Furniture Care 101: How to Maintain and Protect Your Investment

by Eric Hod | Design Manager, Hudson’s Furniture

Jump to what you want to know: 

• Why Furniture Care Matters More Than You Think
• Understanding Your Furniture Materials 
• Decoding Upholstery Cleaning Codes
• How Humidity, Sunlight, & Heat Impact Furniture
• Wood Furniture Care & Maintenance
• What’s the Difference Between Wax & Spray Furniture Polish? 
• Leather Furniture Care & Maintenance
  • How to Condition Leather Properly
• Upholstery Furniture Care & Maintenance
  • How to Remove Stains from Upholstered Furniture
• The Best Seasonal Furniture Maintenance Schedule
• Common Furniture Care Mistakes 
• Frequently Asked Questions 

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Your furniture represents more than just functional pieces in your home. That dining table where your family gathers, the sofa where you unwind after long days, the bedroom set that helps you rest and recharge. These pieces tell the story of your life, and with the right care, they can continue that story for decades or even generations.

Here’s a striking reality: Americans throw away more than 12 million tons of furniture annually, and over 80% of it ends up in landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Much of this disposal happens prematurely due to avoidable damage and neglect. The good news? With proper care and maintenance, you can protect your investment, save thousands in replacement costs, and reduce your environmental footprint.

Whether you’ve just brought home a beautiful new sectional or you’re caring for an heirloom piece passed down through generations, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about furniture care. We’ll cover cleaning techniques for different materials, maintenance schedules, protection strategies, and the small habits that make a big difference over time.

Why Furniture Care Matters More Than You Think

Think of furniture care like maintaining your car. You wouldn’t drive for years without an oil change and expect peak performance. Similarly, furniture needs regular attention to stay beautiful and functional. The average American household invests between $10,000 and $60,000 furnishing their home, with quality pieces commanding even higher prices. That’s a significant investment worth protecting.

Beyond the financial aspect, well-maintained furniture contributes to a healthier home environment. Dust accumulation on upholstery can aggravate allergies, while dry leather can crack and harbor bacteria. Regular cleaning and conditioning keep your pieces hygienic and comfortable for your family.

Understanding Your Furniture Materials 

Before diving into specific care techniques, you need to understand what your furniture is made of. Different materials react differently to cleaning products, humidity, temperature, and daily use. Using the wrong approach can cause irreversible damage, so take time to identify your furniture’s materials and finishes.

Wood Varieties

Wood is a living, breathing material that responds to its environment. It expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature, which means maintaining consistent conditions is crucial for preventing cracks, warping, and joint separation. Different wood types also have unique characteristics. Oak is dense and durable, while pine is softer and more susceptible to dents. Mahogany and cherry develop rich patinas over time when properly maintained.

The finish on your wood furniture determines how you should clean it. Lacquered, polyurethane, and shellac finishes create a protective barrier that’s relatively easy to maintain. Oil finishes penetrate the wood and need periodic reapplication. Waxed finishes provide a soft sheen but require more frequent attention.

Leather Varieties

Leather furniture isn’t one-size-fits-all. Finished or pigmented leather has been treated with dyes and protective coatings, making it more durable and easier to maintain. This is the most common type used in furniture upholstery. Aniline leather is dyed but left uncoated, giving it a natural, luxurious feel but making it more susceptible to stains and fading. Semi-aniline leather falls between these two, offering some protection while retaining a natural appearance.

Fabric Varieties

Upholstery materials generally fall into three categories: natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen; synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and microfiber; and blends that combine the best properties of both. Each type has different cleaning requirements, durability levels, and resistance to stains and fading.

Natural fabrics feel luxurious and breathe well, but typically require more careful handling. Synthetics are generally more durable and easier to clean, but may pill or fade over time. Performance fabrics represent the best of modern textile technology, offering stain resistance, durability, and easy cleaning in attractive designs.

Decoding Upholstery Cleaning Codes

One of the most important things you can do to protect your upholstered furniture is locate and understand its cleaning code. These codes appear on tags usually found under cushions or beneath the furniture frame. Using the wrong cleaning method can cause shrinkage, color bleeding, water spots, or permanent damage to the fabric.

Important: Code W doesn’t mean machine washable! It simply means you can spot clean with water-based products. Always test any cleaner on a hidden area first, and avoid over-wetting the fabric.

If you can’t find a cleaning tag on your furniture, check the manufacturer’s website or contact the retailer where you purchased it. When in doubt, always test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden area first and wait for it to dry completely before proceeding with the rest of the piece.

