RUG & FURNITURE CARE

Turn your rug annually to prevent the effect of traffic patterns and sunlight exposure. To reduce wear and prevent slippage, all rugs (including rugs placed on wall-to-wall carpeting) require padding. Always vacuum your rug in the direction of the nap, which you can feel with your hand. However, do NOT vacuum your rug's fringe. Sweep the fringe with a broom instead. Never place house plants or flower pots on your rug as moisture could penetrate or condense on the bottom of the pot and cause permanent mildew damage. Do not use steam cleaners or chemicals to clean your rug, which can remove natural oils and prematurely age your rug. Visual inspect your rugs every few months to identify signs of wear, which usually begins on the edges and ends of your rugs. Also look for 'missing' knots of the back of your rug, which is a sign of moth damage. Have a professional clean your rugs every 2-3 years, or as needed.

Rug Pad Care Rug pads reduce impact and abrasion for your rugs that receive any amount of foot traffic. Pads also help hold the rug in place, preventing slipping, buckling, and wrinkling on any flooring surface. It also helps to protect your hardwood flooring or tile underneath the rug.

Rug Storage If you need to store your rug for more than a couple of months, always have your rug cleaned, sprayed with insecticide (making sure the rugs is completely dry) and wrapped in plastic or a tough synthetic building paper like 'Tyvek'®. Newspaper and brown wrapping paper are too acidic and will not protect your rug from moisture or insects. Store your rug in a clean, dry place, and check on your rug periodically.

Upholstery Care It is essential that you know how to properly care for your upholstered furniture since it plays a vital role in the look and feel of your home's décor. It is important to know what type of fabric your furniture is upholstered with before attempting to remove a stain from the fabric. The majority of furniture companies provide standardized cleaning codes and instructions on their upholstered furniture. If these codes are not available, contact the manufacturer or a professional cleaner for more information. It is also recommended before you clean any piece of furniture that you spot test the cleaning product you intend to use in an inconspicuous area on that piece. Deodorizing your upholstery on a regular basis is also an important part in caring for your furniture. Purchase a deodorizer that uses enzymes to eliminate the odor.

Aniline Leather – Has a natural appearance and features marks such as barbed wire scars, scratches, brands and wrinkles. Aniline leather should be vacuumed using a soft brush attachment and rubbed with a cleaning solution using a soft cloth to help preserve its quality. Aniline Plus Leather – Is the most common form of leather. It is pigmented and treated to reduce marks, provide a smoother color, and to prevent stains. Clean this type of leather as you would Aniline Leather. Nubuck Leather - Has been buffed to resemble velvet or suede, and is more likely to stain and fade. Use a cleaner specifically made for Nubuck to help the leather resist natural body oils, perspiration, liquid spills, and to help it maintain its texture.

• Keep your home’s relative humidity between 25-35% by using a humidifier during the winter and an air conditioner during the summer.
• Do not place hardwood furniture directly in front of heat vents, fireplaces, or radiators.
• Avoid continuous sunlight exposure.
• Store table leaves in the same vicinity as the table so they can adjust to the same relative humidity.
• Clean hardwood surfaces using a mild non-alkaline soap and water with a damp cloth and dry the surface immediately.
• Occasionally wax or polish your hardwood furniture every 6-12 months. Be sure to remove old wax first with a mild non-alkaline soap and water.
• Use coasters to prevent spills, stains and damage from hot dishes.
• Store solvents, alcohol, nail polish and polish removers away from your hardwood furniture.
• When dusting, never slide objects that are resting on your hardwood furniture, always lift the object.
• When moving your hardwood furniture, always lift it, don't drag it.