You’ve reinvented your space, or maybe moved to a new one. You’ve spent a considerable sum
of money for new office furniture. You’ve had do determine what to do with your old furniture,
you’ve anticipated how the new furniture will look in your office, and you wonder how your
staff are adjusting to the change.
But what may not be top of mind—care, cleaning and maintenance—is an important factor in
preserving the integrity and longevity of your new furniture. Here are a few basic principles to
help ensure excellent return from your furniture investment:
- Examine the furniture upon delivery. Insure all of the parts have arrived in good
condition and the product is assembled correctly. After the furniture has been installed
and put into use, conduct a post-delivery check and immediately report any issues.
Remove from use any product that does not seem to work properly or meet the
specifications for that product and contact the dealer. - Establish a regular routine for care and preventative maintenance with clear instructions
for all staff members who are responsible for regular cleaning and maintenance.
Proactive care will prevent significant damage or personal injury, which may result if
care of your furniture assets is ignored. Most surface cleaning companies charge per
piece of furniture. If you would like to include your upholstered furniture in a
preventative maintenance program, start by building an inventory of all furniture that
needs cleaning. That will help your surface cleaning vendor build a budget for your
upholstery cleaning program. - Maintain accountability with good quality, date-stamped records and checklists of all
care, cleaning and maintenance activity. This helps to avoid missing an important step in
the maintenance procedure and may be vital in the event of a warranty or product
liability claim. - Use only manufacturer’s recommended parts and equipment for repairs or
maintenance, as well as recommended equipment to move furniture. - Ensure that the product is only used for the purpose intended and is not subject to
abuse. - Check that the furniture has been placed on a level, stable, and smooth floor
surface. Often, what appears to be a defect with the furniture is actually the result of a
poor quality, uneven, or unstable floor surface. Adjustable glides may help level the
furniture in certain situations but can never compensate for a floor which is in bad
condition. - Many furniture surface materials such as wood and metal finishes, veneers, laminates,
fabric, wood edges, or plastics will be subject to color fading and physical deterioration
when exposed to sunlight or artificial UV sources. You should not use or store furniture
in these conditions unless it has been specified for such use.
With proper care and maintenance your furniture will look great and serve you for many years.