6 Ways to Extend the Lifespan of Your Furniture
If you’ve spent countless hours toying with a wide spectrum of wooden finishes and carefully curating each fabric and texture in your home, you likely understand how costly furnishing a house can be. Investing in staple pieces can add up quickly, which is why increasing furniture longevity is critical to bypass potentially expensive repairs and replacements. Unfortunately, many people overlook basic upkeep, resulting in unsightly stains, scratched surfaces, and faded fabrics.
To prolong your furniture’s lifespan and avoid expensive replacements, read on for six ways to keep your furnishings in tip-top shape.
Keep away pests
Unfortunately, wooden furniture and fixtures are prone to termite infestation without proper treatment and maintenance. If you’ve noticed swarms surrounding fittings, strange wood-like droppings, or unexplainable damage, you may need to look into termite control solutions. Unfortunately, termites target any wooden feature, like couch legs, kitchen tables, and window sills, which is why pest treatments and consistent cleaning are vital in your pursuits of avoiding termite damage.
Stain proofing
Another way to extend your furniture’s lifespan is by stain proofing each item before you put it to good use. Unfortunately, many people overlook this step, opting to save money upfront by forgoing stain-proofing treatment, leaving them to fend for themselves when spills eventually occur. Ultimately, treating your furniture allows for a quick and easy clean-up when messy mishaps grace your favorite couch cushion. Plus, most stain-proofing services offer warranties that cover tougher stains that penetrate through the treatment.
Stick to timeless pieces
While most people will keep furniture with minor stains or scratches, many toss outdated items without blinking an eye or giving a second thought to preserving their unique aesthetic value. Popular, sought-after styles constantly shift, which means it can be challenging to stay up-to-date on the latest trends without dropping a pretty penny on brand new furniture each season. However, you can ensure your furniture remains in style by investing in timeless, classic staple pieces that pair well with various designs.
Keep up on upkeep
A foolproof way to ensure your furniture stays in mint condition is by cleaning it frequently and fixing damages immediately. Though it may seem evident that consistent upkeep is critical, you’d be surprised at how many people ignore basic cleaning and maintenance. Make sure you’re vacuuming off couches, wiping down dusty surfaces, and polishing wooden fixtures to restore and refresh your furniture. Additionally, pay close attention to rips, tears, scratches, or cracks and fix damaged areas as quickly as possible.
No pets allowed
Though keeping your furry friends off of your valuable furniture may be challenging as they stare at you with glossy, pleading eyes, your beds and couches will thank you in the long run. Pet hair, dirt, urine, and dander can build up quickly and is difficult to remove, causing many pet owners to toss out otherwise perfect furniture after short periods. Consider creating a designated space where your dog or cat can snuggle up or place a large blanket down before allowing them to join you on the furniture.
Use furniture-friendly cleaners
While it may be tempting to use your all-in-one surface cleaner to scrub down your furniture, make sure you’re using the correct cleaners for each material. For example, wooden fixtures require a weak solution, void of intense chemical compounds, to keep the grain fresh and damage-free. Other materials, such as suede or velvet fabrics, will need gentle cloths and light cleansers to avoid staining and permanent damage.
Wrapping up
When it comes to furniture maintenance, staying on top of stains, damage, and basic cleaning is key to prolonging its lifespan. That way, you can enjoy your like-new furniture for years to come.
- by Matt Watts
