Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide

At Sofa Icon we produce the highest quality furnishings using only the finest materials.  Following these basic care and maintenance guidelines will ensure our furniture will be enjoyed for many years to come.

The location of furniture to the way it is used can affect its comfort, preservation and longevity.  Avoid placing furniture where it can touch an external wall as this can create moisture build-up.  Likewise, placing it too close to radiators can increase the risk of scorching damage or discoloration.

Also avoid sitting on the edges of the cushions or on the arms as this can add excess pressure to the seams and cause distortion to the padding and fabric.  Be aware that sharp objects such as buckles, rings and pets claws can tear and scratch the furniture.

Protect your furniture from direct sunlight and rotate reversible cushions at regular intervals.  Vacuum all cushions weekly on a low suction setting to remove any dust particles that may damage the structure of the fabric.

CUSHION CARE

All cushions require regular and ongoing maintenance.  The easiest methods are to regularly ‘plump’ and change cushions from one side of the piece to the other, or simply flip them over to distribute wear.  Some fabrics may naturally ‘creep’ or ‘slide’ over time with use.  Flipping will minimise this, however sometimes it is necessary to unzip the cushion and pull or rub the fabric back into place.

Feather & Down

Feather-filled cushions, especially when used as base cushions, require regular ‘plumping’ and flipping.  If this is not done their appearance and comfort level may deteriorate.

Foam-Wrapped Feather

Feather-filled ‘wraps’ or ‘feathered layers’ have inserts filled with feather wrapped around a foam core.  This is one of the best quality cushion fillings in the industry and requires minimal maintenance.

Foam-Wrapped Fibre

These cushions are manufactured using only the best reflex foams with a light fibre wrap applied to further improve comfort and appearance.  This cushion provides a more tailored look and requires the least amount of maintenance, although cushions still require plumping and turning to even out wear and prolong their durability.

Poly Fibre

Regular flipping and rearrangement of fibre cushions is essential.  Poly Fibre inserts in particular should be plumped up daily and their position interchanged to maintain their appearance and allow the fillings a chance to recover.

FABRIC

We recommend that you use a professional furniture dry cleaning service for both fixed and loose cushion covers where appropriate.

Colour Fastness

No fabric is 100 percent colourfast, but fading can be prevented if the correct precautions are followed.

Fading & Sun Damage

Dyed fabrics, particularly those dyed in bright colours, are most susceptible to fading.

Upholstery should not be exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as this may result in the fabric degrading or fading.  South facing rooms are exposed to the most sunlight.  Constant exposure to the direct rays of the sun can break down the fabric fibres, causing them to become brittle, increasing the risk of a rip or tear during cleaning.

Moisture

Protect your furniture from moist environments like a bathroom, damp basement or near water.  Exposure to humidity can cause deterioration.

Pilling

Pilling is usually a result of wear and tear, but climatic conditions and air quality are also contributing factors.  Fibres in some clothing can transfer pills to the furniture.  Pilling is not a defect and can easily be removed using battery operated pilling devices available from most haberdashery stores.

Velvet

Velvets can be prone to marking caused by pressure in transit or in use.  Most marks can be removed by smoothing the velvet with a soft brush and/or gentle steaming.  In some natural velvets, crushing is an inherent characteristic and cannot be removed.

Silk & Sateens

Silk is made from very delicate fibres and must be treated with the utmost care.  Be sure to keep far from radiators and away from direct sunlight.

MATERIALS

Leather

Every leather hide is unique and may therefore have some natural markings or slight variations in colour.  Our artisans utilise the natural grain of the leather when upholstering our furniture and use their skill to reveal the full character and beauty of the material.  In day-to-day use, leather does not require much maintenance; periodic dusting with a soft, dry cloth should suffice.  It is important to avoid placing leather sofas near heat sources or direct light.