Furniture Tips

Learn more about your furniture and how best to care for it.

Upholstery Furniture

Upholstery Care & Maintenance

Vacuum upholstered furniture every few weeks. Even if your furniture has been treated with fabric protection, the dust and soil can build up over time, damaging the fabric.

Lightly soiled fabric can be spot-cleaned according to the Cleaning Code (below). However, professional cleaning is the best way to make a more seriously-soiled sofa or chair look its best.

If cushion casings (covers) have zippers, do NOT take them off for cleaning. Washing the casings will fade and shrink the fabric. Use spot cleaning procedures according to the Cleaning Code or take the entire cushion to a professional upholstery cleaner.

For liquid spills; blot with a clean, dry, absorbent 100% cotton cloth. Do NOT rub. It is best to use a white cloth because dyes from a colored cloth may bleed into the fabric. If blotting with a dry cloth does not finish the job, check the fabric Cleaning Code. Complete the cleaning process with the proper cleaning method.

If the furniture has loose cushions, it is best to flip and rotate them on a regular basis. This will even out the wear and extend the life of both the cushions and fabric.

The backs and arms on most furniture today are stuffed with a synthetic fiber filling. You should fluff them periodically by pushing up from the bottom. By doing this, you are working air back into the fibers making the upholstery fluffy again.

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight will cause fabrics to fade. It is best not to place upholstered furniture in direct sunlight. If near a window, use sheers or curtains to minimize the sunlight's rays.

Changing your room setting around from time to time brings a fresh look to the room, and helps to minimize any fading.

Recliners & Sleepers Care & Maintenance

1. Footrests are not designed to support a person's entire body weight. Twisting or jumping on a footrest will cause permanent damage to the mechanism.
2. Never force a mechanism. If a sleeper or reclining mechanism will not open or close. Check for loose bolts, screws or foreign objects (such as a child's toy) that may be jamming the mechanism.
3. Make sure you sit in the center of your recliner. Recliners are designed to be used with your weight centered, and your back resting against the backrest of the chair. If you favor one side of the chair, it will tend to lean in that direction. To allow the reclining mechanism to operate smoothly and easily, you must sit in the correct position.
4. Check for loosened bolts occasionally. Some bolts and screws may loosen with use. Turn chairs over by tilting them forward to check all bolts and screws. Sleepers can be checked by extending the mechanism and removing the mattress.

Fabric Protection Plan

If you have purchased our Fabric Protection Plan please refer to your warranty card for cleaning instructions. To keep your warranty valid, spills must be reported before you attempt to clean them.

Leather Furniture

Types of Leather

Full aniline leather - This is a top grain leather which receives its color during the tanning process, using aniline dyes. Sometimes, a wax or protective coating is applied. Color variations will be evident on these hides because of natural color differences and because some hides accept dyes differently from others. Since all the natural markings and scars are visible, each piece of furniture made with this type of leather is a one-of-kind heirloom.

Full aniline leather usually carries a premium price because only the best quality rawhides are used (about 3%-5% of the total supply). It usually has a softer feel than semi-aniline (finished) leathers, and has an elegant, low-sheen appearance. Furniture made with full Aniline leater is usually ALL leather (no matching vinyl is used).

Semi-aniline leather - This type of leather may also be referred to as finished, corrected or protected aniline leather. The natural markings, such as scars and blemishes, are usually removed (corrected) by lightly buffing the surface. This is a top grain leather which is aniline-dyed, but then has a pigmented finish applied to the surface. This ensures a consistent color from one hide to the next.

After the color coat is applied, a simulated or embossed grain pattern is applied to restore a natural look. A clear top-coat is also applied which increases the leather's ability to resist stains, spills and fading.

Because it is easy to clean and to maintain, finished leather is a good choice for furniture used by active families.

Sun Damage

The ultraviolet rays in sunlight will cause leather to fade. It is best not to place upholstered furniture in direct sunlight. If near a window, use sheers or curtains to minimize the sunlight's rays.

Durability

Leather will last up to four times longer than most fabrics. With proper care, it will feel even better with age. Modern leather will not crack or peel if cared for correctly. It stretches and retains its shape without sagging.

Leather Protection Plan

If you have purchased our Leather Protection Plan please refer to your warranty card for cleaning instructions. To keep your warranty valid, spills must be reported before you attempt to clean them.

Wooden Furniture

Wood Care & Maintenance

1. Avoid direct sunlight - Exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight will lighten the finish over time.
2. Avoid extremes - Very high and very low humidity or temperatures may cause solid wood to warp and/or split, and veneers to come loose. Extremely high humidity may also produce a haze on some finishes. Position wood furniture at least 6 inches away from any heat source.
3. Avoid solvents - Perfumes, hairsprays, fingernail polish and remover will cause a chemical reaction with, and permanently damage, most finishes.
4. Avoid plastic and rubber materials - Placing plastic or rubber articles directly on wood furniture may cause a chemical reaction that will leave a permanent mark or stain.
5. Use felt pads - Adhesive felt pads under decorative accessories (candlesticks, lamps, etc.) will help to avoid scratches.
6. Regular dusting - It is best to use a soft, all-cotton cloth moistened with a wax-free polish. The polish helps to prevent hair-line scratches that may occur with dry dusting.

