Soft Furnishing Maintenance 101
Find out how to keep your cushions, curtains, carpets and upholstery in their best shape
While your furniture pieces fulfil the functional requirement of a room, your soft furnishings decide the aesthetic appeal of the space. A homeowner is spoilt for choice for there are endless varieties of fabrics and designs in the market. But factors such as, durability and maintenance often go up on the priority list. To let you have the best of both worlds, here is a list of dos and don’ts when it comes to dealing with soft furnishings in your home.
Don’t
• If you have small children and/or pets at home, do not get upholstery in delicate fabric with thread work, embroideries or too much texture. Such fabrics are prone to easy wear and tear.
• Do not use harsh brushes to remove dirt from delicate upholstered furniture; it will damage the fabric.
• If you have small children and/or pets at home, do not get upholstery in delicate fabric with thread work, embroideries or too much texture. Such fabrics are prone to easy wear and tear.
• Do not use harsh brushes to remove dirt from delicate upholstered furniture; it will damage the fabric.
Drapes
Do
• Lightly shake the curtains while drawing them close every evening – this doesn’t let the dust settle in the folds for long.
How to choose curtains? Read this
Do
• Lightly shake the curtains while drawing them close every evening – this doesn’t let the dust settle in the folds for long.
How to choose curtains? Read this
• Consider how much the window gets exposed to sunlight while buying curtains; certain fabrics tend to fade due to the harsh light. Attaching a lining of a light-coloured cloth to the curtains will help protect the fabric.
• Read the care label to get the instructions about washing, drying and ironing your curtains. (This particular rule applies to all soft furnishings.)
• If you have to iron curtains, always iron on the reverse side.
• Read the care label to get the instructions about washing, drying and ironing your curtains. (This particular rule applies to all soft furnishings.)
• If you have to iron curtains, always iron on the reverse side.
• Vacuum curtains once a month using the soft brush attachment. Before you start vacuuming, secure all the embellishments, such as buttons, beads, trimmings etc. The top and the hem need more cleaning as these parts collect more dust and dirt respectively.
• To give extra body to lace curtains, dip them in a starch solution. Hanging a lace curtain when it is not fully dry will give it a softer look.
Don’t
• Do not wash curtains with water if the lining and the curtain are of different or delicate fabrics. Chances are that one fabric might shrink causing the curtain to lose its shape. Get them dry cleaned instead.
• Washing curtains in a washing machine isn’t a good idea if they have embellishments attached to them or if they have pleats (the pleats might not stay in shape). The tumbling motion of the machine dryer will create tough-to-remove creases. Hang curtains outside but away from direct sunlight to let them dry naturally.
Tip: To prevent curtain fabrics from shrinking while washing, use cool water and a mild detergent.
• Do not wash curtains with water if the lining and the curtain are of different or delicate fabrics. Chances are that one fabric might shrink causing the curtain to lose its shape. Get them dry cleaned instead.
• Washing curtains in a washing machine isn’t a good idea if they have embellishments attached to them or if they have pleats (the pleats might not stay in shape). The tumbling motion of the machine dryer will create tough-to-remove creases. Hang curtains outside but away from direct sunlight to let them dry naturally.
Tip: To prevent curtain fabrics from shrinking while washing, use cool water and a mild detergent.
Cushions
Do
• Just like seating cushions, throw cushions also need the occasional beating and fluffing for durability and for maintaining their shape. This helps in redistributing the filler evenly.
• You also need to air your cushions every two months; this will help get rid of any odour that might have built up over time and will keep the mites away.
Check the right way to fluff your cushions
Do
• Just like seating cushions, throw cushions also need the occasional beating and fluffing for durability and for maintaining their shape. This helps in redistributing the filler evenly.
• You also need to air your cushions every two months; this will help get rid of any odour that might have built up over time and will keep the mites away.
Check the right way to fluff your cushions
Don’t
• Just like curtains, do not wash your cushions or cushion covers without reading the care label. Many use delicate fabric or have runny colours.
• Try and not fold or bend cushions too much while resting on them.
• Just like curtains, do not wash your cushions or cushion covers without reading the care label. Many use delicate fabric or have runny colours.
• Try and not fold or bend cushions too much while resting on them.
Carpets
Do
• Vacuum carpets regularly to stop dust or debris from collecting on, in the fibres.
• Any spill needs to be cleaned immediately to prevent permanent damage. In the case of liquid spill, immediately blot with a towel, stain remover and dry with a vacuum.
• All carpets should be cleaned by the professionals once every six months.
Find out how to choose the right carpets for your home
Do
• Vacuum carpets regularly to stop dust or debris from collecting on, in the fibres.
• Any spill needs to be cleaned immediately to prevent permanent damage. In the case of liquid spill, immediately blot with a towel, stain remover and dry with a vacuum.
• All carpets should be cleaned by the professionals once every six months.
Find out how to choose the right carpets for your home
Don’t
• Do not pull any loose threads in your carpet – clip them with scissors.
• Don’t allow your family members or guests to wear shoes on the carpeted area; this will prevent dirt and other debris from reaching the carpet, especially if it is an expensive one.
• Try not to put heavy furniture with sharp base/feet on the carpet; these will leave a permanent dent.
Read more:
D For Declutter, D For Decor
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
Tell us:
What is your go-to trick to remove tough stains from fabrics? Share your tips in the Comments section below.
• Do not pull any loose threads in your carpet – clip them with scissors.
• Don’t allow your family members or guests to wear shoes on the carpeted area; this will prevent dirt and other debris from reaching the carpet, especially if it is an expensive one.
• Try not to put heavy furniture with sharp base/feet on the carpet; these will leave a permanent dent.
Read more:
D For Declutter, D For Decor
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
Tell us:
What is your go-to trick to remove tough stains from fabrics? Share your tips in the Comments section below.
Do
• While choosing the fabric for your upholstery, consider the usage of that particular piece of furniture. For areas like the family den, where your family spends more time, durable fabrics such as cotton or synthetic work better. Delicate fabric for sofas and chairs are suitable for the room where you entertain guests occasionally.
• Vacuum your furniture at least once a week to remove dust, dirt and food crumbs etc. Use the upholstery brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Take the seat cushions out and vacuum the corners of the couch.
• Fluff the seating cushions once a week and flip them or change their position on the couch. This will even out the wear of the cushions.
• After washing the covers, put them back on the cushions while they are slightly damp for a better fit.
• Also do consider getting a professional cleaning service once in three months for your sofas.
Tip: If you have a pet and wish to remove fur from your sofas, wear a rubber glove and run your hand over, in circular motion, collecting the fur in one place.