When you make a big furniture purchase, you want your furniture to retain the same appeal as it did the day you purchased it. Knowing the basics on how to clean and maintain your upholstered furniture will help you maintain the same great look for many years to come. A little maintenance can go a long way and save you money in the long run.

The first thing you want to try is choosing the right fabric. Choose a type of fabric that fits your life style now, and in years to come if you want it to last. For example, you may want to purchase heavy-duty fabrics for areas that will experience lot of traffic. See if you can purchase furniture with completely removable covers, if it makes you feel better.

Find out if the fabric was treated when it was made. For example, if the product was pre-treated with fabric protection or if it was treated with water repellents. If it has or has not, you can always add more protection, especially if you are unsure if it was treated.

Even though your furniture has been treated, it is not a quick fix or solution to staining. You will always have to clean accidents that happen on the furniture right away. Try to keep your care instructions handy, if you have them from the store.

If you are able to flip seat cushions, try to do this periodically. It will help your furniture look better and last longer. It will even out the wear and tear that may occur on your furniture from normal use. Fluff up the back cushions if possible. If they are removable back cushions fluff and flip them.

On a weekly basic, be sure to vacuum and use a soft brush to control dust from accumulating in the fibers.

When spills occur, be sure to blot, immediately with a clean town. Be sure never to rub, it will make the stain travel deeper in the fabric and it will ruin the look of the fabric.

If cleaning solutions are necessary, be sure to test an inconspicuous spot first. If you have the cleaning instructions from the manufacturer, check what type of product is safe to use on your furniture. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Be careful where you position your furniture. Placing your sofa too close or in front of a window that gets a lot of sunlight can cause your furniture to become faded or even tray. If your furniture is near your kitchen, it can easily absorb cooking odors. Orders from smoking can damage your fabric as well. Even though all this is hard to avoid some of these occurrences, proper ventilation can at least help reduce the problem.

One last bit of advice, is that is a good idea to have your furniture professionally cleaned every few years or so, just to preserve your furniture. You don't have to wait for your furniture to be in shambles, it should be done anyway to prevent this.

Following these basic principles can help you prepare to enjoy your furniture in a great state for many years to come.