The expert named the rules for preserving the appearance of furniture for many years to come

In furniture care, it is not so much diligence that is important, as the right technique. Varnished and veneered surfaces are recommended to be wiped every day with a dry microfiber cloth, and once a week with a slightly damp cloth or soaked in a special pH—neutral product. Oleg Dubrovin, head of the Dyatkovo Design Training department, told Izvestia about this on September 2.

According to him, plastics and films are less whimsical. Grease and sticky spots can be removed with a soapy solution, and then simply wipe the surface dry. However, do not use acetone, solvents, or abrasive sponges — they can damage the coating.

For shining metal surfaces — chrome or stainless steel — specialized products or a mild solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:1 are best suited. For example, in the kitchen they perfectly cope with mineral deposits from hard water and fingerprints. In addition, stainless steel products often contain silicone, which creates an invisible protective film.

"It is recommended to vacuum the fabric upholstery twice a week, but only with a soft brush attachment and strictly in the direction of the pile. Leather and eco-leather require more careful care: once every one to two months, treat them with a special conditioner cleaner. This will prevent drying out, cracking and create a reliable barrier against accidental stains," said Dubrovin.

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He added that before using any product, it is necessary to conduct a test in an inconspicuous area, since some dyes can be sensitive even to specialized chemicals.

A slightly moistened rubber glove or a rubber brush perfectly collects animal hair. You can also use sticky rollers or a cleaning vacuum cleaner with a turbo brush.

When it comes to stains, the key rule is to act as quickly as possible. The fresher the stain, the higher the chance of removing it without a trace. It is not necessary to rub the dirt — it only rubs it harder into the fabric structure and increases the area. It is better to get the stain wet by moving from the edges to its center.

"The less moisture you use, the better. After any cleaning, allow the furniture to dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Do not place hot cups or plates directly on the upholstery or armrests — even heat—resistant surfaces can deform or fade from constant overheating," the expert warned.

It is better to use coffee tables and trays for this purpose. It is also better to avoid prolonged contact of the upholstery with wet clothes or towels — this provokes the appearance of mold and deformation of the filler.

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Over time, the sun's rays can weaken the brightness of dyes or affect the structure of materials, making them more faded and brittle. This problem, which is especially relevant for regions with hot climates, is solved by dense curtains or modern blackout roller systems. There are also sunscreen films with a UV filter that are applied directly to the glass and cut off up to 99% of the radiation without depriving the room of natural light.

If the windows face the sunny side, this parameter should be one of the key when buying furniture.

"When choosing sofas, armchairs and poufs, pay attention to the quality of the upholstery fabric. As a rule, synthetic materials are less sensitive to burnout. As for cabinet furniture, responsible manufacturers choose materials for it that are resistant to color change due to special coatings," the specialist noted.

On August 13, Alexey Orekhov, an interior decoration expert and CEO of NATEK, spoke about common repair mistakes that can cause significant inconvenience in everyday life. According to him, tinted mirrors make it difficult to fix your hair or check your appearance before leaving home. Instead of a functional element of the interior, it turns out to be an object that interferes with habitual actions.

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