3-Minute Guide: How to Maintain Furniture of Different Materials – Still Looks New After 5 Years

21/11/2025 Homealc Home Furnishings Lab


A detailed guide on daily cleaning, protection tips and pitfalls to avoid for MDF/particleboard, steel-wood, and fabric furniture. Learn how to extend furniture lifespan and keep Homealc home pieces in great condition—easy for beginners to follow.

Your furniture isn’t broken, but it always looks “worn out”? It’s not about poor quality—it’s about using the right maintenance methods! Whether it’s your MDF desk, steel-wood bookshelf, or fabric sofa from Homealc, mastering material characteristics + simple tips will extend lifespan and keep your home furnishings looking sleek. This “material-specific maintenance guide” is ready to use after reading!

I. MDF/Particleboard Furniture: Moisture & Sun Protection Are Key

Most of our desks, wardrobes, and nightstands (like Homealc’s Chinese-style corner desks and Nordic-style drawer cabinets) are made of MDF or particleboard. These materials fear moisture and direct sunlight, so maintenance focuses on “moisture prevention + gentle care”:
  • Daily Cleaning: Wipe dust with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth—never leave a wet cloth on the surface for a long time. Once moisture seeps in, the board may swell and the edge banding may peel off (most customer feedback about edge banding detachment comes from not drying the surface promptly after cleaning). For oil stains, apply a little neutral dish soap to the cloth, wipe gently, and immediately follow with a dry cloth.
  • Protection Tips: Avoid placing such furniture in damp areas (e.g., balcony, bathroom doorway) or direct sunlight (use a thin curtain for desk near windows to prevent cracking and fading). Every 3–6 months, wipe the surface with neutral furniture care wax to prevent dryness and maintain shine.
  • Pitfall Alert: MDF has good screw-holding power, but avoid repeated screw removal; particleboard has better moisture resistance but lower load-bearing capacity—don’t stack heavy books on the upper shelf of bookshelves!

II. Steel-Wood Furniture: Rust Prevention Is Core – Avoid “Hard Tools” for Cleaning

Homealc’s industrial-style side tables and metal-frame wardrobes are steel-wood combinations. The steel frame fears rust, so maintenance focuses on “scratch prevention + corrosion resistance”:
  • Daily Cleaning: Wipe off dust with a dry cloth; for stains, use warm water + neutral detergent, then dry thoroughly (especially the steel frame joints, which easily collect dust and retain water). Never use steel wool or hard brushes—they will scratch the paint, exposing the metal and causing rust quickly.
  • Rust Protection: For steel-wood furniture used on balconies or outdoors (e.g., folding chairs), place moisture-proof mats under the steel frame and add desiccant during rainy seasons. If small scratches appear on the paint, repair them with matching touch-up paint to stop rust spread.
  • Load-Bearing Note: The factory’s commonly used 20x20x0.6mm square tubes and 12x12x0.45mm round tubes meet daily load needs, but do not stand on the furniture or place items over 50kg to avoid frame deformation.

III. Fabric Furniture: Minimize Soaking, Dust Regularly – Don’t “Hide” Stains

Fabric sofas and dining chairs are prone to looking dirty, especially light colors. Maintenance focuses on “timely stain removal + regular dusting”:
  • Daily Cleaning: Vacuum the surface weekly (use a small nozzle) to remove dust from sofa gaps and chair folds—prevent dust from turning into “black mud”. Pet owners can lay washable non-slip mats to reduce hair buildup.
  • Stain Treatment: If coffee or juice spills, first blot surface moisture with paper towels (do not rub back and forth, as this presses stains into the fabric). Spray phosphate-free fabric cleaner, let it sit for 1 minute, pat with a damp towel, and dry with a dry towel. For removable covers, wash once a year in water below 30℃—no bleach.
  • Usage Reminder: Do not place sharp objects (e.g., keys, scissors) on fabric furniture to avoid tearing. Pat the sofa regularly after long-term use to restore sponge elasticity and prevent sagging.

Homealc Tip

Furniture maintenance is all about “targeting materials”—understand characteristics (e.g., MDF fears moisture, steel frames fear rust), avoid “enemies” + regular care, and your furniture will stay new for 5–10 years. For tough issues like large stains or steel rust, contact Homealc customer service for a customized solution!
 

 

标识

刘罗茜 | 销售与市场总监

江苏福瑞家具有限公司
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