Dust is your furniture's number one enemy.  It is abrasive and leaves surface scratches that dull the finish.  Dust also attracts moisture which can accumulate and weaken or soften the finish. 

The most important thing you can do to care for your wood furniture is to dust regularly.  Weekly dusting is recommended with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth.  Dust in gentle oval motions going with the grain of the wood.  Remember to lift decorative items, never slide them, when dusting to prevent scratching.   It is a good idea to use felt underneath objects to make them less likely to scratch, but avoid colored felt which can sometimes leach color onto your finish (brown felt is best).  Keep extra clean dusting cloths available so that you always have a clean cloth (visible accumulation of dust means you are spreading dust and scratching the surface).

Quarterly cleaning with a silicone-free wood cleaner will remove any grime or buildup.  It also helps make weekly dusting more effective and helps avoid scratches.   About every six months after cleaning, polish with a silicone-free wood polish to revitalize your furniture and repair small surface scratches.  Why silicone-free?  Silicone leaves behind a nice shine (and sometimes a slippery film), but over time it can seep through tiny cracks in the finish eventually reaching the wood and ruining the finish.  Silicone damage is difficult for even a professional refinisher to correct.

Of course, wipe up any spills immediately.  Water quickly leaves a mark and can damage your finish.    Keep wood furniture out of direct sunlight which can crack the finish and bleach the wood underneath.  Alternate or rotate accessories periodically will also help avoid fading.   Avoid the use of rubber or plastic items on your furniture for extended periods of time as these products can also damage the finish.


When moving furniture, it is best to lift the furniture. Sliding can place too much stress on the base or legs of your furniture. It was not built to withstand such lateral stress. Lifting completely will prevent loosening or even cracking your furniture's legs.


Furniture is meant to be used, not just admired.  When the minor mishap occurs, most can be corrected or minimized with the proper products.  We have water mark and stain remover products available to help minimize or remove damage when it occurs.

Just as dust accumulates on your wood furniture, it also settles onto your upholstery.   You can remove it by lightly vacuuming as part of your weekly dusting.

The best prevention for stains and spills is care and fabric protection.  We sell fabric protection plans and products that provide insurance against tears, spills, and stains because, let's face it, no one plans to mess things up.

Before you attempt to clean up spills and stains yourself, be sure you know your fabric's cleaning code.  Using the wrong cleaning materials can permanently damage your furniture.  If you are unsure of the code, find out BEFORE you clean.


Upholstery cleaning codes:

S- Clean fabric sparingly with a dry cleaning solvent that's water free.  Test a small, inconspicuous area for color- fastness first.

W -Clean fabric with a water-based solution such as mild detergent and water or foam upholstery cleaner.  Avoid over wetting. 

WS -Depending on the stain, clean with a water-based solution, dry cleaning solvent or upholstery shampoo.

X -DO NOT use cleaning solvents or water-based products.  Fabric should only be professionally cleaned.

Just as you would regularly dust or vacuum your other furniture, your leather (or vinyl) also needs basic cleaning to remove surface dirt, rejuvenate, and protect its beauty.  Oil-free leather cleaners and protectors will keep your leather soft and supple.

Leather's big draw is its beauty and durability.  Some visible wear on leather is generally desirable and is considered part of the its charm.  But even though it is quite tough, it can be scratched, stretched, or torn.  

Since damage to leather usually requires professional care, the best way to care for your leather furniture is to prevent anything sharp or rough from coming into contact with it.  Obviously, any sharp object has the potential to cause damage, but even metal on clothing (such as rivets or snaps), pet claws or tags, shoes, fingernails, or textured drywall finishes can easily scratch or tear your furniture.  Wipe up any spills as quickly as possible.

Just how susceptible your leather is to stains and wear, and how best to clean it, is determined by the style of finish.

Aniline leather is natural looking.  It features more noticeable hide marks, barbed wire scars, scratches, brands, and wrinkles.  Clean aniline leather with a soft cloth and a good quality leather cleaner to preserve it.  Light vacuuming with a soft upholstery brush is generally acceptable.

Aniline Plus is pigmented leather.  It has been treated to ensure a smoother color, fewer scratches, marks, and branding.  It has also been treated to help resist stains.  This is the most common leather finish on the market because of its great durability.  It can be cleaned just like aniline leather with a soft cloth, good leather cleaner, and light vacuuming with a soft brush.

Nubuck leather has been buffed to feel like velvet or suede.  It has more noticeable range marks, and is much more likely to stain and fade.  It will absorb body oils, spills, and perspiration.  It is much harder than aniline and aniline plus to clean, and it requires special cleaning products specifically designed for nubuck leather.