1. Treat stains on upholstered chairs as soon as you notice them.
Anyone who has this type of chair at home knows that while they look amazing, they get easily stained while you sit on them and eat. They also cumulate lots of dust, which, over time, can make them look older than they are. Therefore, it is important that as soon as the stains appear, you remove them.
To do this, pour hot water into a container and add a few drops of dish soap. Use a microfiber cloth to dampen the entire dirty area to prevent the water from leaving an imprint. Finally, rub the cloth until the dirt disappears.
2. Place your leather armchair away from direct sunlight.
To keep leather armchairs in good condition, you’d ideally place them in an area where they do not get direct sunlight. This is to prevent discoloration, but cleaning them regularly is just as important. You can simply use a cloth to remove dust.
Also, consider vacuuming them to remove food debris or other things that remain in the nooks and crannies of the sofa. Should something fall on them, you won’t have to rub with a cloth, but simply remove the liquid using a dry cloth.
3. Brush velvet chairs and armchairs.
This type of furniture gives a touch of style to your home. And despite what you may think, velvet is actually a very resistant material, but just like everything else, it needs maintenance to keep it in excellent condition. Brushing it several times a month with a special fabric brush can help a lot.
Another good tip is to avoid placing heavy objects for a long time on this type of material to avoid leaving marks on it. Finally, try not to place such furniture too close to the walls for it not to be damaged.
4. The daily wiping of wooden furniture
From tables and benches to desks and stoves, wood can be in many home furnishings, so knowing how to treat it for a longer life is extremely important. Cleaning this material frequently with a feather duster or soft cloth is the first step to keeping it shining. To give the furniture a deeper clean, mix olive oil and vinegar and use a soft cloth to rub this solution into the surface. Let it sit for a few minutes and then, with another clean, dry cloth, rub it again to bring out the shine.
5. Remove dirt with hot water.
Since sheets often have lots of other things covering them, they don’t get stained that often, but they can still harbor dirt and bacteria, and even dust mites. That’s why it’s important to wash them in warm or hot water to remove them. Of course, don’t forget to check the label to see if they have any special washing instructions to keep them looking as good as new for longer.
6. Don’t wash quilts too often.
The bedspread, which is the first thing we see when we approach a bed, does not necessarily need to be washed more frequently than other blankets. Actually, it is recommended to wash it 2-3 times a year.
7. Let pillows dry all the way after washing them.
When you don’t want to ruin your pillows after washing them, start by checking if they have a natural filling. If so, it’s better to take them to the dry cleaner. If the label does not have any specific instructions and the filling is synthetic, you can wash them with warm or hot water.
But always check that they dry properly after that. You can even use a hairdryer or turn them inside out if you hang them outdoors so as not to damage the filling and make it last longer.
8. Rotate carpets regularly.
Carpets make your home warmer and more aesthetic. They create a cozier space, but to keep them in perfect condition and continue to provide that feeling at home, follow 2 easy tips.
One of them is to turn them every so often so that the parts where a piece of furniture may be leaving a mark get exposed. That’s a good way to give them time to recover their shape and not get damaged. The other tip is to vacuum clean them frequently and thoroughly since dust ruins the fibers when it accumulates.
9. Air out the mattress frequently.
A mattress can last between 7-10 years, so to keep it in good condition for that time and even extend it, taking some specific care will be useful. Airing the room and removing any sheets from the mattress will allow any accumulated humidity to evaporate. It is also recommended to turn it at least 4 times a year and, when necessary, vacuum it.
10. Wash white textiles as soon as they become stained.
Kitchen towels, rags, and tablecloths, especially when they are white, can be easily stained. Washing them as soon as the stain appears is key to making this whole process easier. Another good tip is to immediately put a paste of salt and water on the part where the food or drink fell to absorb the stain.
11. Remember to dry the cutlery well.
Sometimes, cutlery isn’t really taken care of as well as it should, even though everyone uses it on a daily basis. Over time, they can lose their shine and look dirty, even if they’re not. To keep them shiny and in good condition, just wash them with the soft part of the dish sponge, remove the remains of food well, rinse them with cold water, and do not forget to dry them instead of leaving them in the drainer so that they don’t get stained.
12. Clean dishes with a DIY mixture.
Porcelain dishes can be the star of a cupboard for a long time. To remove grease from dishes, a good option is to mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of white vinegar, a little lemon, and water in a bowl until a kind of paste is formed. This paste should be rubbed on each fret and then rinsed.
13. Wash stainless steel pots and pans with warm water.
When using pots and pans, grease can accumulate or stick to them, which, over time, will make it even more difficult to remove, making these utensils look dirty. To avoid this, after using the item, you should wash it perfectly with neutral soap and warm water, as well as scrub it with a soft sponge. At the end, dry it perfectly so that no stains are formed. If the pot already has some marks from use, boil water with a little vinegar for 4 or 5 minutes, and then use this solution to wash the pot as usual.
14. Clean stubborn stains with vinegar.
When things are on the table at mealtime, it is easy for an accident to happen and something to spill or end up on the tablecloth, so the best way to give longer use to this item is to clean the stains as soon as they appear. If it is a coffee stain, which is usually difficult to remove, you can apply a little white vinegar combined with rubbing alcohol to the cloth before washing it.
15. Do not overload the washing machine.
The washing machine is a key item in the home, so extending its lifespan is important. The first thing we can consider taking care of it is not to overload it; it’s always better to divide the clothes into smaller loads. In addition, make sure to ventilate the drum, as well as to clean the rubber gasket, which is where dirty soap scum accumulates, as well as the detergent box and the filter. Do not forget to clean it periodically on the outside with a cloth dipped in soapy water, and dry it with another dry, soft cloth.
16. Avoid using window cleaner on mirrors.
Mirrors at home can become scratched, dull, or stained, so like other items, they need specific care. Use only soft cloths to clean them, as well as products that do not contain abrasives. Note that it is not recommended to use window cleaner on these due to the chemicals it may contain.
17. Clean the outside of the toilet.
Always consider the number of people who use the toilet to determine how often you should wash it. For example, if there are small children or older adults at home, you’ll have to disinfect it more often. As a rule of thumb, doing it twice a week will be enough.
When doing so, it’s recommended not only to focus on the inside, since water is constantly passing through it, but also on the outside, especially on the seat. Use disposable cloths, toilet cleaner, and a brush, which can also be disinfected after use.
What else at home do you think needs special care to last longer? Share your tips with us.
