While stunning interior design plays a crucial role in making a space truly shine, it's the ongoing maintenance that keeps your home feeling loved and well-cared for long after the initial installation.

I've gathered valuable insights from my most trusted vendors and compiled them to share with you. While these tips are not exhaustive, they provide an excellent foundation for maintaining your beautifully updated space. Below is my seasonal checklist of easy home maintenance tips to help you keep your home in top shape.

1. General Maintenance

Dusting: Use a slightly damp, lint-free cloth to dust surfaces.

Surface Protection: Always utilize drink coasters and placemats to safeguard your furniture. Immediately wipe up any spills to prevent damage. Place protective pads under hot dishes, and ensure that the bottoms of all tabletop accessories are covered with felt pads.
Humidity and Sunlight: Avoid exposing wood to extreme fluctuations in humidity. Consider using window treatments to shield furniture from harsh sunlight or prolonged exposure.

**Self-Stick Furniture Round Felt Pads for Hard Surfaces – Protect your Hard Floors from Furniture Scratches, 1″ Linen, Round (48 Pieces)**, **Marble Coasters**, **Weave Trivet**, **Skura Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths – 6 pk**

2. Marble Care

Stone experts recommend using a PH neutral stone cleaner such as Miracle Sealants in a concentrate form on all stone, marble, and granite.
Shop it here: Miracle Sealants Tile & Stone Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon

3. Plumbing Care

Avoid Harsh Chemicals,use gentle, non-corrosive cleaners on your plumbing fixtures to avoid damaging finishes. Products like Flitz or Faucet Brite are recommended for cleaning stainless steel, chrome, or brass fixtures. Consider using eco-friendly cleaners that are safe for both your plumbing and the environment, such as Method Steel for Real cleaner for stainless steel surfaces.

Shop it here: Flitz BP 03511 Metal, Plastic and Fiberglass Polish Paste in 1.76-Ounce Blister Tube

4. Specialty Glass Care

For regular cleaning use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth or sponge to gently wipe glass surfaces. Our glass installer recommends using Sprayaway Glass Cleaner. The key is to avoid ammonia on these surfaces to preserve the glass. Always clean from top to bottom to avoid streaks and ensure that any drips fall onto areas that are yet to be cleaned. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight, as this can cause cleaning solutions to dry too quickly, leading to streaks. To remove hard water stains try SoftScrub or The Pink Stuff on dry glass.

Shop it here: Sprayaway Glass Cleaner, The Pink Stuff, SoftScrub

5. Carpet Care

Vacuum your carpet at least once a week to remove dust and debris - do not use a beater bar. Blot stains immediately and clean with mild soap and water. Use a fan or dryer to speed up the drying process-avoid exposure to too much moisture. Shedding is normal with wool rugs and trim stray tufts with scissors. For preventative maintenance establish shoe-free zones in your home to reduce dirt transfer and protect rugs from fading by limiting direct sunlight exposure.

Our carpet experts recommend using Capture to clean up any spots on your carpet. Check each carpet for vacuum recommendations.

Shop it here: Capture Carpet Dry Cleaning Kit 100 – Resolve Allergens Stain Smell Moisture from Rug Furniture Clothes and Fabric, Mold Pet Stains Odor Smoke and Allergies Too

6. Upholstery Care

Fabric pilling is common, especially with performance fabrics. We suggest a fabric shaver for pill removal, this is a great one. Pilling will cease, so this will not be a long term concern. Rotate the seat cushions and back pillows on your furniture. This will help the cushions and backs maintain their shape and ensure even wear. Finally, avoid exposing your furniture to direct sunlight to prevent fading of the upholstery fabric.

When cleaning a spill, blot with a clean white cloth. Do not rub spilled material into the upholstery fabric. If blotting with a dry cloth doesn't remove the spill, then check the cleaning code of your fabric to determine what type of cleaning solution to choose. Always spot test in an inconspicuous area.

Caution - Never remove cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or washing, even though they do have zippers. Never use bleach or bleach products to clean upholstery. The use of steam may cause excessive shrinkage or staining. Never use any tumble method of cleaning as this may destroy the backing of the fabric or shrink or otherwise damage the fabric.

We recommend Fiberseal for upholstery and carpet cleaning.

7. Wood Maintenance

Renewing the Shine

To keep your wood table looking its best, periodically buff it with a lint-free cloth to restore its shine. For spills, use a damp cloth with distilled water or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and distilled water. After wiping, be sure to buff the surface dry. Additionally, once a year, apply a coat of Danish oil to nourish the wood.

Shop it here: Watco 242219 Danish Oil Wood Finish, Low VOC, Pint, Natural

Protecting Your Floors

Before placing any furniture on wood floors, make sure to attach felt pads to the bottom of each piece. This will help prevent scratches and damage. Be sure to check the felt pads annually on frequently used items, as they may need to be replaced over time.

Maintain the beauty of your hardwood floors by using a product like Bona, which is designed to avoid oil buildup. This ensures that your floors remain clean and stunning without the risk of residue accumulation.

Shop it here: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

8. Bedding & Towels

Maintaining your bedding is crucial for ensuring comfort, longevity, and a fresh look in your bedroom. Separate your towels and bedding from other laundry. It's best to wash similar items together to ensure even cleaning. To keep the detergent from building up on your linens, Pour 1 cup of white distilled vinegar directly into the drum or into the fabric softener dispenser. This will replace your usual laundry detergent for this cycle.

For everyday loads we recommend giving the earth and your body a break from all the chemicals and plastics. We use this eco friendly detergent and love it.

Shop it here: Clean People