How Humidity, Sunlight, & Heat Impact Furniture

The environment where your furniture lives affects its longevity as much as how you clean it. Temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and light exposure can all cause significant damage over time. Understanding and controlling these factors is essential for proper furniture care.

Humidity

How Humidity Affects Wood: When indoor air becomes too dry, wood loses moisture and shrinks, causing cracks, splits, and loose joints. The finish becomes brittle and can flake off. When humidity spikes too high, wood swells and warps. Drawers stick, doors won’t close properly, and you might notice gaps appearing between boards.

How Humidity Affects Leather: Dry air pulls moisture from the hide, making it stiff, brittle, and prone to cracking. You’ll notice the leather loses its suppleness and develops fine lines that eventually become permanent creases. High humidity encourages mildew growth and causes leather to feel damp or sticky.

How Humidity Affects Upholstery: Excessive moisture promotes mold and mildew growth in cushions and padding, creating musty odors and potential health concerns. Very dry air makes natural fibers brittle and more prone to wear.

The Solution:  Maintain relative humidity between 40% and 60%, with temperatures between 68°F and 74°F. During winter months when heating systems dry out indoor air, run a humidifier to maintain optimal levels. In humid climates or during summer, use a dehumidifier to prevent excess moisture damage. These tools become essential if you own antique furniture or have invested in high-quality leather pieces.

Sunlight/UV Rays

How Sunlight Affects Wood: UV rays penetrate wood finishes and break down lignin, the compound that gives wood its color. You’ll notice fading first, then the wood becomes dry and brittle. Cracks develop along the grain, and the finish can actually separate from the wood surface.

How Sunlight Affects Leather: UV exposure causes leather to fade unevenly and lose its natural oils. The surface becomes stiff and develops a dried-out appearance. With continued exposure, the leather cracks, and the damage becomes irreversible. Aniline and semi-aniline leathers show sun damage faster than protected leathers, but all types eventually suffer.

How Sunlight Affects Upholstery: Fabrics bleach and weaken under UV exposure. Natural fibers like cotton and linen fade quickly, and the threads become brittle, leading to tears and worn spots. Synthetic fabrics resist fading better but still degrade over time. Areas exposed to direct sun feel thinner or rougher than protected sections.

The Solution: Position furniture away from windows that receive direct sunlight, especially during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use curtains, blinds, or UV-filtering window film to reduce exposure by up to 99%. If you can’t move a piece away from a sunny window, rotate cushions every few months and swap decorative pillows between furniture to distribute sun exposure evenly. Some homeowners rearrange furniture seasonally to give high-exposure pieces a break during the summer months.

Heat

How Heat Affects Wood: Concentrated dry heat causes rapid moisture loss that leads to warping and cracking. Joints loosen as the wood shrinks away from glue lines. You’re essentially forcing the wood to contract faster than it can handle.

How Heat Affects Leather: Leather placed too close to heat sources dries out quickly and develops a papery texture. The surface loses its sheen and develops stress lines that turn into cracks. You’re baking the natural oils out of the hide.

How Heat Affects Upholstery: Heat exposure weakens fabric fibers and can cause dyes to fade or change color. Synthetic fabrics may become stiff or develop shiny spots where the fibers have partially melted. Natural fibers dry out and become prone to tearing.

The Solution: Keep all furniture at least 12 inches away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating vents. If your furniture sits directly under or in front of an air conditioning vent, use deflectors to redirect airflow. These simple plastic attachments cost about $10 and prevent moisture loss from constant air exposure. Don’t stack heat-generating electronics like gaming consoles or cable boxes directly on wood furniture, and ensure they have proper ventilation to prevent concentrated heat damage.

Wood Furniture Care & Maintenance

Wood is a living material that responds to its environment. Luckily, with consistent care, wood has the capacity to be remarkably resilient, not only adding a natural sense of warmth to your home but also a sense of timelessness. 

Daily Protection Habits

Most wood furniture damage happens gradually through everyday use, not from single catastrophic events. That’s why incorporating these simple daily practices can help prevent the most common types of wood furniture damage. 

