Chenille

Stick to solvent-based cleaners since water can cause Chenille to shrink. Use a soft bristled upholstery brush in small circular motions to bring up imbedded dirt from the material. After this, vacuum at the lowest setting using the attachment upholstery brush to pick up the loosened dirt. You can vacuum on a weekly basis to keep it clean. For spills, blot them with a cotton towel as soon as possible. Brush the fabric using a hairbrush, apply a Chenille fabric solvent-based cleaner to the stain, and softly blot the stain using a clean rag until dry. Keep Chenille upholstery out of the washing machine, and avoid having dyes or anything that can permanently stain your Chenille nearby. Always check for tags that will serve as an additional guide on how to properly clean your Chenille furniture. If a tag is labeled “X,” it should be professionally cleaned. This also applies if your furniture needs to be deep cleaned.

Linen

Linen requires routine cleaning and can be machine or hand washed. Remove dirt with a soft bristled brush. Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes if the material is giving off any odors. Using a vacuum brush end attachment, remove the baking soda going from top to bottom of the furniture. Check for tags. If it is labeled “W,” the linen can be cleaned using water, “S” for solvent, “SW” for cleaning with either solvent or water, and if it is labeled “X,” the material should be dry cleaned.

For labels marked with “W,” mix one teaspoon of liquid dish-washing soap with a cup of cool water. Do not use hot water since it has the possibility of shrinking the material. Wipe this mixture over the fabric using a soft clean cloth, and blot any stains. Then, use a sponge with cool water to rinse off the mixture. If the label reads “S,” use a dry-cleaning solvent to dampen a cloth and gently apply to the material. Work outside-in by blotting the edges of the stain and work your way to its center. Afterwards, press clean towels against the material to dry.

Polyster Fiber and Microfiber

Read washing instructions for upholstery. If the tag is labeled “W,” this means to use a water-based solution versus a solvent-based solution “S” when washing. If the tag has “SW” then either solution is fine. On the other hand, if the tag is labeled with an “X,” then vacuum or dry brush only. For “S” or “W,” fill a spray bottle with either rubbing alcohol or water, spray the stained area, let it sit for about thirty seconds and then scrub with a light colored sponge. After the area dries, brush it with a clean scrub brush to avoid having any roughness on the furniture.

Vinyl

Vinyl cleaning needs to occur every six weeks. Use mild soap and warm water and mix it in a bucket. The ratio of soap and water will depend on how large the piece of furniture that needs to be cleaned is. Using a soft bristled brush, scrub down the furniture with medium pressure to remove dirt and debris. Depending on whether the vinyl is made for outdoor or indoor furniture, use either a hose or a towel dipped into clean water to rinse down the vinyl. After this, pat dry using a clean towel being sure to remove all moisture. If there is a mild stain, use a very small portion of bleach diluted with water, dab it onto the vinyl, and rinse completely with water. Remember to wear gloves when working with bleach.

For mildew purposes, mix one tablespoon of ammonium and peroxide, with three quarters of a cup of water. Scrub in the mixture, rinse it off with either a hose or a towel, and then dab dry with a clean cloth. Never use ammonium before or after removing stains with bleach since this can create a toxic gas. If using a stain remover, rinse it off the furniture completely. If the furniture is not being used regularly, place covers over the vinyl to protect it from further damage.

Glass

Glass cleaners used with either a paper towel or a microfiber cloth will help keep your glass furniture clean. If you want to make a homemade solution, use three quarters distilled water and a quarter vinegar with some dish soap, adjusting the ratios as you see fit. If your glass furniture hasn’t been dusted in a while, use a clean microfiber cloth to remove a good majority of the dust before using a glass cleaner.

Leather

Faux Leather

Before applying any mixture onto faux leather, test it in a hidden area. Doing this ensures your leather remains unruined. If a liquid has spilled, gently blot the stain as opposed to scrubbing it. If you start scrubbing, it will only push the stain deeper into the leather. Mix a couple squirts of mild dish soap and warm water into a spray bottle or use a white cloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Make sure to not overly soak the furniture. Scrub the stain using circular motions and keep sure that if a cloth is being used, change the part of the cloth being used to not put dirt back into the leather. Another option is to use baby wipes for small stains. If afterwards your leather looks cracked or dry, buy conditioner made for faux leather and massage it in.

Genuine Leather

Clean leather furniture every three months, or twice a year. Use a vacuum that has a soft brush attachment to fully clean dust and dirt. Make sure to get in between the grooves so that when the cleaning solution is applied, it will not damage the leather. Create a cleaning solution of half water, half white vinegar. You can also add a few drops of commercial leather cleaner into the mixture. Using a microfiber cloth, dip it into the solution and keep the cloth damp, but not soaked. Wipe down the whole sofa from top to bottom and rinse the cloth in the solution if needed. Then, dry the sofa using a clean towel.

When conditioning the leather, mix one part white vinegar and two parts of either linseed oil or flaxseed oil. If you do not have vinegar, moisturizing soap and water will also work. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply the mixture to the leather in a circular motion and keep it on overnight. After this, buff the leather with a clean rag.

Top Grain Leather

A quality leather soap or nubuck cleaning cloth are great options for cleaning top grain leather. Buy a soap that will not leave any residue to avoid breaking down the leather. Make sure to condition leather at least twice a year using leather conditioner and a soft clean cloth. This will ensure your leather from not drying out. Always keep leather furniture in a cool, dry place, and do not cover it with plastic. If you do, it will allow mold to grow. For spills, wipe them up as soon as possible as to not damage the leather, and set to dry in a cool place. If you do encounter mold growing on the leather, mix a cup of isopropyl alcohol with a cup of water, use a soft clean cloth to apply the mixture, then dry with a clean cloth.

Metal

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel should be cleaned every six to twelve months. Use mild soap and water with either a sponge or cloth to apply. Additionally, baking soda and warm water also helps with more difficult stains. If you do not have baking soda on hand, you can use white vinegar but make sure to rinse well and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Keep in mind to not use steel wool, bleaches or chloride-based cleaners since this will inevitably damage your stainless steel.

Brass

If your brass furniture is starting to look tarnished, simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt into half a cup of vinegar, then add flour until the mixture creates a paste. Rub the mixture onto your tarnished brass and leave it for ten minutes. After ten minutes, rinse and buff until dry.

Marble

Marble is a gentle porous material, and should be cleaned with a gentle touch. Dust the surface once or twice a week using a soft cloth. When washing marble, simply dampen a cloth with warm water and some mild dishwashing liquid if necessary. Use a separate dampened cloth to remove the soap. Please note to never use dusting sprays or harsh cleaners since these will damage the marble. To keep marble’s luster intact, apply marble polish. Use coasters, placemats or runners to prevent scratching or staining the marble. For stains, try removing them using a speciality made poultice.

Metal

Clean and polish wood according to your cleaning schedule, making it a point to take time cleaning the areas that are used the most and occasionally dusting and polishing every six months. For dining tables, place tablecloths and use placemats or felt pads to protect the wood. Use coasters to avoid leaving water rings on its surface. Investing in humidifiers or dehumidifiers will help keep wood intact since a constant change in temperature can eventually warp wood. Avoid cleaners with bleach and alcohol since these tend to strip wood. Both natural and artificial sunlight can bleach wood’s color. Try to keep furniture away from areas in your home that has an overabundance of light.