Heed Some Basic Care Advice For Furniture

By: Adriana J Noton

Furniture can speak volumes about ownership. It speaks of how you like to live, what you enjoy doing, how you spend your spare time, and how you want to be perceived. It is a clear extension of our personalities. So would it not be a good idea to care for your furnishings as you do for yourself? Heed some of this basic care advice for furniture.

Houses, businesses, barns, and ballrooms all have something in common. They all get furnished in one way or another. Mind you, some of these furnishings can be high ticket items, or at least look like they are, so how are that kept looking so good? Read on for some ideas.

When buying items, always, and this means always go for quality over quantity. One good solid couch will outlast two cheap loveseats over time. It is even better to buy good used furniture rather than cheap new stuff. The lesser goods will not serve you well when you need them the most. Lumps, tears, stains, and wobbles will drive you nuts.

And when you get the goods to where you want them, do yourself a favor and protect them. Use some of the advanced products that are available today. You can protect woods, finishes, varnishes, metals, and upholstery with easy to use sprays and wipes. This is an inexpensive insurance of very expensive items, and that is always a good trade off.

Whether indoors or out, it is always a good idea to consider the weather. Yes, even in the high rise apartments and offices, weather can be an issue. Sun beating through a window and on to fabrics can leech the color and life right out of them. Moisture is a killer to furnishings, as mold and mildew create rot and havens for insect that like to eat wood and upholstery. Keep clear of too much sun and dampness for long lived goods.

In addition to those pesky insects, there is another potential pest to consider: your family pet. While some pets are never going to harm your stuff, others will be terrors when left alone. Dog can scratch, chew, and go to the bathroom freely and with abandon. Cats love to have something to claw on when they get bored. Even your pet turtle could get in the act if his tank was upset. Pets, while so loved and adored, may not treat your furnishings with that same love and adoration.

Perhaps the best preventative maintenance you can do is to keep everything as clean as possible. Fabrics do better when kept dusted and vacuumed; woods look better and last longer when polished. Metals will not rust when kept clean and dry. Vinyl will stay shiny with a wet sponge once in a while. Keeping it clean also keeps you and your clothing cleaner, two other fine ideas for living well.

Like the homes and offices they belong in, furnishings can be expensive things to purchase. Protect those purchases with basic care advice for furniture. Your bank account, along with your resting body, will appreciate the effort.