Tips for cleaning and maintaining your dining chairs

Dining chairs are an important piece of furniture that can be found in most homes. Not only do they provide a comfortable place to eat and socialise, but they also add a touch of style and sophistication to any dining area.

However, despite their importance, many people forget about the need for regular cleaning and maintenance of their dining chairs. If you want your chairs to look great and last for years to come, it is important to keep them clean and well-maintained. In this article, we'll provide some tips on how to keep your furniture looking as good as the day you bought it. And if you haven't bought any yet, read through our dining chair buyer's guide for help in choosing a set!

Dust regularly

Dust makes any piece of furniture look past its prime - wooden dining chairs especially. To keep your chair looking its best, make sure you dust it regularly with a damp soft cloth or a duster. This will help remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the surface of the chair.

If you're dusting metal dining chairs, make sure to dry the material thoroughly with something like kitchen roll, particularly if they're made from wrought iron or another rust-prone metal.

Clean spills immediately

Accidents happen – especially at the dinner table! If something spills on your dining chairs make sure you clean it up immediately, before it has a chance to set in and cause permanent staining or discoloration.

Use a damp cloth or sponge with mild soap and warm water to gently blot away any spills until they are completely removed. This is especially important if your dining chair is upholstered, as leather and fabric are more at risk of stains. Avoid using harsh chemicals as these could damage the material of your dining chair over time.

Protect from sun damage

If your dining room receives direct sunlight throughout the day, then you should consider investing in some curtains or blinds in order to protect your furniture from sun damage over time. The UV rays from the sun can cause fading and discoloration of fabrics and leathers if they are exposed for too long. Another option is to grab a set of dust sheets and shield them that way.

Regularly vacuum upholstery

Vacuuming fabric furniture regularly is important in order to remove any dust and dirt that may have settled into the fibres. Using an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner will allow you to get into all those hard-to-reach areas where dirt tends to accumulate more easily than other places – making sure no particle gets left behind!

Occasionally polish wooden furniture

If you've invested in traditional wooden dining chairs, giving it a good polish will help keep the wood clean and shining - but don't do it too often! Most people believe they have to polish their furniture every week, but this can lead to over polishing. Always follow the care instructions provided with your dining chairs, and always use a proper furniture polish designed for the job.

Some wooden furniture doesn't need polishing at all, or very rarely. For example, Scandinavian style dining chairs made from pine wood often have a different finish that doesn't need polishing. Apply polish to these and you could glue dust and dirt onto the chair's surface - the exact opposite of what you want to do!

If you're not using them, cover them up!

We've already mentioned furniture covers are great for protecting your chairs against the sun, but they're also brilliant at protecting them from dust and other hazards. We recommend getting a set if you don't regularly use your dining chairs. This will help keep them in pristine condition and make them look as good as new for years to come.

In conclusion, dining chairs are important pieces of furniture for any home and should be taken care of properly. Regularly dusting and vacuuming with the occasional polish will keep yours looking fresh. Cleaning up spills quickly and correctly will help prevent marks. Protecting it with covers will stop premature fading and unnecessary cleaning later on. Want your newly cleaned dining chairs to look even better? Read our blog on what to decorate them with!