Caring for upholstery furniture

Cleaning upholstery furniture

• Vacuum or brush gently to remove dust, watching out for delicate fringes or braids.
• Clean all upholstery at the same time to prevent irregular fading.
• Wipe wood or decorative facings with a damp cloth to remove dust.
• Thoroughly clean all upholstery at least once a year to prevent ingrained dirt, or get a professional upholstery cleaner in to do it for you.

Refitting upholstery after washing

• Avoid stretching zips when removing and replacing covers.
• To get the best fit, put the covers back on when they're slightly damp.
• Put the covers back on in the right order (arms, seat area, back and valance).
• If the covers need ironing, do this after they've been fitted and use a damp cloth over the material.

Upholstery maintenance tips

• Follow the manufacturer's cleaning and care instructions.
• Cut off any snags or loose ends and tuck them back in – never pull them.
• Seats are for sitting on – don't use them as a trampoline!
• Keep your pets off the furniture where possible.
• Use arm caps as this is the area that shows most wear.
• Swap the cushions around every week and plump them regularly.
• Avoid sitting on the edge of seat cushions as this could distort or damage them.