How to take care of your furniture.
Furniture is one of the larger investments that a person will make over their lifetime. Proper treatment and care of your furniture will give you the longest possible useful life, and the best return on your investment.

Proper environmental conditions are essential to the optimal performance of your furniture. The following will affect the useful life of your furniture:

Direct Sunlight
It is best to keep your furniture out of the direct sunlight as it has a bleaching effect on wood finishes and can cause upholstery fabric to fade. In some instances it can result in the deterioration of the fabric backing. If you have a room that receives direct sunlight you may need to use drapes or blinds at the time of day when the sun comes in the most. On wood pieces you should rotate your accessories to avoid darker spots.

Moisture
The wood that is used in the manufacturing of furniture is kiln dried to a 8% moisture content. When furniture is exposed to an environment that is either too damp or too dry, some of the wood components may be affected. When furniture is placed in a very damp environment some of the wood components may swell. Conversely, in a very dry environment the components will shrink. You may have noticed that some drawers may stick when the humidity level is high. A rule of thumb is that if it is comfortable for people it is a good environment for furniture.

Temperature
To avoid damage your furniture should be stored in an even environment. Exposing furniture to extreme cold or heat may cause cracking in the finish or excessive drying of the wood. We would recommend storing furniture at a temperature of 40-90 degrees farenheit.

Proper Use
Furniture should be used for its designed purpose. The arm of a sofa is not meant to be sat on and will eventually become loose. Wood tops should be protected from abrasive items. Lift, do not drag items across the top of a table or dresser. Felt pads, available at hardware stores, can go a long way to protect the tops of furniture. Spills should be cleaned as soon as possible on both wood products and upholstered items. The longer a stain is allowed to set in, the harder it will be to remove. Hot items should never be placed directly on a tabletop, as this will cloud and darken the finish. Always use a trivet for hot serving dishes. The lacquer that is used by most manufacturers is resistant to alcohol, water, heat and most household liquids, but liquid that is left on top will eventually eat through the finish. Nail polish, nail polish remover or perfume will seriously damage the finish on most furniture. If you do spill nail polish, nail polish remover or perfume on your furniture it will soften the finish. It is best to let the spill evaporate and dry. Once the spill has dried the finish will return to its hardened state and it can be repaired. Wiping it off will cause smearing and a larger area will be affected..

To learn more about caring for you furniture
please choose one of the links below:

Wood | Upholstery | Leather | Mattresses