CARING FOR YOUR FABRICS
Make your furnishings last long by keeping them free of stains, dust and dirt. All you need to do is follow these clever ideas.
The life of an upholstered furniture piece is directly proportional to the care and maintenance it’s fabric is provided with. Same goes for curtains, and bed and table linen. Therefore, it becomes imperative to know about different textile qualities, how they should be kept, maintained and cleaned.
TEXTILE S ON FURNITURE
Dirt and dust shorten the life of the fabric and also degrade its appearance. To achieve longer life, regularly vacuum using a soft brush. Cleaning should begin once you notice that regular vacuuming and dusting is no longer solving the purpose. A foaming cleanser is usually recommended. Though usage dictates frequency of cleaning, ensure you clean it at least once, every three months. For stain removal, do not use household cleaners, they are too harsh. Also, before cleaning and stain removal, always check if the fabric can withstand the cleaning agent being used; test it on an area invisible and leave it to dry. As a rule remember, Natural fibres are good with absorbing perspiration, however, they attract both water and oil. Synthetic fibres on the other hand resist water but attract oil. The worst friends of stains are mixed fibres as they highly resist both water and oil and make for comfortable upholstery materials.
KEEP THE BED CLEAN
Some measures that should be taken to maintain the health of bed linens include washing bed sheets at least once, every 15 days. Using a zippered pillow protector under the pillow cover to save the heart of the pillow from hair and oils; and cleaning the mattress once a month with baking soda for stains.
TIME FOR A CURTAIN CALL
To prevent dirt and dust from collecting on curtains, give them small jerks. Ensure they are washed once, every month. Always iron them from reverse side. If they have lace, remove dust with the help of the dryer. So, to ensure the long life of home textiles, use these tips and tricks to keep them clean and stain-free.