Furniture Tech » cleaning

Cleaning Leather Furniture

Admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:47:07 +0000

(Warning: Check with the manufacturer about cleaning instructions for your product!) Please consult the manufacturer of your furniture before cleaning with anything. Neutrogena soap, the clear with an amber tone to it, works really well for most stains on leather. Try this in a non conspicuous place before using on a open area. With a soft, damp cloth, with Neutrogena on it, very lightly rub the dirty area. Wipe the soap off with a clean, soft, damp cloth. Then dab dry with a soft, dry cloth. DO NOT SCRUB! DO NOT SOAK! Some leather colors are just sprayed on to the leather’s finish, and scrubbing will take the color off.

Cleaning Wicker Furniture

Admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:46:13 +0000

It can be cleaned with warm soapy water and then rinsed with salt water. To keep wicker from yellowing, scrub with a stiff brush moistened with warm salt water. To clean dust and dirt out of those hard-to-reach places, use a soft paintbrush or toothbrush.

Cleaning Metal Furniture

Admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:45:37 +0000

Outside metal furniture is tough, but it still needs to be cleaned to make it shine. Here’s how: Make a paste with 1/4 cup cream of tartar and baking soda, and then add 2 tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent. Polish the piece with this paste and wipe and polish with a dry cloth. Cover scratches with a permanent black marker for black metal furniture.

For areas missing paint or where rust has gathered, sand the area good and smooth with a 300 – 400 grit sandpaper (start with a 150 grit and work up, if it is really bad). Then spray the area with a rustoleum type spray paint in a can, you can purchase at any hardware store. Be sure the paint is rated for outside metal surfaces like rustoleum is. You should put on at least 3-4 coats, let dry between coats, (about 3-6 hours), and sand lightly with a 600 or 800 grit sandpaper in between the coats. Do not sand the final coat.

Cleaning Upholstered Furniture

Admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:44:53 +0000

(Warning: Check with the manufacturer about cleaning instructions for your product!) The real tip is frequent vacuuming using an upholstery or brush attachment. But for more stubborn stains:

These Are Wash Codes – found on furniture tags: (usually tags are found under the furniture, or under one of the seat cushions stapled or sewn to the seat deck.)

W – Use a water-based or foam cleaning solvent.
S – Use a mild, water-free dry cleaning solvent.
WS – Use either a water-based cleaning solvent, a dry cleaning solvent or foam cleaner.
X – Vacuum or brush lightly to remove soil.

Clean washable fabrics after testing for color fastness in a hidden spot.

The tag may indicate “W’ for water cleaning or “S” for solvent cleaning. Do not use water on furniture that needs a solvent, and do not use solvent on furniture that needs to be water cleaned, unless the tag has a “WS” code.

For water-washable fabrics (Code “W”), use a solution of 1/4 cup of high-suds laundry detergent with one quart of warm water, mixed in a blender Apply just the suds with a medium-bristled brush and then use a wet towel to go over the whole upholstered surface. When the surface is dry, vacuum up any remaining dirt.

For solvent washable fabrics (Code “S”), purchase a mild, water free, dry cleaning solvent and rent the equipment from your local fabric, upholstery, manufacturer, or furniture store, and use according to the directions on the solvent.