Good furniture is an expensive investment.  Here are
some tips to make your furniture last.

Tip 1.
Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight.  If
this isn't possible, protect your furniture by closing
the curtains or blinds during the brightest part of the
day.  Use a leather cleaner/polish with UV protection
for your leather pieces.

Tip 2.
At least once a month, vacuum your upholstered furniture
using the soft brush attachment.  While your at it, go
treasure diving beneath the cushions for lost toys,
missing coins, and that ever elusive TV remote.  These
hidden treasures can wear and even tear your furniture.

Tip 3.

Loose cushions and pillows should be flipped, rotated
and fluffed on a regular basis to keep filling materials
evenly distributed and allow for even wear.

Tip 4.
Wood and other organic materials respond to temperature and
humidity fluctuations.  To prevent damage, place furniture
in areas of minimum temperature and humidity extremes.  This
means avoiding attics, basements, active fireplaces, and
heating vents.  When necessary, the humidity can be modified
with humidifiers and dehumidifiers to stay within the desired
range of 40% to60%.

Tip 5.
The best maintenance for clear varnished furniture is a
coating of good paste wax, available in most hardware stores.
Wax is a very stable material that does not change chemically
over time and provides protection from moisture and airborne
pollutants.  A thin coat applied no more than once a year
following the directions on the can is all that is needed.
Once a protective coat of wax has been applied, dry dusting
with a soft cloth is recommended for routine cleaning. A clean
cloth slightly dampened in water may help to remove more
stubborn dirt.

Tip 6.
Ideally, hardware should be removed for cleaning so that the
polish cannot come into contact with the surrounding wood.
If that is not possible or practical, polish the hardware
carefully, confining it to the metal only. There are many
polishes on the market. Those that contain ammonia can cause
long-term corrosion problems, so it is best to choose one
of the polishes that has a mild abrasive embedded in cotton
wadding.

A good option to a regular regimen of hardware polishing
is to have the hardware coated with clear lacquer.

Tip 7.
When moving furniture, be sure to lift it and not drag it
across the floor, as excessive lateral pressure on legs and
feet can cause them to shear off or leg joinery to fail.
Remove loose elements such as shelves, doors, and drawers.
If doors cannot be removed, lock them or wrap the case with
soft cotton straps. Tables should always be lifted by the
apron or legs rather than by the top, which could possibly
detach. Chairs should be lifted by the seat rails and not by
the arms or crest rail.

Tip 8.
When transporting furniture in a vehicle, place the object
on its back or top, not on its legs. If the furniture has
a marble or glass top, carefully lift it off and transport
or store it vertically.
 
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