Upholstery Care Tips

When you've spent money on your sofas and armchairs you'll want to maintain their look and feel.

Even if you can't see the dirt, they get as dusty as your shelves and cupboard tops so treat all upholstery like clothes and clean them regularly, using a professional upholstery cleaning company like Chem-Dry at least once a year.

Keep them looking new:

• Vacuum or brush gently to remove dust, watching out for delicate fringes or braids
• Cut off any snags or loose ends and tuck them back in - never pull them
• Sit on it, don't trampoline and get pets seats of their own!
• Use arm caps - this is the area that shows most wear
• Swap the cushions around every week and plump them up regularly
• Avoid sitting on the edge of seat cushions, they could get distorted or damaged
• Wipe wood or decorative facings with a damp cloth to remove dust. 
• Blot that spot; check out our advice on dealing with stains

Keep them clean and tidy:

• Always follow the manufacturers cleaning and care instructions
• 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.
• Clean all upholstery at the same time to prevent irregular fading
• Avoid stretching zips when removing and replacing covers
• Get the best fit; put the covers back on when they're just slightly damp and never when wet
• Put the covers back on in the right order: arms, seat area, back and valance
• Allow the covers to settle on the furniture for a day so - if they do need ironing, do this after they've been fitted and use a damp cloth

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