When you take the time to select high quality furnishings and rugs, it’s important to give them the proper care. Here are just a few guidelines for extending the life of your special purchases…

Fine furniture care
Antique furniture care
Outdoor furniture care
Upholstery care
Oriental rug care
Ask our experts

Fine furniture care
With just a little care, your fine furniture will give you years of enjoyment. Here are some tips for extending the life of your treasures:

• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight. (Avoid placing furniture in front of or under windows, if possible.)
• Place furniture away from heating and air conditioning vents.
• Blot up spills immediately.
• Use coasters, place mats, and tablecloths to protect finishes.
• Rotate accessories. (This helps freshen the look of your rooms too.)
• Avoid prolonged use of plastic and rubber items on your furniture.
• Dust regularly and polish wood furniture every six months.

Antique furniture care
Antique furnishings require some special attention to maintain their longevity and value. Here are a few guidelines for protecting your classic pieces:

• Avoid using polishes, adhesives, fasteners, and finishes.
• Place antique furniture away from direct sunlight. Use curtains or shades to diffuse light whenever possible.
• Don’t place antiques near heating and air conditioning vents, radiators, fireplaces, or stoves.
• Use a humidifier or dehumidifier if your furniture is in a very moist or very dry environment.
• Monitor furniture for insect infestations. Contact an exterminator or conservator if you spot signs of infestation (bore holes, sawdust, etc.)
• Minimize use of furniture oils and avoid silicone-based polishes; instead, use high-quality paste wax and soft, slightly moistened cloths to clean and dust wood furniture. If you’re uncertain how to wax and clean your antique furniture, contact a furniture restoration specialist.
• Brass and copper hardware will acquire a soft patina over time. Resist the temptation to polish or remove the tarnish—the original patina is part of your antique furniture’s character.
• Move antique pieces carefully to avoid joint and finish damage.
• If you are uncertain about cleaning, repairing, or refinishing a piece of antique furniture, contact a furniture restoration specialist.

Outdoor furniture care
Today’s quality outdoor furniture is designed to withstand varying weather conditions and temperatures. You can extend the life of your outdoor furniture by following these guidelines:

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintaining the finish.
• Store patio furniture indoors or cover it when it’s not in use.
• Remove wooden furniture from standing water.
• Avoid direct contact with damp soil for extended periods of time.
• Close your outdoor umbrellas in high winds or storms.

Upholstery care
Before you try to remove a stain from your upholstered furniture, you should know what type of fabric you are dealing with. Most furniture companies provide cleaning codes and instructions. If you don’t have these, you can contact the customer service departments of the furniture’s manufacturer. In any case, test your cleaning method in an inconspicuous part of the fabric.

Cleaning codes:
S = Clean sparingly with water-free dry cleaning solvent.
W = Clean with water-based solution, such as mild detergent and water or foam upholstery cleaner. Don’t over-wet the fabric.
WS = Depending on the stain, use a water-based solution, dry cleaning solvent, or upholstery shampoo.
X = Have professionally cleaned. Vacuum or lightly brush the fabric to remove dust and light dirt. Don’t use cleaning solvents or water-based products.

If you are unsure about how to clean your furniture or don’t know its cleaning code, you may want to contact a professional upholstery cleaner. You may also choose to have a protective product applied to your furniture to resist dirt and stains. These protectors need to be re-applied over time.

Oriental rug care
Most Oriental-style rugs are exceptionally durable and don’t need much maintenance—so don’t be afraid to walk on them.

To keep your rugs in top shape, follow these simple guidelines:

• Clean your rugs regularly. Vacuum back and forth across the pile and avoid vacuuming the fringe. It is best to use a vacuum extension rather than the machine’s rotor or beater bar.
• Don’t wash your rugs in the washing machine. Have them professionally washed every few years.
• Use an under-padding to increase air flow and extend the life of your rugs.
• Rugs can be hung up and beaten from the back with a broomstick or similar tool to remove dirt and dust. You also can sweep rugs to remove dried surface spills.
• If you spill something on your Oriental rug, it’s important to act quickly. Blot up as much of the liquid as you can with paper towels, then use cold water and blot up more until the stain is gone. Don’t scrub the rug’s surface. If water alone doesn’t finish the job, add a small amount of mild cleaner like Woolite to the water and blot until the stain disappears.
• Always contact a rug repair professional to reweave rug borders and re-fringe your rugs. The specialists in Augustus & Carolina’s Rug Gallery offer the finest in rug repair and cleaning services.

Additional hints to protect your rugs:

• Minimize folds or creases in new rugs by placing a stack of books on top of the crease.
• Use coasters under furniture legs to avoid deep indentations.
• Align the rug pile and main source of light to take advantage of the rug’s intense colors.
• Keep pets that aren’t housebroken away from your woven rugs.

Ask our experts
If you have a question about how to care for your fine furnishings, we can help. Send us your question and we’ll provide an answer or refer you to someone who can.

cforms contact form by delicious:days