Buying the Perfect Sofa

Buying the perfect sofa doesn't need to stress you out.  Follow our easy guide and soon you'll be relaxing on YOUR perfect comfort zone!

1.  Fit, of course, is one of the most important things to consider.  What are the dimensions of the space where you plan to place the sofa?  Do you want to have room for end tables on one or both sides?  If you want a sleep sofa, did you measure to make sure it will have room to open?  Bring your measurements in to Spector Furniture and we will work with you to find the perfect fit.

2.  Finding the perfect fabric can seem like a daunting task, but if you know what kind of use the sofa will be getting, your sales person can help narrow down your choices to something that will work for your needs.  Whether you need to spruce up a formal living room, have a comfortable spot for TV,  a nice place to relax in a sunny room, or something a little more Kid Proof we can help you find what you are looking for.

3. Comfort is a very personal thing.  Only you will know if firm or soft feels best.  We will be happy to show you many different choices in firmness, depth, and seat height until you find your favorite!

4. Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable about the construction of the sofas in their showroom.  The better it's built, the longer it will last!

Spector Furniture and Mattress Gallery has been furnishing Connecticut homes for over 130 years.  Our sales force (Ken and Howie, also our owners) take pride in helping you to find the perfect fit for your living style and your taste.  Please stop by our showroom and see the quality and customer service that has kept us a Connecticut staple for so long!

How to Clean and Protect Your Upholstered Furniture

W

e all want to keep our furniture looking new and beautiful for as long as possible.  There are ways to do this that don’t involve plastic covers or making the new sofa, loveseat, or chair off limits to the kids.  No matter how careful we are, there are going to be accidents and a little knowledge can help to make sure that a spill is a minor incident, rather than a major catastrophe.

 

First, learn a little bit about your fabric.  When you purchase your furniture, ask the sales person about it.  Upholstery fabrics have cleaning codes and those codes will help you to know the best way to clean your furniture.  No one code is better or more desirable than the others; they just tell us the best way to preserve the appearance of the fabric.  The four codes are: W, S, WS, and X.

Always make sure to spot test in a small unseen area before cleaning!

The W code stands for water cleanable.  Use a soft white cloth that is lint free and a solution of water with a mild, dye free detergent such as ivory dish washing detergent.  Many ready made cleaners, such as resolve are also water based…just make sure to check that it is water based before using.  Dampen the cloth and squeeze out any excess water.  Gently rub the stained area until the stain is removed.  If you place a fan near the area you can speed up the drying process.

The S code stands for solvent cleanable.  Water based products should not be used on S code fabrics!  Instead, use a gentle dry cleaning product that is approved for fabrics.  Guardsman solvent based cleaner is a good choice.  Once again, use a white, lint free cloth.  Dampen the cloth with the cleaner and rub the stain in a circular motion.  For large stains keep changing to a clean area of your cloth.  You should make sure to use solvent based cleaners in a well ventilated area.

The WS code is exactly what you would guess….either water or solvent based cleaners will work for this fabric using the methods described above.

 

The X code stands for vacuum only.  Clean these fabrics only by lightly brushing or vacuuming the avoid buildup of dirt and dust.  Water or solvent based cleaners of any kind could cause staining, distortion of the pile, or shrinking of the fabric.

 

A good way to prevent spills from becoming a problem is to have your new upholstered furniture treated with fabric protection, such as Guardsman Fabricoate spray.  This protection is available in a “do it yourself” spray can, or can be professionally sprayed on before delivery.  Pre-delivery professional spraying of our Guardsman product includes a 5 year warranty against many kind of spills, stains, and even rips and tears.

 
Whatever upholstered furniture you have, if you give it a little care at the right times, it is sure to stay looking clean and new for years to come!