushions, fabric surfaces,etc.
- Turn your cushions monthly (if design permits). This prevents the cushion covers from wearing more prominently in one area as well as reducing traveling marks around the cushion edges.
- Remove dust, dirt and debris from your sofa’s deck on a routine basis.
- Plump pillows and turn on a regular basis to promote the cushion covers from taking a patterned-based shape.
- Never remove cushion covers for dry cleaning or washing, even though they may have zippers. The likelihood of restoring your cushions beyond the original look is remote should you remove coverings.
- Clean spills immediately.
- Avoid placing newspapers on upholstered furniture to prevent ink from getting on fabric.
- Do not use solvents, dyes near your upholstered furniture, as these may cause permanent damage to the fabric.
- Most importantly, contact a professional furniture cleaning service to remove overall soils or stains.
Alcoholic Beverages
Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. mild colourless dish detergent.
Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain persists, move onto the next step.
Mix 2/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup white vinegar.
Repeat step 2-4 above. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
Blood
- Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. mild colourless dish detergent.
- Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
- Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
- Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
- If stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain persists, move onto the next step.
- Mix 1/2 cup water with 1 tsp. ammonia. Wear protective rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
- Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
Candle Wax, Crayons
- You will start with dry-cleaning fluid, available at grocery and hardware stores. Wear protective rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Do not use when smoking or near an open flame.
- Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
- Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
- Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
- If stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain persists, move onto the next step.
- Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. mild colorless dish detergent.
- Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
Chocolate, Fruit Juices, Soft Drinks
Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. mild colouless dish detergent.
Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
If stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain
persists, move onto the next step.
Mix 1/2 cup water with 1 tsp. ammonia. Wear protective rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain still persists, move onto the next step.
Mix 2/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup white vinegar.
Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
Coffee, Tea
Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. mild colourless dish detergent.
Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
If stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain
persists, move onto the next step.
Mix 2/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup white vinegar.
Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times. If the stain still persists, move onto the next step.
You’ll start with dry-cleaning fluid, available at grocery and hardware stores. Wear protective rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Do not use when smoking or near an open flame.
Repeat steps 2-4. If the stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
Grease, Oil, Water, Unknown Stains
- You will start with dry-cleaning fluid, available at grocery and hardware stores. Wear protective rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Do not use when smoking or near an open flame.
- Test a piece of fabric. If the fabric is not adversely affected, proceed.
- Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Start from the edges and work your way in. Avoid over wetting the area.
- Blot the stain with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Let the fabric dry completely.
- If stain remains, try applying the mixture a few more times.
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