Buying quality furniture is a significant investment, considering both price and the fact that it sets the tone for your home. When you go through the trouble of selecting, purchasing and placing a piece, the last thing you want is for it to break down. Here are some tips and guidelines to follow to make sure your furniture lasts.
Wooden Furniture
Wood is one of the most popular building materials. Typically, people's dining tables and chairs, coffee and side tables, bed frames, dressers and desks all fall under the wooden furniture category.
If wood gets scratched or scuffed, you can use shoe polish and a wax coating to fill and mask dents on the surface. A lesser-known trick is to rub a walnut over the scratch until it disappears.
When treating stains on wooden furniture, be sure to fully dry the area after cleaning to avoid rot. RIS Media suggested some fixes for different kinds of stains. For water stains, rub toothpaste and baking soda onto the area and wipe the residue away. Treat dark spots from water damage by blotting with vinegar, and remove crayon marks by soaking in mayonnaise and wiping clean.
Couches
Couches tend to be some of the most expensive pieces we purchase to furnish our homes. To help them last longer, it's important to treat your couches well. Don't leave them in direct sunlight, don't smoke near them, try not to sit in the same spot every time and never jump onto them. One Good Thing also suggests vacuuming upholstered couches and using special wipes on leather couches to keep them clean and smelling fresh, and rotating cushions to help them keep their form.
When shopping for your couch be sure to ask about the durability and cleanability of your fabric. Highly durable upholstery-grade polyesters are available in many colors, styles, and feels so make sure you are buying something that will look good and hold up to your families lifestyle. If the couch does happen to get stained, most fabrics will clean with warm, soapy water but for more persistent stains, gently dab it off with a pet stain-remover, as they tend to be much more gentle than all-purpose cleaners, according to Reader's Digest.
Mattresses
When it comes to mattresses, the best thing you can do to make it last is to rotate it. Similarly to couches, they can become warped and dented if you tend to lie in the same position on the same spot on the mattress every night. Although flipping is a good idea with older mattresses, Sleep.org says most modern mattresses are designed with a defined top and bottom sides.
Don't jump on the bed or eat food on it, and treat stains similarly to how you treat those on your couches. A water-resistant fitted mattress cover will help protect it from bugs and allergens as well as stains. Mattresses tend to only last about 8 to 10 years even with the best care, so it's equally important to know when it's time to buy a new one.
Overall, if you want your furniture to last, treat it with kindness. Browse Arwood's selection of furniture and mattresses to find the perfect pieces to fill your home.
