Cleaning Tips & Tricks for
Furniture and Hard Surfaces
When it comes to cleaning your home, the small things you do every day make all the difference. These small steps, if done repeatedly help create a great first impression when you have visitors in your home. As far as the cleanliness of your home is concerned, there are two things you should know to get the most out of the time you spend cleaning the home.
Firstly, you need to know where dirt, bacteria, and foul odors tend to lurk in the house. Those are often the least-cleaned areas of the home. In addition to knowing those places, you must have the tools to reach them and the right techniques for cleaning them.
The second thing you need to know when you clean your home is the right techniques for cleaning a wide range of surfaces. A single room in a modern home may have as many as 5-7 different materials in the furniture and flooring. Knowing how to clean these different surfaces is vital.
In this post, we share some of the best practices for cleaning the furniture and hard surfaces in your home.
Table of Contents
Wood Furniture Cleaning
The first thing when cleaning wood furniture is to find out what kind of finish your furniture has before you find the information on the right kind of cleaners and conditioners for that finish. To keep the wood furniture in the best condition, do the following:
- Always use a lint-free cloth to polish the furniture and do it on a schedule.
- Add a dab of furniture polish and rub it into the wood until it shines.
- To avoid smudging, use the same kind of oil- or wax-based polish every time.
- Always wipe in the direction of the grain of the wood.
- To remove built-up wax, mineral spirits or synthetic turpentine is recommended. For a uniform appearance, clean the entire furniture piece using a soft, lint-free cloth.
Always use a lint-free cloth to polish the furniture and do it on a schedule.
Leather Furniture Cleaning
Keep leather furniture at least two feet from heat sources, and never place it in direct sunlight. Heat will fade, dry out the leather and cause it to crack. Once this process starts, it is hard to stop, and your leather furniture will lose its appeal very quickly.
Cleaning tips for leather furniture:
- To remove stains, rub the spot with a microfiber cloth dipped in warm water containing gentle dish soap. Rub gently in circles, and then let the sofa dry.
- To clean the sofa, vacuum and dust the furniture regularly to get rid of crumbs and dirt.
- Afterward, spray leather cleaner on a clean cloth and wipe the entire sofa for an even look.
- Wipe away any excess cleaner, repeat the above step with a conditioner, and let the sofa dry.
- Do this every six months for light-colored leather and once a year for dark-colored leather.
To clean the sofa, vacuum and dust the furniture regularly to get rid of crumbs and dirt.
Upholstered Furniture Cleaning
Upholstered furniture needs more care because they are highly vulnerable to wear and tear.
Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Always act fast to deal with any stains.
- Vacuum the furniture often; use an upholstery attachment or a stiff-bristle brush, making sure to get into the crevices.
- Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, you may clean the sofa with W (water), S (non-water-based solvent like alcohol), S/W (any of these two), or X (vacuum only).
- Baby wipes will work for stains on most cotton and polyester furniture (test on a small area first).
- Flip the cushions regularly to make sure both sides wear evenly.
- You may use products like Scotchguard to prevent stains.
Vacuum the furniture often; use a stiff-bristle brush.
Wood Floor Cleaning
Although they are one of the most common types of flooring found in homes, wood floors are also the most easily damaged. They are vulnerable to everyday things like sweeping, mopping, heeled shoes, pet nails, and anything that applies pressure to their surface.
Here are cleaning tips for wood floors:
- Keep liquids from sitting on the floor surface for a long time.
- Keep grit off the floor by placing doormats inside/outside entrance doors.
- Vacuum your wood floor once every week.
- At least once a month, mop the floor to deep-clean the wood.
- Use a steam mop only if the wood is sealed and there are no worn (exposed) portions.
- Dust and mop your wood floor daily (especially high-traffic areas) to catch grit and dust.
At least once a month, mop the floor to deep-clean the wood.
Laminate Floor Cleaning
Laminate flooring is a cheaper alternative to wood floors. Laminate flooring does not wear out as easily as wood and does not require as much care as wood. But you do still need to be careful when cleaning this floor.
Cleaning tips for laminate floors:
- Laminate floors show dirt easily, but they can be cleaned just as easily.
- The best way to clean the floor is to vacuum and mop.
- Laminate floors tend to buckle, so do not use excess water when mopping.
- Also, be careful of using high wax finishes on your floor; it could become very slippery.
- Before you use a steam cleaner on the floor, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lastly, this is just a tiny sample of how to clean the different types of furniture and hard surfaces found in people’s homes. If you have questions about cleaning an item or surface not mentioned in the list, please contact us; we will be happy to help you.
Laminate floors tend to buckle, so do not use excess water when mopping.
Final Thoughts
Properly cleaning your home furniture is imperative to maintain its longevity and aesthetic appeal.
Over time, accumulated dust and dirt particles can cause damage and dull the appearance of furniture. Additionally, failing to promptly address spills or accidents can lead to permanent stains and irreparable harm. Regular cleaning helps eliminate odors, improve indoor air quality, and keep furniture looking new.
It is important to establish a routine cleaning schedule to safeguard your furniture investment and keep your interior space looking pristine.
