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❄️ Preparing upholstered furniture for winter: what you need to know

Linea Rosso - Upholstered Furniture

With the onset of the cold season, we insulate our homes, take out warm blankets and change the textiles in the interior. But we often forget that upholstered furniture also requires special care in winter. Low temperatures, dry air from heating and reduced humidity levels can negatively affect the appearance and service life of sofas, armchairs and poufs.

In this article we will tell you, why it is important to prepare furniture for winter, what exactly needs to be done and what materials require special attention.

🌡️ Why can winter be “stressful” for upholstered furniture?

At first glance, it may seem that winter does not affect a sofa or armchair in a warm room. But this is not so. The winter period is accompanied by:

  • 🔥 Dry air from central heating

  • 🌬️ Drafts with regular ventilation

  • 🧊 Temperature changes, especially in unheated rooms (balconies, summer houses)

  • 🐾 Increased load - in cold weather we spend more time at home

All this can damage the upholstery, weaken the adhesive joints, and cause fabric shrinkage and even cracks in the skin.

✅ What needs to be done: step-by-step preparation of furniture for winter

Here practical advice, which will help keep your upholstered furniture in excellent condition throughout the winter:

🧼 1. Do a general cleaning

Before the heating season, it is important to remove all dust and dirt from the upholstery:

  • Vacuum upholstered furniture with a brush attachment

  • Clean fabric or leather with special products depending on the type of upholstery.

  • Treat with antiseptic spray (especially if there are children or animals in the house)

🔎 Important: Do not use aggressive chemicals - they can dry out the material when combined with dry air.

💧 2. Control the humidity level

In winter, the air in apartments becomes too dry - this is harmful not only for people, but also for furniture:

  • Ideal humidity level: 40–60%

  • Use humidifiers, especially in rooms with leather furniture

  • Install hygrometerto monitor humidity levels

🪑 Genuine leather is especially sensitive to overdrying - it can crack or lose elasticity.

🛡️ 3. Protect the upholstery

In winter, furniture is subject to more intensive use, especially in the living room. It is recommended:

  • Use capes, blankets or coversto protect the upholstery

  • Treat fabric upholstery moisture-resistant impregnation

  • Leather furniture - cover Nourishing conditioner or cream

🔐 This is especially true for light-colored furniture - in winter there is an increased risk of stains from drinks, chocolate, cosmetics and other "winter" joys.

🌬️ 4. Avoid direct contact with heating

Avoid placing furniture close to radiators, fireplaces or heaters. High temperature:

  • destroys adhesive joints

  • dries out the upholstery

  • causes deformation of the structure

📏 Optimal distance from heat sources: not less than 30 cm.

🚫 5. Protect furniture from drafts

Regular ventilation is good, but sharp blasts of cold air may damage furniture:

  • Keep windows open for short periods of time

  • Use thick curtains or screens to reduce the impact of drafts

  • Move furniture away from windows, especially if the frames are not sealed.

🐶 6. Think about furniture and pets

In winter, pets often seek out cozy places - often a sofa. To preserve the upholstery:

  • Use special anti-claw covers

  • Lay out a separate rug or blanket for your pet.

  • Clean your furniture regularly to remove hair and paw prints.

🐾 This will extend the life of the fabric and eliminate the need for urgent dry cleaning.

🪑 Features of care for different materials in winter

Different upholstery materials react differently to winter conditions:

✔️ Fabric (velor, matting, jacquard):

  • Afraid of overdrying

  • Requires regular air humidification

  • May become electrified - use antistatic

✔️ Genuine leather:

  • The most capricious in winter

  • It is essential to humidify the air and apply protective cream.

  • Avoid exposure to snow, water or frost

✔️ Artificial leather (eco-leather):

  • Less sensitive, but may crack in low humidity

  • Use special products for PVC and PU materials

✔️ Chenille and microfiber:

  • Resistant to dirt

  • Require regular dry cleaning and ventilation

  • Do not overdry

🕰️ What to do with furniture in unheated summer houses or balconies?

If the upholstered furniture remains in cold rooms, especially in winter, it is important:

  • Move it to a dry place or cover it. waterproof cover

  • Put under coastersso that it doesn't stand on the cold floor

  • Ventilate the room periodically

📌 You cannot leave leather or fabric furniture on balconies without insulation - even with closed glazing, the material can deteriorate.

🎯 Let's sum it up: 7 main steps to prepare upholstered furniture for winter

  1. Clean and refresh your upholstery

  2. Humidify the air

  3. Use protective coatings and products

  4. Keep furniture away from heating appliances

  5. Avoid drafts

  6. Consider the behavior of pets

  7. Take care of furniture in unheated rooms

💚 Winter care = durability and comfort

Winter is not only a season of holidays and coziness, but also a test for home interiors. Proper care of upholstered furniture will help preserve it beauty, comfort and durability for many years.

IN Linea Rosso We not only create custom furniture, but also share useful recommendations so that your furniture will serve you for a long time and bring you joy every day.

📞 Any questions left? Our specialists will always help you choose materials that are resistant to seasonal changes and give you care advice.

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