How to Clean Furniture

Cleaning furniture can become tedious, especially if you are unsure what to do. This is our guide on how to remove dust, soil, fingerprints, marks, and deposits to leave your furniture looking clean and hygienic. Many people tend not to bother cleaning furniture because they don’t think it’s necessary, however we believe they are wrong as unhygienic furniture can cause mold and bacteria to grow due to the sweat and moisture they absorb.

Required Equipment

To start, you will need the appropriate PPE specific to the cleaning solution. For the small, tight areas, you will need a bucket, a lint-free cleaning cloth, a duster, and a non-abrasive pad. A cleaning solution appropriate to the material is important because using the wrong cleaner can strip the protective coating and damage it. The polishing solution needs to be suitable to the material, as the incorrect polishing solution can ruin the furniture.

Preparation

As we mentioned before, make sure you wear the correct PPE, especially gloves, because the solutions may have harmful chemicals such as detergents which can expose your skin. When you use a bucket, always check it is clean and ready to use. Sometimes dirty water may still be inside your bucket from the previous use if so, rinse out with clean water. Finally, for the preparation, open your windows, as the polishing solution can have a strong smell.

Dusting the Furniture

Clear surfaces to be dusted using a dry, lint free duster systematically dust vertical surfaces from top to bottom and horizontal surfaces with straight, overlapping strokes. Re-fold duster as necessary to ensure that dust is not re-deposited onto cleaned surfaces. Start to draw dust out of corners and away from the edges of horizontal surfaces. For the last part, replace duster and it is important you do not flick the duster as the bacteria you have collected will spread across the room you have just dusted.

Damp Wiping Furniture

Clear surfaces to be wiped and fill your bucket halfway with water. Add cleaning solution to the water according to the directions on the label. You are ready to place your cloth into the bucket to soak up the cleaning solution. Wring out until nearly dry. The surfaces from top to bottom will need the surfaces wiping using smooth fluid strokes. Rinse cloth in the cleaning solution and wring out until almost dry. Take care to avoid splashes on other surfaces. If this occurs, wipe clean with a damp cloth. 

Polishing the Furniture

The clear surfaces now need to be polished to finish this process. Apply the polish to a lint-free cloth and wipe the surface. Avoid splashing the polishing solution onto floors, soft furnishings, electrical equipment, or sockets. Once the surface is dry, buff to a sheen.

Final Stages

• Throw away dirty water from the bucket
• Clean and dry the bucket
• Dispose of the cloth you have been using