Furniture Care & Protection

How to care for fabric sofas and chairs

Vacuum fabric upholstery lightly once a week, less often for feather-filled cushions, and brush it first with a soft brush to lift the dust. Built-up dirt speeds up wear and dulls colours, so the weekly routine matters most. Turn and swap reversible cushions regularly so they wear evenly, and if the cushions are fixed, use every seat rather than the same one each time. Cushions soften and flatten with use even when they're well cared for, and that's expected rather than a fault.

Keep sofas out of direct sunlight and away from heat, drawing curtains or blinds where you can to prevent fading. Pet claws, jewellery, buckles and zips can snag fabric, and pets are best kept off upholstery because their coats carry oils that accelerate wear. Don't sit on the arms, which take the most wear, and ask about arm caps where the supplier offers them. Pile fabrics such as velvet and chenille show pressure marks in certain light, which is a characteristic of the fabric rather than a fault, and light brushing lifts the pile. For spills and stains, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and if you've taken out Premier Care, contact them as soon as possible for advice.

How to care for leather furniture

Dust leather furniture with a soft cloth and vacuum it gently about once a week to keep the pores clear. When it needs cleaning, wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth, using a mild soap solution if necessary and never soaking the leather. Polishes, waxes, saddle soap, detergents and bleach can all damage leather, so avoid them, and full aniline leather should only ever be wiped with a dry cloth. Keep leather at least 20 to 30cm from radiators and other heat sources, and out of direct sunlight.

Blot spills straight away with a clean absorbent cloth, wipe the whole area with a damp cloth and lukewarm water, then dry it with a clean cloth and let it finish drying naturally rather than with a hairdryer. Perspiration and hair gel attack the finish, so wipe arm and back cushions regularly. Dye from new dark clothing and denim can transfer onto leather, shows most on light colours and is difficult to remove, so avoid prolonged contact. Leather care kits can damage the wrong type of leather and invalidate a guarantee, so test on a hidden area first or ask Roomes which kit suits your sofa. Leather softens, creases and stretches as it ages, particularly on seats, and natural marks such as scars and creases show it's genuine hide.

How to look after a bed and mattress

Turn a traditional sprung mattress once a week for the first three months, end to end and then side to side, and once a month after that. Non-turn mattresses don't need flipping, although some should be rotated end to end, so check the manufacturer's label. A new mattress often feels different from the one you're used to, and the fillings in sprung mattresses settle over the first few weeks or months. That's normal rather than a fault, and regular turning evens it out.

Air your bed at least once a month by stripping the bedding for a few hours, and vacuum the mattress lightly to reduce dust and dust mites. A mattress protector is worth using from day one. Never fold or roll a mattress, as it can damage the spring unit and tear the cover, and avoid sitting on the edge, because mattresses are built to carry weight across a wide area. Don't overload divan drawers with heavy items, and keep children from using the bed as a trampoline.

How to care for dining, living and bedroom furniture

Use table mats or a table protector on every table and cabinet surface, including glass and stone, because hot dishes, wet glasses and cutlery all mark a finish. Wipe spills up immediately with a damp cloth, as even water can damage a finish if it's left to sit. Avoid silicone-based spray polishes, which aren't needed on sealed finishes and damage unsealed ones. Waxed and oiled finishes need treating with the right product from time to time, and they can look dry on delivery until they've had their first treatment.

Keep wooden furniture out of prolonged direct sunlight and away from heat, as timber mellows with light and can fade or warp. Open an extending table and expose the leaves to daylight now and again so they colour at the same rate as the top. Lift furniture rather than dragging it, and protect corners and edges when you move it. Solid wood varies in grain and colour from piece to piece and moves slightly with temperature and humidity, so no two pieces are identical, even within the same range. Don't rock back on dining chairs, and if a glass shelf or door breaks, contact Roomes so it's replaced to the approved safety standard.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I turn my mattress?