• Use coasters & trivets: Always place coasters under drinks and trivets under hot dishes. Water rings and heat marks are among the most common forms of damage to wood furniture and can be difficult or impossible to repair.
• Lift rather than drag: When moving items across wood surfaces, lift them instead of dragging to prevent scratches. This includes books, laptops, decorative objects, and dishes.
• Use felt pads: Place felt pads under lamps, vases, and decorative objects to prevent scratching from regular movement and vibration.
• Clean spills immediately: Blot spills right away with a clean, dry cloth. Liquids can quickly penetrate finishes and stain the wood beneath. Don’t wipe or rub, just blot until dry.

Weekly Cleaning Routine

Regular cleaning does more than keep your furniture looking good. Dust particles act like sandpaper when they accumulate on surfaces, gradually wearing away protective finishes and creating a dull, scratched appearance. A consistent weekly routine prevents this buildup and takes just five minutes per room.

• Dusting: Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a lamb’s wool duster to remove dust from all wood surfaces. Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain to avoid leaving marks or micro-scratches. For carved or detailed pieces, a soft brush attachment on your vacuum works well to reach crevices without applying pressure.
• Light cleaning: For routine cleaning beyond dusting, use a soft cloth slightly dampened with warm water. Wring the cloth thoroughly so it’s barely damp, not wet. Wipe surfaces in the direction of the grain, then immediately dry with a separate clean cloth. Never let water stand on wood surfaces.
• Deeper cleaning when needed: If water alone doesn’t remove dirt or sticky residue, add a drop of mild dish soap to warm water. Mix until barely sudsy, dampen your cloth, wring it nearly dry, and clean the surface. Follow immediately with a cloth dampened in plain water to remove soap residue, then dry thoroughly with a third clean cloth.

Seasonal Maintenance

Wood furniture finishes naturally wear down over time from contact with hands, objects, and daily use. Polishing replenishes this protective layer, restoring both the visual appeal and the functional barrier that keeps moisture and dirt from reaching the wood itself. The frequency depends on how much contact each piece gets, so you can adjust your schedule based on actual use rather than following a rigid calendar.

• High-use pieces: Polish dining tables, desks, and coffee tables monthly. These surfaces see daily contact and benefit from regular protection.
• Moderate-use pieces: Polish dressers, nightstands, and side tables every two to three months. These pieces need less frequent attention but still benefit from regular care.
• Low-use pieces: Polish display cabinets, accent tables, and decorative pieces two to four times per year. Seasonal polishing keeps these pieces looking their best.

How to Properly Polish Wood Furniture

Choose a high-quality furniture polish or wax specifically designed for your finish type. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth rather than directly to the furniture. Work in the direction of the grain using light, even strokes. Let the polish sit for a minute if the product instructions recommend it, then buff with a clean cloth until the surface shines.

What’s the Difference Between Wax & Spray Furniture Polish? 

Wax-based polishes provide longer-lasting protection and create a harder barrier against scratches, but they require more effort to apply and buff. Spray polishes are convenient for quick touch-ups but need more frequent reapplication. For heirloom or high-value pieces, wax offers better long-term protection.

Leather Furniture Care & Maintenance

Like wood, leather is a natural material that, if properly cared for, can last for decades and actually improve with age. Requiring less attention than upholstered furniture, leather thrives with basic weekly cleaning and periodic conditioning, making its care and maintenance rather simple.

Weekly Cleaning Routine

Leather surfaces collect dust and body oils that dull the finish and can eventually degrade the protective coating. That’s why following these weekly cleaning tips is essential to maintaining the leather’s appearance. 

• Dust regularly: Use a soft, dry cloth or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove dust from all leather surfaces. This prevents dirt particles from scratching the surface or embedding in the leather’s grain.
• Light cleaning: For routine cleaning beyond dusting, use a slightly damp cloth with a small amount of mild soap specifically formulated for leather. Wring the cloth nearly dry, wipe gently across all surfaces, then buff dry immediately with a clean cloth. Never leave water sitting on leather.

Monthly to Seasonal Conditioning

Leather is skin, and like your own skin, it dries out when natural oils diminish. Heated homes during winter and air conditioning in summer both pull moisture from leather, leaving it stiff and prone to cracking. Conditioning replenishes these oils and creates a protective barrier against everyday wear. How often you condition depends on your climate and how much your leather gets used.

• High-use pieces in dry climates: Condition leather sofas and chairs monthly if you live in arid regions or run heating systems regularly. These conditions accelerate oil loss.
• Moderate-use pieces: Condition leather furniture every two to three months in moderate climates. This schedule works for most households with typical heating and cooling.
• Low-use pieces: Condition decorative leather pieces or those in humid climates every three to four months. These environments don’t dry leather as aggressively.

