One very common mistake made in the general up-keep of the home is forgetting to professionally clean and maintain furniture such as love seats, couches, recliners, and dining room chairs. These pieces of furniture are often neglected as homeowners focus on floors and other general maintenance of the house, but when a homeowner actually sits down and evaluates the cost, furniture can be an expensive item to simply forget.
Think of it this way. Jeff just got a new car last week from a local dealer in town. He is extremely excited about the vehicle and realizes that the cost and value of the car go hand-in-hand with the up-keep and general maintenance of it. So what does Jeff do? He washes the car daily, makes routine oil changes every 3 months, and has the car detailed often. After all, the car was expensive but he is maintaining the value of the vehicle by taking good care of it.
I know it sounds a little far-fetched, but the reality of it is that furniture now days is pretty costly and can be an item that many people even budget for throughout the year. At the same time, it can be an item that’s maintenance is completely forgotten about. Here is what the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has to say about it.
“Furniture and fabric manufacturers recommend that consumers not wait until severe soiling occurs before cleaning because the greater the soiling, the less the likelihood of restoring the fabric’s original color, appearance and texture…”
General up-keep of furniture can look as simple as vacuuming in between cushions regularly, taking immediate action to soak up spills or accidents, and then having them professionally cleaned once every one or two years by a certified, professional cleaning company. If pets are getting on furniture on a regular basis, I would definitely recommend getting them cleaned yearly with the carpets. Other people may keep their furniture in pristine condition, but even they have to have it cleaned at some point. Natural skin oils will be left over time and will cause soiling to appear on the fabric.
The IICRC recommends certified, professional cleaners to help restore upholstery’s appearance, extend its life, and keep it looking “like new.”
So next time you think about having your carpets professionally cleaned, take a quick look at your furniture. Because you may decide it would be well worth it to have those cleaned too.
David Pollard (First Choice Cleaning & Restorations)