Turn a traditional sprung mattress once a week for the first three months, alternating end to end and side to side, then once a month after that. Non-turn mattresses don't need flipping, though some need rotating end to end, so check the manufacturer's label. Regular turning evens out the natural settling of the fillings.

My new mattress feels different from my old one. Is something wrong?

No, it's normal for a new mattress to feel different and for your body to take a few weeks to adjust to the new level of support. The fillings in sprung mattresses also settle over the first few weeks or months, more so in mattresses with luxurious fillings. This is expected rather than a fault, and turning the mattress regularly helps even it out.

How often should I vacuum my fabric sofa?

Lightly vacuum fabric upholstery once a week, and less often if the cushions are feather filled. Brushing with a soft brush first lifts dust from the fibres. Built-up dirt accelerates wear and dulls colours, so a weekly routine makes a real difference.

How do I get a stain out of a fabric sofa?

Follow the care instructions supplied by the manufacturer, as fabrics vary and the wrong treatment can make a stain permanent. If you've taken out Premier Care, contact them as soon as the spill happens so they can advise. Roomes recommends professional cleaning for fabric upholstery rather than home remedies.

Why does my velvet or chenille sofa look patchy?

Pile fabrics such as velvet and chenille show pressure marks where you've sat, which appear as lighter and darker shades depending on how the light falls. It's a characteristic of the fabric, not a fault, and it doesn't affect how the fabric wears. Light brushing lifts the pile, and rotating the cushions regularly evens it out.

My sofa cushions have gone flatter. Is that a fault?

No, cushions soften and flatten over time with use, even with regular care. Foam cushions should be turned and swapped to even out wear, and fibre-filled cushions need plumping regularly to keep their shape. If a sofa has fixed cushions, using every seat rather than one favourite stops one seat feeling softer than the others.

What should I clean leather furniture with?

Wipe leather with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and use a mild soap solution if needed, working in a gentle circular motion without soaking the leather. Never use polishes, waxes, saddle soap, detergents, bleach or other chemicals. Full aniline leather should only be wiped with a dry cloth. If you want to use a leather care kit, test it on a hidden area first or ask Roomes whether it suits your leather.

Are the marks on my leather sofa a fault?

No, scars, creases, bush marks and bites are the natural markings of real hide and don't weaken the leather. No two hides are the same, so variation in grain, texture and shade is part of genuine leather. Leather also stretches, creases and softens as it ages, especially on seat cushions.

Can clothing dye transfer onto a leather sofa?

Yes, dye from dark clothing and new denim can transfer onto leather, and it shows most on light colours. It can be very difficult to remove with normal cleaning, so avoid prolonged contact between new dark garments and your sofa. Perspiration and hair gel also attack the finish and should be wiped off quickly with a damp cloth.

Why doesn't my new dining table match the one in the showroom?

Solid and veneered timber varies naturally in grain and colour from piece to piece, so the table delivered won't be an exact match for the floor model. Timber also mellows with daylight, so pieces added to a range later may be a different shade at first and blend in over time. On rustic ranges made from reclaimed or aged timber, knots, grain variation and uneven joints are part of the design.

Why are the leaves of my extending table a different colour?

Timber changes colour with exposure to daylight, so leaves kept folded away stay a different shade from the top that's in daily use. Open the table and expose the extensions to light regularly to keep the colours even. The same applies to any area covered by a lamp or vase that never moves.

What does Premier Care cover?

Premier Care is a five-year protection plan taken out when you place your order. It covers accidental damage and staining from the day of delivery, including sudden spills, rips and tears, and covers defects once the manufacturer's guarantee has ended, subject to the terms and conditions. Download the information leaflet for full details or ask in store.

Where can I get care advice on something I bought from Roomes?

Call the Roomes showroom in Upminster on 01708 255300 or use the contact page. The team can advise on cleaning products, leather care kits and what's right for your furniture, and the store is open seven days a week.