Products Care & Cleaning

How to Care for and Clean Your Furniture

Now that you've opened your home to Buenvivir SA de CV, you'll want to enjoy your furniture for years to come. To do so, we recommend proper care and cleaning. This practical guide applies to all types of furniture, both upholstered and painted, including mattresses and rugs.

Fabric Upholstered Furniture
We offer countless upholstery options, from fine leather and synthetic (faux leather) alternatives to cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon, and wool blends. For your reference, our upholstered products have a tag underneath some of the seat cushions or under the item itself. The tag includes the Universal Cleaning Code that outlines recommended cleaning best practices.

Universal cleaning codes include:

DC - Dry Clean Only

E - Use the Millennium Leather Care Kit

N - Use the Millennium Leather Care Kit

N FBR- (Natural Fiber Rugs) Blot spills immediately and absorb liquids with a clean white cloth or paper towels. Rub with a solution of one teaspoon of mild detergent and one teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of warm water. Do not saturate.

S - Clean only with a dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate. Do not use water. High-pile fabrics will require brushing to restore their appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed for dry cleaning.

SW- Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, mild detergent foam, or mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate with liquid. High-pile fabrics will require brushing to restore their appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed for dry cleaning.

W - Clean only with water-based shampoo or upholstery foam. Do not over-wet. Do not use spot cleaning solvents. High-pile fabrics will require brushing to restore their appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed for dry cleaning.

WS - Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, mild detergent foam, or mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate with liquid. High-pile fabrics will require brushing to restore their appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed for dry cleaning.

X - Do not clean with water-based or solvent-based cleaners. Use vacuum or soft brush only.

Wool - Blot up spills immediately with a clean white cloth or paper towels.

Leather Upholstered Furniture

Leather is imperfect, and that's its beauty. Genuine leather has natural marks, including variations in shade and tone, as well as blemishes, scratches, and wrinkles—characteristics that distinguish it from synthetic materials.

Some marks may appear on the leather's surface. These marks can range from healed scars and barbed wire scratches to skin "streaks" and insect bites. These marks should not be considered defects under any circumstances, nor will they affect the durability or construction of your furniture. These marks assure you that your piece is genuine leather.

Also keep in mind that the tanned leather pattern and color can vary from hide to hide, even within the same piece; this makes the leather more interesting and unique.

How to care for leather:

Remove dust and use a vacuum to clean between seams and crevices.
Clean weekly with a damp sponge or soft, lint-free cloth. Don't rub, just wipe gently.
Do not use or place sharp objects on the leather. Leather is very durable; however, it is not accident-proof or damage-proof.
Avoid direct sunlight on leather furniture and keep it at least two feet away from heat sources to prevent wear and cracking.
Do not leave newspapers or magazines on leather furniture. The ink could transfer to the leather.
Do not use abrasives, harsh chemicals, saddle soap, leather cleaners containing oils, soaps, or detergents, or common household cleaners on leather furniture. Use only recommended leather cleaners.
Follow the instructions on the gentle leather cleaner you use. Leather conditioners provide a barrier against stains and prolong the life of the leather. Before using any leather cleaner or conditioner, test it on a dark, inconspicuous area.
Improper cleaning can void the warranty on leather furniture.

How to Remove Stains, Spills, and Marks from Leather:

Watermarks: Watermarks can be removed by wiping the entire area from end to end with a damp cloth to eliminate any visible marks.

Pet Urine Stains: We recommend using "Natural Miracle," available at pet stores, to clean pet urine stains and neutralize the area. Follow the product directions. Keep in mind that whenever you "wash" or clean leather, you should do so on the entire surface, from end to end, to eliminate any watermarks. If the leather dries evenly, there will be no visible marks.

Ink Stains: Ink remover sticks will remove or reduce visible ink marks on most leathers.

