12 Ways to Make Your Home Feel New Again
Shopping is the easy part for some — the thrill of the chase, the
flutter of excitement at bringing a new treasure home, choosing a new
paint color or materials for a remodel. But what happens to those
glorious finds and finishes months or years later? Before you give in to
the urge to shop for new stuff, consider some home maintenance to show
off what you have in the best possible light. You may find that after
giving what you already have a little extra TLC, your craving for new
stuff fades. You never know; you may even find yourself falling for your
home and decor all over again.
1. Maintain upholstery.
Regular maintenance can go a long way toward keeping upholstery looking
as good as new for as long as possible. Vacuum the fabric and rotate
cushions each time you clean the living room, and clean spills and mend
small tears right away.
Even if a stain has been there for a long time, it can still often be removed with stain remover or hydrogen peroxide; treat it repeatedly until it fades. Just be sure to test new cleaning products on a less-visible area of fabric first.
Even if a stain has been there for a long time, it can still often be removed with stain remover or hydrogen peroxide; treat it repeatedly until it fades. Just be sure to test new cleaning products on a less-visible area of fabric first.
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2. Remove scuff marks and touch up paint.
Small things like scuff marks from shoes and bags, tiny dings and
chipped corners can make a space feel worn out. Spend a day scrubbing,
patching and touching up paint, and you'll notice a world of difference.
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by Tara Bussema
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3. Make furniture gleam.
If you can't remember the last time you polished your wood furniture,
doing so will probably make you wonder why you don't do it all the time —
the difference is amazing.
The type of finish on your furniture will determine what you use to polish it. Midcentury teak pieces are often finished with oil alone, so simply rubbing in a bit more teak oil from time to time will suffice. Finished wood pieces may respond well to a furniture paste or wax — read the directions thoroughly before trying any new product.
The type of finish on your furniture will determine what you use to polish it. Midcentury teak pieces are often finished with oil alone, so simply rubbing in a bit more teak oil from time to time will suffice. Finished wood pieces may respond well to a furniture paste or wax — read the directions thoroughly before trying any new product.
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4. Remove stains from marble. This
porous surface is prone to staining, so it's important to wipe up
spills immediately. Of course, there are times that just doesn't happen.
No matter how or when it happened, there still may be hope for
restoring the beauty of your marble. Check the chart available from the Marble Institute of America
for methods of removing all sorts of stains. If you still can't get it
out, call a pro — improving the counters you have is still cheaper than
getting new ones.
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5. Care for wood counters.
Remove scratches and stains on your wood countertops by gently sanding
the area; then rub in a food-grade mineral oil with a soft rag. To
prevent future damage, always use trivets under hot items, wipe up
spills quickly and cut items on cutting boards, not on the counter.
Step by step: How to clean and care for your butcher block |
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6. Refresh old wood floors.
Even if you don't want to have your wood floors refinished, there are
still ways to make them look their best. What you use to refresh your
floors will depend on the type of finish your wood floors have.
Floors with a natural oil-rubbed finish can be shined up with wood oil. Really old, worn floors may do well with a wax. Floors finished with polyurethane can be cleaned with a solution of white vinegar and water. Just avoid getting the floors really wet by applying the solution with a barely damp mop and wiping dry with a towel immediately after. Excess water on wood floors of any type can potentially cause damage. |
7. Refluff area rugs. Fluffy rugs like flokatis
and sheepskins look amazing when you first bring them home, but ...
less amazing after several months of wear and tear. Most small natural
flokati and sheepskin rugs can be hand washed (or even machine washed on
delicate) in mild soap and then air dried.
Between washings, simply shake out and then brush your rug with a dog brush. Just be sure to read the cleaning instructions before deciding on a method.
Between washings, simply shake out and then brush your rug with a dog brush. Just be sure to read the cleaning instructions before deciding on a method.
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8. Deep clean wall-to-wall carpeting. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning will get you only so far. Every once in a while, it pays to rent, borrow or buy a steam cleaner
to give your carpeting a deep clean. To help the floor dry as quickly
and completely as possible, wait for a dry day and set up a dehumidifier
in the room afterward.
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9. Condition leather. Leather
furniture can actually look better with age, provided that it is
properly cared for. Use a leather conditioner a few times each year to
keep the leather from drying out and cracking.
Keep it looking fresh by vacuuming and then buffing with a dry microfiber cloth as needed. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, using a dry cloth to soak up any liquid. |
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by Chango & Co.
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10. Brighten whites. Slipcovers,
pillow covers, curtains, towels and more can all use a good refreshing
from time to time. If you don't want to use chlorine bleach on your
whites, try an oxygen- or hydrogen peroxide–based nonchlorine bleach
instead.
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11. Touch up appliances.
Years of use can create all sorts of stains and scratches on the
once-pristine finish of your washer and dryer. If new appliances are not
in the cards, consider painting yours with a product designed for the
task, like the Appliance Enamel paint from Rust-Oleum. You can also use
appliance paint on worn-out finishes in the kitchen, from the fridge to
the dishwasher. Do not use it on surfaces that get hot, like stovetops.
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