Properly caring for your furniture will help you maintain the integrity of the piece while allowing you to enjoy it for many years. At Plymouth Furniture, we want our customers to get the most out of their purchases, so we have compiled a list of at-home care to extend the life of your new investment.
Upholstery (Sofas/Lounge Chairs)
Vacuum/clean upholstered furniture regularly. Vacuuming will help reduce the accumulation of dust in between cushions, or near the crevices of the piping around the edges.
- If you have purchased a recliner, at least once a week, lightly brush off the fabric to help remove any soil/dirt between the moveable pieces.
In the same manner, use proper cleaning products when cleaning fabrics, covers, or pillows. Spot cleaning may increase the chance for discoloration/fading on certain fabrics. Ask any Plymouth Furniture Salesperson for recommendations on which product is right for your new piece of furniture.
- Accidents happen! If liquid spills on your upholstery, immediately get a soft cloth/tissue to blot up any excess fluid. Do not rub the spill into the fabric.
Avoid using arm and headrest covers/caps. They can actually cause uneven wear on your new cushions.
Flip upholstery cushions regularly to reduce body impressions. Regularly rotating cushions will even out welts, repetitive wearing on fabrics, fading, or soiling.
Sofa Sleepers
It is important to use caution when opening and closing your sleeper sofa. Lift the mechanism straight up and then out when opening the sleeper sofa. Use two people, if necessary, to avoid back strains or injuries. When closing the mechanism, be cautious of the locking bar and avoid pinching fingers in the hinges.
- Be aware of any small children in the room. You do not want to drop the sofa or mechanism on anyone’s toes!
When moving your sleeper sofa, ensure that the mechanism is properly tied down. This will help prevent it from shifting/bending/breaking during transportation.
If you are not using your sleeper sofa for an extended period of time, remove excess bedding. This will reduce the amount of stress on the mattress.
Mattress Care:
- Remove the plastic cover before use.
- Sleeper mattresses are not intended to be flipped/rotated. Some are even hinged to the mechanism frame.
- Vacuum the mattress and sofa cushions in between uses. Do NOT lift the sofa to vacuum underneath when the mechanism is fully extended.
Leather Care
Try to maintain 20"-24" of space between leather furniture and any heat source. Prolonged exposure will cause your leather to dry out.
To prevent fading, do not place leather furniture near windows, under skylights, or in direct sunlight.
Use preventative maintenance when cleaning/dusting your leather furniture. Vacuum weekly, and use a leather cleaning cloth to wipe with a leather cleaner. Ask your Salesperson for recommended products.
- Regular cleaning will improve your leather furniture's resistance to staining and soiling. Especially on the seats, arms, and backs.
Mattresses
It is important to have a solid foundation for your new mattress set. Using a box spring (designed for your mattress) along with a metal frame or bed base will increase the comfort and longevity of your mattress.
- If you choose to use an existing frame, please ensure that there is a proper center support in place.
Use a mattress cover, and regularly clean/rotate your mattress.
For 5 Steps on How to Clean Your Mattress, visit our BLOG!
Lodge/Wood Furniture
Quality wood furniture has natural variations in color, grain, pits, and scars. These natural markings and distressing give your new pieces their character! Dust regularly to avoid build-up in any uneven surfaces, using a soft, clean cloth.
When dusting, spray the cloth first, then buff in a circular motion. This will help avoid scratches and the build-up of cleaning products.
When storing these pieces, do not leave them in hot or damp places (such as a closet or basement). When possible, cover in storage bags or cloths.
Dining room table inserts/leaves should always be stored flat to prevent warping. We recommend storing them under your bed, if there is room!
Dining Tables/Coffee Tables/ Side Tables
When cleaning the tables in your home use a soft, clean cloth moistened with a polish to wipe dust and dirt off your table in a circular motion. Ask your Salesperson for recommended cleaning products.
- Never use soap and water. The water can get underneath the finish and cause damage to the wood.
- Do not use oil-based or wax-based products, which can cause streaks in your table’s finish.
- Change your dusting cloths regularly.
Remove all liquid spills from your tables as soon as possible. Blot (don’t rub!) the surface to absorb the liquid.
- Use coasters to help prevent condensation rings from forming.
When arranging your room, avoid placing your new tables in direct sunlight/close to windows. If these pieces are receiving sunlight throughout the day, rotate them regularly to avoid uneven fading/discoloration.
- On side/coffee tables, use protective dust clothes or padding to prevent scratches from decorative items placed on your tables.
- On dining room tables, use saucers or trivets under hot dishes. Excessive temperature changes can create spots on your table from chemical changes caused by usual heat sources.
Store tables in a space where the humidity is consistently between 25-40%. Use humidifiers in the winter and air conditioners in the summer to help avoid warping, cracking, and splitting.