7. Easy-to-open drawers - To keep your drawers operating freely, run a bar of soap or paraffin on the drawer glides and on the two bottom edges of each drawer. When re-installing the drawers, be sure they are set properly on the drawer glides.
8. Lift to move - Always lift your furniture to move it. To move a bed to another part of the room, take it apart to avoid damaging your headboard or footboard.
9. Level your furniture - To ensure that drawers work properly and doors hang straight, your wood furniture must be level. Most floors are not completely level and some floor coverings may vary in thickness. Usually, placing a small shim or wedge under one leg will correct the situation.

Wood Facts-Unique Characteristics

All trees have unique characteristics that set them apart from others. They may have natural marks such as knots, mineral streaks and gum pockets. For example, gum pockets are often found in cherry solids and veneers. These marks have no effect on the durability or quality of the furniture. They are merely proof that it is indeed real wood.

Distress Marks & Indentations

Many styles of furniture are designed to include distress marks (stain or paint spatters, random indentations, or other markings). These distress marks are there to give your piece of furniture an antique or well-worn appearance.

Care and Maintenance of Dining Tables

1. Avoid Moisture - Excess moisture will quickly damage a table top by penetrating the finish and raising the grain. Use a mildly-damp cloth to clean the tabletop, and then DRY it immediately with a dry cloth. Blot up spills at once.
2. Prevent Damage - Protect wood table tops from dents, scratches and water marks by using a custom-fitted table pad, or placemats and coasters. A table pad will protect the finish from marks caused by hot pans or dishes. Your salesperson will be glad to show you the various types of table pads available.
3. Extension Leaves - Store the leaves on a flat surface, such as under your bed or on a closet floor. This can help to prevent warping. Always have someone help you install and remove the leaves.
4. Moving Tables - Always have two people pick up a dining table to move it. Pushing or pulling it by yourself may damage the legs.

Mattresses

For Proper Care of Your New Mattress You Should:

• Use a protective mattress pad. A good quality, washable mattress pad is a must to keep your mattress fresh and free from stains. By preventing stains and soiling, the use of a mattress pad will also insure that your warranty is kept in effect. The bedding manufacturer will not authorize a warranty return of a mattress with any burn marks, stains or soiling (regardless of the reason for the warranty claim).
• Let it breathe. If you detect a slight "new product" odor, leave the mattress and foundation uncovered and well-ventilated for a few hours. A breath of fresh air should do the trick.
• Give it good support. Use a sturdy bed frame (or rails). If you have a queen or king size set, your frame needs a good center support that will prevent bowing or breaking.
• Clean your mattress only with a vacuum cleaner. The chemicals in dry cleaning agents or spot removers may harm the fabric or the padding. However, if you are determined to tackle a stain, use a mild soap with cold water and rub lightly with a clean cloth. Do not soak a mattress or foundation with water.

To Keep Your Mattress in Good Condition You Should Not:

• Allow anyone to stand or jump on the mattress. It was not built for that kind of weight concentration. The warranty will not cover any damage from misuse.
• Bend the mattress. Bending the mattress could damage the innerspring unit. However, most king-size mattresses are designed to bend at specific hinging points. You should carefully flex or curve the mattress when going around corners.
• Do not lift with the handles. Mattress handles are intended only for positioning the mattress when it is lying flat on the foundation. They are not designed to support the full weight of the mattress.

Did You Know?

• Today's mattresses are much thicker than before. So, your new mattress sleep set will be higher off the floor than your old set. You may want to order a "low profile" foundation to reduce the overall height. Or, you can use a "low profile" bed frame to reduce the height a few inches. Also, you may need to get "deep packet" fitted sheets or sheet suspenders far your new mattress.
• No two mattresses are identical because they are hand assembled. There will always be minor imperfections. These minor imperfections do not affect the warranty or the performance of the sleep set.
• Body impressions are to be expected. The multiple layers of various types of cushioning that are used to add comfort to your new sleep set will compress slightly during the first few months of use. This is not a defect in workmanship.
• Placing a board under your mattress to make it more firm will only make the problem worse over time. When any mattress becomes so soft that you will need more support, replace it! You will be amazed at how a new sleep set can improve the quality of your sleep.
• The foundation (box spring) should be replaced along with the mattress. Although you cannot see it, old springs lose their strength and support over time. A new mattress, placed on an old foundation, may appear to sag when, in fact it is the foundation causing the problem.
• The warranty on your mattress sleep set is to protect you against manufacturing or structural defects (such as a broken spring) for a specific period of time. The warranty is not Intended to indicate how long the mattress and foundation should last. Since your bedding gets constant use every night, the comfort and support that It gives you will decline over many years of use. Your sleep set may still be usable after 8-10 years, but it may not be giving you the good night's sleep you deserve.