Grease/Oil Stains from Food: Small oil stains can be treated and removed successfully if cleaned immediately. Quickly rub cornstarch into the stain with your fingers until you feel the heat from the friction. Heat loosens the oil and allows the starch to absorb it before the leather does. Vacuum or brush to remove dust. Repeat until the stain disappears.

Watermarks: What do you need to remove watermarks? Clean water. For halos or watermarks caused by condensation from a glass, moisten a fresh sponge with room temperature water; wring the sponge out well. Start moistening the leather where the mark is and continue toward the edges of the cushion. Allow the sponge's moisture to decrease as you move away from the mark. Don't rub, just wipe.

Whether it's all-wood furniture
or a combination of wood, synthetic, and wood veneer, you'll want to protect it from damage and maintain its perfect, radiant finish and appearance for years to come. Here are some tips to help you achieve this.

How to care for wood furniture:

Use a lint-free cloth to polish wood furniture weekly.
Keep the furniture away from heat sources and air conditioning to prevent moisture loss; avoid direct sunlight to prevent discoloration or darkening of the wood.
Place felt under lamps and other accessories to prevent scratches and marks, and move accessories around so they're not always in the same place.
Place placemats and trivets under plates and use coasters for drinks.
Don't leave newspapers or magazines on wood surfaces. The ink from these could transfer to the finish and damage the wood.
Do not use abrasives or harsh chemicals on wood furniture.
For scratches on furniture: Hardware and home improvement stores sell markers and crayons in various colors for touching up furniture. These markers and crayons are specifically designed for furniture and generally work well when touching up imperfections.

How to clean stains on wooden furniture:

To remove food stains, first wipe off the dirt immediately. Buff with a clean, soft cloth.
To remove dullness, rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar in one liter of water. Rub in the direction of the grain until the surface is completely dry. Then, apply a non-waxing or silicone-free furniture oil or polish, such as Guardsman or Heritage.
To remove water halos, make a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and cooking oil and rub in the direction of the grain.
To remove wax, candle wax, or gum, place an ice cube on the wax or gum for a few seconds to harden and solidify the stain. Wipe away the water as the cube melts to prevent watermarks. Remove as much of the wax or gum as possible with your fingers, then gently scrape with the dull side of a table knife to remove the remainder. Quickly rub the stain with a cloth soaked in furniture polish. Repeat if necessary.

Glass Furniture
Nothing enhances a room better than the beauty and transparency of glass. Of course, you must also be careful not to break it. You must also prevent it from becoming cloudy or scratched. By following a few simple steps, you will clearly have furniture that will last a long time.

How to care for glass furniture:

Do not slide rough objects on the glass. This could cause permanent scratches.
Do not use abrasive cleaners on the glass to avoid scratches.
Before cleaning the glass, carefully remove excess dust and dirt to avoid scratching the surface.
To clean glass, choose non-abrasive glass cleaners or use warm water and a soft, lint-free cloth. Squeeze out excess water and wipe the surface. Dry immediately with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Metal Furniture
Whether adding a rustic element or giving your furniture a modern, industrial touch, at Buenvivir SA de CV, we incorporate metal pieces in a variety of ways into our furniture. Most of the metal you'll find is finished with a shiny finish to smooth the surfaces.

How to Care for and Clean Metal Furniture:
When it comes to cleaning metal, less is more. Generally, dusting periodically with a clean, dry cloth is sufficient.
Do not use abrasive chemicals or harsh cleaners on metal finishes to avoid damaging them.
Note: Iron or steel frames may rust if exposed to excessive moisture, particularly in saltwater environments.

Painted Furniture
Colorful and unique, hand-painted furniture expresses your personal style in a unique way. It's important to place this furniture out of direct sunlight to maintain the color and shine of the finish.

How to Care for and Clean Painted Furniture
Dust or wipe with a damp cloth once a week. Be careful not to leave any water on the surface. When dry, water can leave permanent marks.
Do not use harsh chemicals or harsh cleaners on metal finishes to avoid damaging them.