How to Condition Leather Properly

First, clean the leather surface thoroughly using the method described in the weekly routine. Apply conditioner to a soft cloth rather than directly to the leather, and work it in using gentle, circular motions. Apply thin, even coats rather than heavy applications. Allow the conditioner to absorb for the time specified on the product, usually 15 minutes to several hours. Buff away any excess with a clean cloth.

The leather may appear darker immediately after conditioning, but it will return to its normal color as it absorbs the product. If it stays dark, you’ve applied too much and should buff more aggressively to remove the excess.

Upholstered Furniture Care & Maintenance

Upholstered furniture works harder than almost any other piece in your home. However, with consistent care and speedy reactions to spills and messes, you can maintain quality upholstery for years.

Daily Protection Habits

Upholstery fabrics develop wear patterns based on how you use them. The cushions where you sit most often compress more than others, creating visible indentations and uneven fading. These simple daily practices distribute wear across all surfaces, preventing premature aging in high-contact areas.

• Keep out of direct sunlight: UV rays fade fabric colors unevenly, creating noticeable light patches on arm tops and areas facing windows. Rotate furniture seasonally or use window treatments to protect upholstery from prolonged sun exposure.
• Fluff regularly: Plump and reshape cushions after use to maintain their appearance and comfort. This redistributes the filling material and prevents flat spots from becoming permanent.

Weekly Cleaning Routine

Fabric upholstery acts like a filter, trapping dust, dirt, allergens, and debris that settle on surfaces throughout your home. Without regular removal, these particles work their way deep into the fabric fibers, where they’re much harder to extract and where they accelerate wear by acting as abrasives. A weekly vacuuming session prevents this buildup and takes just a few minutes per piece.

• Rotate cushions: Flip and rotate seat and back cushions weekly to ensure even wear and prevent permanent impressions from forming. If your cushions have different firmness on each side, alternate which side faces up to give each side recovery time.
• Vacuum thoroughly: Use a soft brush attachment to vacuum all upholstered surfaces. Pay special attention to crevices where crumbs and pet hair accumulate. For pieces with removable cushions, vacuum underneath and in the gaps between the frame and cushions where dirt hides.
• Check for debris: Look under and between cushions for items that might damage fabric, like coins, pens, or food particles. Remove these before vacuuming to prevent them from scratching or staining the upholstery.

How to Remove Stains from Upholstered Furniture

The difference between a stain you can remove and one that becomes permanent often comes down to how quickly you act. Liquids penetrate fabric fibers within seconds, and once they set, they bond chemically with the material. Your response in the first few minutes determines whether you’ll need professional help or can handle the problem yourself. 

For tougher stains, try these natural solutions before reaching for commercial products:

• Club soda: Effective for many food and beverage stains. Blot the stain with club soda on a clean cloth, working from the outside in.
• White vinegar & water: Good for general stains. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply to a cloth, and blot the stain. Follow with plain water to remove vinegar residue.
• Baking soda: Excellent for absorbing odors and grease. Sprinkle directly on the stain, let sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.

The Best Seasonal Furniture Maintenance Schedule

The best furniture care routine is one you’ll actually follow. Rather than thinking of furniture care as a big project, break it into small tasks that fit naturally into your schedule. Each season brings different challenges for your furniture, from winter’s dry air to summer’s intense sun and humidity. Breaking care into regular intervals ensures nothing gets overlooked and prevents small problems from becoming major damage that requires expensive repair or replacement.

Weekly maintenance takes about 15 minutes and includes dusting all surfaces, vacuuming upholstery, and flipping and fluffing cushions. You can do this while listening to a podcast or waiting for coffee to brew. These quick tasks prevent buildup and keep everything looking fresh.

Monthly maintenance takes about 30 minutes and involves cleaning with appropriate products for each material type, checking for spills or stains that need attention, and tightening any loose hardware. This is also a good time to polish wood and give leather furniture a once-over to see if it needs conditioning.

Seasonal maintenance takes one to two hours and includes deep cleaning or scheduling professional cleaning, conditioning wood and leather, and assessing whether any repairs or touch-ups are needed. Many people find it helpful to schedule these deeper sessions around the change of seasons when they’re already doing other household maintenance.

Think of seasonal maintenance as preventive care rather than a chore. Just as you service your car regularly to avoid breakdowns, seasonal furniture care keeps your pieces running smoothly and looking their best year-round. Use this seasonal guide to stay on track:

Common Furniture Care Mistakes 

Even well-intentioned care can cause damage if you’re using the wrong methods or products. Understanding these common mistakes will help you avoid inadvertently harming your furniture while trying to maintain it. 

