Easy Home Care and Maintenance Tips
Properly maintaining your furnishings and materials is key to preserve the design and protecting your recent interior investments. With continued care and maintenance throughout the year, your updated home will stay beautiful for years to come.
Over the years, I have gathered a list of easy home maintenance tips from my trusted vendors. This list isn’t all-inclusive but it’s a great reference point to start maintaining your home.
GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Use a soft, damp, lint-free cloth for every day maintenance
Avoid harsh chemicals that will deteriorate finishes and materials
Protect surfaces and flooring finishes by using table pads, felt pads, and/or rubber furniture cups
Avoid placing furnishings in direct sunlight (or opt for additional UV protection)
Rotate furniture cushions periodically for balanced use
Rotate area rugs for balanced wear
WOOD CARE
Quality wood furniture is a significant investment expected to last for generations. To maintain its beauty and prolong its lifespan, wood furniture needs the right care. The finish protects the wood and adds to its beauty. While there is no indestructible finish, proper care will ensure it will outlast.
Nutley, NJ: Interior Design by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor Photography.
CLEANING
Clean wood furniture surfaces by rubbing in the direction of the grain. Our furniture vendors recommend polishes because it contains detergents, emulsifiers, and mineral oil. The detergents clean dirt from the furniture, the emulsifiers give it body to clean and last longer, and the mineral oil acts as a barrier for dirt and moisture. Polish your furniture approximately every six months using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth rubbing in the direction of the grain. Once a year, apply a coat of Danish oil.
Our furniture vendors recommend avoiding silicone cleaners and waxes. Silicone cleaners create high-sheen but it seeps into the finish, creating a barrier that will not accept stain or lacquer. This makes it virtually impossible to refinish or touch-up your furniture down the line. Waxes should be avoided because regular use may result in a build-up of wax film on the surface of the furniture which could attract dirt resulting in smudges and streaks.
Dusting
To prevent scratches, dust with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. Furniture with a high-gloss finish require extra care to prevent dust and smudges from being overly apparent. Be especially careful to avoid scratching high gloss finishes by using a feather duster or very soft, clean cloths and wiping with minimal pressure.
PROTECTION & PREVENTION
To protect surfaces, always use drink coasters and placemats. Wipe up any spills immediately. Water spills that sit too long can cause white spots. Use protective pads under hot dishes. Cover the bottoms of all tabletop accessories with felt pads.
For large wood surfaces like a dining table, we recommend custom table pads for an extra layer of protection when entertaining.
For wood flooring, all furniture that sits on the floors should get felt pads added before use. Our furniture movers suggest using hot glue to ensure the pads stay in place rather than relying on the adhesive that comes with felt pads.
Do not expose wood to extreme changes in humidity.
Avoid placing wood or furnishings in direct sunlight (UV window film is a great way to safely let the light shine in). Avoid extreme changes in temperature by arranging furniture away from radiators, heat, air vents, or air conditioning units.
STONE CARE
Our stone experts recommend using a PH neutral stone cleaner such as Miracle brand in a concentrate form on all stone, marble, and granite. Use mild, non-abrasive detergent and water to remove stains from Marble.
Our favorite stone cleaner is Method Daily Granite Cleaner which is plant-based, non-toxic, no harsh chemicals, and cruelty free.
Somerset, NJ: Interior Design by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor Photography
PLUMBING CARE
Our plumber experts recommend Flitz or Faucet Brite and Decorative Finish Polish for Kitchen and Bathroom decorative fixtures and faucets that are Stainless Steel, Chrome, or Brass metal finish (read bottle for specific metal finishes). It effectively cleans dirt, water spots, and scratches. Cleanse plumbing fixtures with a microfiber cloth for optimal results.
For metal, plastic, and fiberglass finishes — our tradesmen also recommend using Flitz Liquid Polish which removes rust, tarnish, and stains while polishes your fixtures.
STAINLESS STEEL CARE
Care for your stainless steel appliances and kitchen sinks with our favorite eco-friendly stainless steel cleaner like Method Steel for Real cleaner. Spray on your appliance and wipe away clean with a microfiber cloth. For optimal results, wipe away in the direction of the brushed stainless steel finish.
The most convenient stainless steel cleaner that we recommend is the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Wipes which allow you to clean and swipe with one sheet.
GLASS CARE
We recommend using only Sprayaway Glass Cleaner on glass surfaces such as dining room tables, painted glass, stained glass, antique mirrors, and bronze mirrors. To preserve the longevity of the glass, use ammonia free products.
To remove stains from glass, mix 3 parts vinegar and 1 part ammonia onto the stained area and let stand for 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the severity of the stain. Wash off with soap and water followed by a glass cleaner.
UPHOLSTERY & LEATHER CARE
For upholstery care, we recommend Fiberseal products and services. Fiberseal is a professional service that provides preventative fabric protection and has their own line of cleaning products.
Any product or technique should always be tested on an inconspicuous area before attempting overall cleaning. Always blot stained areas to prevent further spread. We recommend using a professional cleaning service whenever possible.
To care and maintain upholstery, vacuum your furniture using the soft brush attachment to prevent dust and other debris from becoming embedded in the fabric and rotate cushions as necessary.
To maintain your leather upholstered furnishings, we recommend frequent dusting or vacuuming with an upholstery attachment is recommended. To remove soil or stains, take a lightly dampened cloth and use a mild solution of non-detergent soap and water to gently wipe the stained area. Do not rub and do not use furniture polish, saddle soap, oils, varnishes, ammonia water, harsh soaps. Let dry naturally and repeat if necessary.
Nutley, NJ: Interior Design by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor Photography.
CARPET CARE
VACUUMING
When it comes to vacuuming your carpeting, canister vacuums without beater bars are the optimal type of vacuum to use on rugs. For upright vacuums, use the handheld attachment whenever possible or turn off the vacuum’s beater bar. To protect the edges of the rug, refrain from running the vacuum over the edges of the rug or the rugs. Instead, use the handheld attachment or carefully place the vacuum on the rug.
CLEANING SPILLS
It’s important to clean spills immediately as once a stain sets in, its more difficult to clean. Our carpet experts recommend using Capture to clean rugs. Blot the spill with a dry cotton cloth or a clean paper towel. Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the center to prevent spreading. Never rub a spill as this forces the spill deeper into the rug. To remove any residual staining, dampen a cotton cloth or clean paper towel with clean, cold/lukewarm water. Gently blot with the damp cloth and quickly absorb the moisture on the rug.
IMPORTANT: Some fibers such as Viscose and Tencel rugs should never be cleaned with any water or liquid.
CARPET CARE BASED ON MATERIAL
Wool/NZ Wool - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains; regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
Polypropylene/Olefin/Polyolefin - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
Polyester/Acrylic/Poly Acrylic/Nylon - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
Jute/Seagrass/Sisal - Regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
Viscose/Tencel - Never clean these rugs with water or any other liquid.
Rope & Jute - Lightly brush or vacuum the material regularly to avoid dirt build up and debris. Wash occasionally using 15:1 lukewarm water and mild detergent solution. Wipe and brush in the direction of the weave to reduce friction.
We also recommend stain-treating your rugs through Fiberseal for preventative services and to prolong the life of your carpeting.