Sofas and Armchairs

Making The Right Choice

Whether you decide on leather, linen, velvet or cotton, each material has its own unique qualities and characteristics.

Leather is a natural product. It breathes, is warm and has individual characteristics, which make each hide unique. Leather is highly resilient and durable, and over time, develops a patina that increasingly enhances its appeal.

Velvet is incredibly durable, extremely difficult to snag, has no loose threads and many polyester velvets are fairly resistant to stains, so marks can often be brushed off with ease. Velvet wears well, it doesn't malt, crack or fade.

If you prefer a softer seat, then a form of fabric is probably a better choice for you. Fabric sofas also tend to weigh less, so if you're someone that likes to change up your setting, this is worth considering.

If you're unsure or have any queries, we would recommend speaking with one of our furniture specialists to understand which would be the best choice for you and your lifestyle.

General Care

Dust should be removed frequently by vacuuming on a soft setting.
Never use abrasive chemicals to clean the upholstery.
To remove spillages, do not rub into the material as this will cause staining.
Liquid spills should be quickly cleaned by using the edge of absorbent paper towels and then dabbing the area lightly with clean towels.
Try to avoid placing your sofa within close proximity to a heat source, or in prolonged direct sunlight.
Rotate, flip and plump seat cushions where possible, rotate seating positions regularly and dress the cushions after use.
Where cushions can be removed, dry-clean regularly.
Always test any cleaning process on an unseen area first.
We recommend investing in a professional cleaning surface every now and then, to clean all parts of the sofa that cannot be removed, such as arms and backs.

Avoiding Surface Wear And Damage

Try to avoid sitting on the edges of cushions or arms, as this may cause uneven wear and distortion of the padding.
Where zips are used, these should not be required to be unfastened, as they are there for ease of manufacturer.
Beware of dark dyed clothing and sharp objects.
Most materials are not resistant to pets. We would always recommend that a covering is used to protect the upholstery from potential damage.
Ensure the sofas are being used for their intended purpose, and discourage children from jumping or playing on the furniture.
Never force open recliner mechanisms and open them with care.
Over time, the cushions may naturally puddle or wrinkle, especially on soft sit models. This should be smoothed out as the cushions are rotated and re-dressed, to prevent signs of wear showing prematurely.
Castor cups are useful to reduce indentations on carpets and wood flooring.

Leather

Suede, nubuck and aniline leathers require particular care, as they lack a protective coating. Use products specifically designed for these types of finish and follow instructions carefully.
Never use abrasives such as household polish, which may damage the treated surface of the leather.
Leather surfaces can stretch over time, resulting in a relaxed appearance on the seat cushions and the back of seating surfaces, this is a natural characteristic of leather.
We recommend investing in a leather conditioner, to prevent your upholstery from drying out.

Velvet

You may notice your velvet appear crushed. Velvet crushing, sometimes referred to as piling, is completely normal, it's part of the fabrics antiquing process and in no way effects the durability or longevity of the fabric.
Early signs of crushing can often be addressed with an upholstery brush, as an example, to restore the velvet to it's original state.

Fabric

Dark dyed clothing can fade onto the fabric and may not be possible to be removed.
Investing in a treatment to add an additional layer of protection your fabric upholstery, or taking out a protection plan would offer extra reassurance.
'Bobbling' on the fabric surface can be a common occurrance, this can be removed with a lint remover.

For any care guides relating to furniture such as Stressless, Ercol, Parker Knoll etc, please contact our team via email at customersupport@woods-furniture.co.uk