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Products

Silicone-based polishes are one of the most common mistakes. While they create immediate shine that looks impressive, silicone polishes build up over time and can make future refinishing difficult or even impossible. Choose wax-based polishes instead, which nourish the wood without creating problematic buildup.

All-purpose cleaners are another frequent culprit when it comes to wood damage. These products often contain ammonia or other chemicals that can strip finishes and dry out wood. Stick to products specifically designed for wood, or use the mild dish soap and water method described earlier.

Bleach seems like it would be great for stains on fabric, but unless your fabric is specifically labeled as bleach-cleanable, it can cause permanent discoloration. Even diluted bleach can damage many common upholstery fabrics.

Mistake #2: Cleaning Habits That Cause Damage

Rubbing stains is perhaps the most common cleaning mistake people make. The instinct to scrub at a spill is strong, but rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into fibers, making it much harder to remove. Always blot instead, and you’ll have much better results.

Over-wetting is another frequent problem, particularly with upholstery. Too much liquid can soak through to the padding and frames, causing mold, odors, and even structural damage. When cleaning, use the minimum amount of liquid necessary and make sure the piece dries thoroughly.

Skipping the test spot seems like a time-saver, but it can lead to disaster. Even products designed for your fabric type can sometimes cause problems due to dye variations, finish differences, or other factors. Always test any cleaner on a hidden area and wait for it to dry completely before proceeding with the full cleaning.

Mistake #3: Environmental Oversights

Ignoring sunlight is one of the biggest threats to furniture, yet many people don’t think about it until fading has already occurred. Direct sun causes fading and drying that’s difficult or impossible to reverse. A few minutes adjusting window treatments during peak sun hours can save you years of life on your furniture.

Neglecting humidity causes problems that often go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Extreme dryness in winter and excessive moisture in summer can both cause serious issues with wood furniture, in particular. Monitoring and managing your home’s humidity levels is one of the most important things you can do for your furniture.

Placing furniture on heated floors without insulation is a less common but serious mistake. Without heat-insulating elements between the furniture and the floor, heated floors can cause excessive drying in the lower portion of furniture, leading to cracks and warping.

At Hudson’s Furniture, we believe your home deserves pieces that last. That’s why we curate collections of quality furniture built to withstand daily life and grow more beautiful with time. 

From solid wood dining tables that anchor family gatherings to leather sofas that age gracefully and performance upholstery that handles real life, we help you find pieces worth caring for. Our knowledgeable team can guide you through material options, answer care questions, and help you select furniture that fits both your style and your lifestyle. 

Browse our entire store online or visit one of our Florida showrooms to explore our collections online to discover furniture that’s designed to be loved for generations.

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FAQs

How often should I polish wood furniture?

Polish wood furniture every 1-3 months, or whenever it starts looking dull. Over-polishing can cause sticky buildup, so use products sparingly and buff thoroughly.

Can I clean leather with baby wipes?

While convenient, baby wipes may contain chemicals that can damage leather over time. It’s better to use products specifically designed for leather care or a simple mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar.

Why are my wood drawers sticking?

Sticking drawers are typically caused by high humidity, which makes wood swell. Wait for drier conditions, or use a dehumidifier. If the problem persists in dry weather, the runners may need light sanding or waxing.

How do I get pet odors out of upholstery?

Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for at least 15 minutes (or overnight for stubborn odors), then vacuum thoroughly. For persistent odors, a solution of diluted white vinegar can help neutralize smells.

What’s the best way to remove water rings from wood?

For white water rings, try dabbing with a cloth dampened with equal parts vinegar and olive oil. For stubborn rings, apply non-gel toothpaste with a soft cloth, rub gently with the grain, then wipe clean and polish.

How can I prevent my furniture from fading?

Use window treatments to filter direct sunlight during peak hours, rotate furniture positions periodically so sun exposure is even, and consider UV-protective window films for rooms with significant sun exposure.

Should I use fabric protector on new furniture?

Fabric protector can be helpful, especially for light-colored fabrics or pieces that will see heavy use. However, some performance fabrics come with protection built in, so check with the manufacturer before applying additional products.

What humidity level should I maintain for furniture?

Maintain indoor relative humidity between 40% and 60% for optimal furniture preservation. This range prevents wood from cracking due to dryness while avoiding swelling and mold growth from excess moisture.