Follow these steps to clean stains/marks:
Dampen a soft cloth with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Wring out as much excess liquid from the cloth as possible. Gently rub the surface in a circular motion. Dry the surface immediately with a clean, soft towel.

Marble and Natural Stone Furniture
Natural stone such as marble and slate bring an exotic, organic element to any environment. They are universally admired for their distinctive qualities. There may be some color variation between pieces, and even within a single slab. Stone surfaces may have pits and fissures, similar to cracks. These are the result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the stone thousands of years ago. These characteristics do not affect its functionality or durability; on the contrary, they enhance its beauty. And while marble, slate, and natural stone are undoubtedly very durable, this does not mean they are indestructible.

How to Care for Marble and Slate:

General Cleaning: Soak a sponge or clean cloth in warm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid; squeeze out excess liquid, wipe, and dry the surface immediately (with a dry cloth). For a deeper clean, you can also use a marble cleaner.

Place coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcoholic beverages or citrus juices; place placemats under dishes, china, ceramics, utensils, and other objects that could scratch the stone surface.
Do not use vinegar, bleach, lemon, ammonia, all-purpose cleaners, or abrasive cleaning agents (such as Comet).
Do not use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, tile cleaners, or bathtub cleaners.
Do not use alkaline cleaners that are not specifically formulated for cleaning natural stone.
Do not leave puddles of water on the marble surface to avoid marks.
Professional polishing is recommended to remove permanent marks and restore the stone's natural finish.
If you choose to seal your marble, use a quality product and follow the manufacturer's instructions (stone sealers can be purchased at most home improvement centers).

Spot Cleaning Marble and Stone

Liquid Spills: Absorb excess liquid with a clean, dry, white cloth. Spray the area with marble cleaner or warm water and wipe.

Food Spills: Remove food with a non-abrasive object, such as a plastic spoon. Wipe up with a clean white cloth. Spray the area with marble cleaner and wipe.

Rugs:
How to care for your Buenvivir SA de CV rug will depend on the material it's made of. Some rugs can be spot cleaned. Others, such as wool or polypropylene rugs, should be dry cleaned only. For best results, refer to the cleaning instructions on the label located at the end of your rug.

How to care for rugs:

Vacuum the rug periodically using the lowest suction setting to avoid fraying the fringes.
Rotate the carpet periodically to distribute wear evenly.
If possible, have a professional cleaning once a year to remove stains.

Localized Cleaning of Mats:

First, check the cleaning instructions on the label on the bottom of your mat to see if spot cleaning is possible.
For spills, wipe with a clean, absorbent white cloth. Do not rub. Many stains can be removed by applying club soda and a small amount of carpet cleaning detergent.
To remove candle wax, place blotting paper or a brown paper bag over the stain. Place the hot iron over the blotting paper (move it constantly and don't leave it stationary in one place). Wait a few minutes for the blotting paper to absorb the wax. Repeat if necessary.
To remove gum, place ice cubes on the stain. Wait until the gum loses its strength and can be easily removed. Use a stain remover to remove the last traces of gum. Dampen the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar or alcohol.
To remove ink stains, moisten with hairspray. Let dry. Gently wipe with a vinegar and water solution.

Mattresses:
You can rest easy knowing Ashley-Sleep® mattresses don't require much care or maintenance. For starters, all Ashley-Sleep mattresses are designed to be non-rotating—how's that a relief?

How to care for your mattress

To keep your Ashley-Sleep mattress clean, we recommend using a mattress protector that allows airflow and heat dissipation. Ashley-Sleep does not recommend the use of quilted mattress protectors, as they will alter the texture and feel of the mattress you selected in store. Additionally, they can impede heat dissipation.
Do not apply any type of dry cleaning liquid to your mattress. These products may partially affect the upholstery materials and comfort.
The only recommended cleaning method is vacuuming. If you need to remove a stain, use mild soap and cold water and let the mattress air dry completely.
Remind children not to jump on the Ashley-Sleep mattress to avoid damaging the materials and internal structure.