How To Keep Your Living Room Furniture Looking New

Your living room furniture is one of the largest investments that you will make when furnishing your home. For most people, it's also the most used room in the entire home. It's where the family gathers for quality time, it's where you relax and it's where you entertain friends. And, because your living room furniture gets used so much, keeping it looking new can seem like an impossible task.

Protect Your Investment

The normal use your living room furniture gets on a daily basis can really take a toll on your investment. But, if you frequently entertain guests, your furniture is even more susceptible to dirt, grime and spills. You can always resort to purchasing some vinyl covers for your furniture. But, vinyl covers can take all the "comfort" out of your comfort zone. Here are some easy ways to protect your furniture and keep it looking new.

Clean Regularly 

Keeping your living room furniture clean is one of the best ways to extend the life of your furniture and keep it looking new longer. Dirt and grime that builds up inside the fabrics will cause them to deteriorate and become weak. Get in the habit of vacuuming your furniture on a weekly basis so the soil won't accumulate. If you clean your furniture with the brush that came with your vacuum, make sure the bristles aren't hard. And, don't scrub the fabric with the brush.


Clean Spills Immediately

Be sure to clean up any wet or messy spills immediately. If liquids and messy spills such as oil are allowed to soak deep into the furniture, you won't be able to get them completely out. Whatever seeps into the cushioning will eventually cause odors, mildew, mold or even cause the material to start to rot. While spills can't always be prevented, you can prevent the damage they can cause to your living room furniture.

Never Use Harsh Chemicals

The best way to clean your living room furniture is with a damp cloth. Most living room furniture is treated with a protective layer that makes the material resistant to soils and stains. Harsh chemicals can literally destroy that protective layer and make the material look old and worn. If you must use soap, use a mild one and avoid soaps that create a lot of suds. The suds will leave a residue on the material that traps dirt.

Avoid Using A Steam Cleaner

A lot of people think that steam cleaning living room furniture is the best way to clean it. Truth is that steam cleaning should only be done as a last resort. Even when the surface of your furniture feels dry, it can remain wet and moist deep inside the furniture for days. Just like spills that are allowed to soak into the material, steam cleaning can cause mold to start growing inside your furniture. And, if it takes the furniture too long to dry, it will begin to smell especially if the weather is hot and humid.