Upholstery Care Guide

You’ve made an excellent investment in your new upholstery. This care guide is designed to help you protect and look after your purchase so you can enjoy it to the full for many years to come. Please read, keep and follow any instruction labels or booklets attached by the manufacturer to your purchase.

• Make sure that the room is ready and access is clear for our delivery teams to manoeuvre your furniture into your home. As part of our Premier Delivery Service we will unpack and assemble it for you.
• If you have wooden floors, use a protective felt on the feet of your new furniture to prevent scratching.
• If you need to move anything after we have gone, find someone to help you lift and carry it. Do not drag it across the floor. You could hurt yourself and damage your property.
• Once you have accepted the furniture and the packaging has been removed, take a few minutes to inspect it. Make sure you are completely satisfied before the delivery team leaves your premises.
• If your new sofa or chair has a recliner mechanism always leave enough room for it to work. It will not operate correctly and the furniture may appear to rock if your floor is not level.
• If the recliner mechanisms seem stiff, they will ease with use.
• Once the tight protective wrapping is removed from leather furniture, the cushions may appear flatter than expected and the leather creased. Use the palms of your hands to press gently on the leather surface and smooth the cushions and leather into their normal shape. Plump all cushions. Once air begins to circulate around the suite, the leather will relax and fall into its original shape.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and only use products they recommend.
• Plump and turn cushions daily. Over time some fillings, including fibre, will lose up to 20% of their original volume through normal wear and tear. Daily plumping will help make them last longer.
• Use the upholstery or drape attachment to vacuum your furniture weekly and reduce the abrasive effect of dust and crumbs.
• Brushing fabric covers can damage the pile and affect its feel and durability.
• Fixed cover fabric suites should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.
• Clean all covers of a loose cover suite at the same time to prevent colour variations.
• If you spill something, blot up the excess immediately. Do not use detergents or rub as you could cause permanent damage. If you have purchased Guardsman, contact them right away and they will advise on what to do. Often it requires professional cleaning to rectify the matter. For Guardsman policy holders this will be arranged for you.
• If you have any doubts about how to care for your furniture and can’t find your instructions from the manufacturer, please phone your local store for help.

• Do not have your furniture too close to direct heat or air conditioning. It can cause joints to dry out and squeaks and creaks to develop.
• Do not sit on the arms or allow children to jump on your suite. It will shorten the life span of your furniture dramatically.
• Remember light affects the colour of fabrics and leather. Over exposure to sunlight will cause your furniture to fade.
• Don’t pull loose threads, you could cause a hole. Trim them off neatly with sharp scissors.
• Open and close recliner mechanisms with care. Ensure small children do not swing on them or operate them incorrectly.
• Rather than have a ‘favourite seat’, use your whole suite equally. This will keep your furniture looking the same all over and aging as one.
• Over time, perspiration and natural oils from our skins and hair can have an affect on the finish of leather. Where hands, bare arms or heads rest on the hide, wipe over regularly with a slightly damp cotton cloth and a mild soap. Do the same with any areas where pets may have rubbed against your furniture.
• Heavy perspiration can also affect the long term durability of fabric suites. We strongly recommend you use arm caps and, if necessary, antimacassars to protect your furniture.
• Do not leave newspapers lying on your suite. Ink can stain the cover permanently.
• Do not sit on light coloured suites, in particular pale leathers, wearing denim jeans or non colour-fast dark clothing. The dye can transfer on to your furniture and cause permanent discoloration.

If you have any further questions or worries, please contact your local store for help.