Friday, June 12, 2009

Replace Sofa Cushions - Proven Techniques Help to Keep Your Furniture Clean


One of the largest investments you make inside your home is the money you spend on upholstered furniture. Because your purchase can be final for a long time it is important to choose a fabric that will suit your lifestyle and a style that will make you want to keep the furniture for many years. Dirt and oils from every day use, direct sunlight, constant wear and tear or kid's activities such as drawing crayons on the sofa can break down fibers in your upholstery and cause them to fade, look bad and wear out. Fabrics also hold on to odors so the furniture should be cleaned and maintained not only for it to look its best but also to preserve it and make it last longer. This will help the entire room smell and feel fresher as well as save thousands on furniture replacement.

By developing a regular routine of cleaning and following a few simple tips you can prevent your furniture upholstery from becoming worn, soiled and darkened by grime, grit and spills. Vacuuming your furniture every week is the most important advice you can follow. Regular vacuuming will prevent the buildup of dirt and grime as well as prolong the need for a deeper cleaning.

You can keep your furniture looking great by not eating food on the furniture. It is impossible to prevent spills and drips or stop the kids from wiping their greasy hands on the furniture and by keeping food away it makes it easier to stop the mess. When spots do appear it is important to remove them as soon as possible using a damp cloth and some mild dish detergent. The longer a spot remains in the fabric the greater the chance it becomes permanent.

One method of preventing spots from becoming permanent on your furniture is to have Scotchgard applied. Scotchgard will add an additional layer of protection to your furniture making it easier to remove any spots or spills that may occur. Also Scotchgard prevents the buildup of soil from regular use and this helps to preserve the brightness of colors.

Turning your cushions is another important part of keeping your furniture free of excess wear and tear. This will make the wear and tear more even and prevents the grime from building up in one area. Keeping your furniture out of direct sunlight will prevent the fabric from fading and preserve the beauty of your furniture.

All upholstered furniture eventually gets a buildup of cooking odors, pollution from outside or body oils from frequent use. The only way to properly remove these problems is to have your furniture deep cleaned. It is important to use a method with low moisture to prevent any damage that can be caused by excessive moisture. And remove any buildup of soiling. By following a routine of cleaning every 12 to 18 months it will increase the likelihood of being able to maintain the beauty of your furniture.

If you try to clean the furniture yourself instead of having it professionally cleaned it can be a little tricky. Make sure you only use mild cleaning agents because some fabrics are much more delicate than carpeting. Some cleaning solution act as bleaching agents and can cause permanent damage to the fabric. Also excessive moisture can cause mold and mildew issues. With such a large investment and with the proper care and maintenance you can enjoy the use and relish the appearance of your furniture beyond your expectation.

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Replace Sofa Cushions - Sofa Buying Tips


There are no set rules in buying a sofa. It's all about personal taste and preference but unless you want to replace your sofa too quickly, you have to answer these questions to determine what's right for you:

1. Sofa Size: The size of your sofa may not be determined by the space you have but by whether you live in an apartment, a house, on the ground floor or upstairs. You need to know the maximum height and width of your doors, stairs, elevator and hallway to make sure the sofa gets into your home.

Some sofa manufacturers can build around the above or supply their sofas with bolt on arms or in small pieces to be put together in situ.

Other things to consider:

2. Upholstery material (leather, fabric or PVC): Choose material that matches your life style, that looks good, can hide soils and will last you long enough to recoup money spent!

To get the best from your sofa, determine:

* How the sofa will be used?

* How often it will be used.

* Are there animals and kids around?

* What the room traffic will be (how many people will use it at any one time?)

If you answered yes to most of the above, choose textured and heavy pattern materials. These will last long and hide stains and accidents by you and the kids.

Don’t forget that leather outlasts fabrics by 4 to1.

3. Money Spent v Quality: That a sofa looks good and (or) is cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it
will give you a good return on money spent. Apart from needing to replace it quicker, a badly
constructed sofa may be bad for your health. This is particularly true for people prone to bad backs.
It’s important to check:

* The workmanship and how the sofa is constructed. You don’t have much say in mass produced sofas whilst bespoke and handmade can be specific to your needs.

* Internal components and cushion fillers used

* Quality of the upholstery. Your sofa must look and sit good. Is there enough padding? Check that patterns match the cushions and skirt, that stripes aligned at the edges.

* Warranty period offered.

4. Creature Comfort: The comfort of your sofa is paramount. Every one sits differently.
So ask your self the following:

* What’s the best sitting posture for your life style (slouch or upright)?

* Does the sofa offer the best for your sitting posture?

* Is the sofa as comfortable as you want it?

* Are the seat height, the depth, the arm height & cushion fillers correct for your life style?