Entretien et maintenance
Good furniture rewards a little attention. None of this is hard — it's just knowing what helps and what quietly does damage.
Wood furniture
- Dust regularly with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth, following the grain. Dust is mildly abrasive over time.
- Wipe spills immediately. Water left to sit causes rings and white blooms in the finish.
- Use coasters and mats under hot mugs, glasses, and anything that sweats.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from heating vents — both fade and dry out wood, causing cracks.
- Condition oiled finishes once or twice a year with a furniture oil or paste wax. Skip silicone-based sprays, which build up and complicate refinishing.
Leather
- Dust and vacuum with a soft brush attachment to keep grit out of the grain.
- Wipe spills with a dry cloth right away; for more, use a damp cloth and let it air-dry — never a hairdryer.
- Condition two to four times a year to keep it supple and prevent cracking.
- Keep leather about 50 cm (20 in) from radiators and out of direct sun to avoid drying and fading.
Upholstered fabric
- Vacuum weekly to lift out dust and crumbs before they grind into the fibers.
- Rotate and flip loose cushions so they wear and fade evenly.
- Check the cleaning code on the tag before using anything wet:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|
| W | Clean with water-based cleaner |
| S | Solvent only — no water |
| W/S | Either water- or solvent-based is fine |
| X | Vacuum or brush only — no liquids |
Dealing with spills fast
Blot, don't rub. Rubbing pushes a spill deeper and spreads the stain. Press a clean cloth straight down, lift, and repeat with a fresh section until it's dry.
For most fresh spills, plain water or a mild soap solution (on W or W/S fabrics) handles it. Test any cleaner on a hidden patch first, and work from the outside of a stain inward so you don't grow its edges.
The long game
Tighten any bolts on beds and chairs once a year — wood expands and contracts, and hardware works loose. Felt pads under chair and table legs protect both the furniture and your floors. Small habits like these are the whole difference between furniture that's "still going" and furniture that gets thrown out.
Next: the buying guide