Regular and appropriate cleaning of fabric-based furniture will help them stand the test of time.

1. Bring our your vacuum cleaner

Just as you would sweep the floors before washing them, the best way to start cleaning any upholstered items in your home – be it your sofa or your mattress – is with a thorough vacuuming to get rid of loose crumbs, hair, pet fur and dreaded dust. A wireless, hand-held vacuum does the trick, but you might need to use smaller attachments to reach awkward corners.

2. Know your furniture

Some fabrics might tolerate being cleaned with water, but others might get irreversibly damaged. It’s always recommended to check labels, manufacturing details or vendor instructions for the best way to clean your upholstered furniture. If this isn’t possible, test a small patch on an inconspicuous area to see how it reacts to your cleaning products.

3. Use gentle products first

If dealt with immediately, you may be able to get away with using commonplace wipes to get rid of stains on fabric, which are gentle as opposed to strong soaps and chemicals that could damage fabric fibres. It’s best to avoid rubbing stains too – this tends to work dirt deeper into the fabric. Try regular strokes instead, and if you do need to use a stain remover, opt for a soft cloth instead of a rough sponge or brush.

4. Water isn’t always the best choice

Not only could water lead to mould growing on your furniture, but – if it doesn’t dry well – it could leave ring stains on fabrics which can be incredibly difficult to remove. Next time you’re at your local detergents shop, look out for stain removers that can be applied to fabric without using water – DIY dry-cleaning.

5. When in doubt…

This method is great for doing a lot in less time. For an effective deep clean, create a list of chores for each room, starting with those that haven’t been done in a while, such as cleaning out kitchen cupboards and throwing out expired food items.