Here are some tips to keep your armchair squeaky clean.

The "Sunday Morning" Vacuum Rule

You don't need to spend your whole weekend deep-cleaning to keep things fresh. The secret is just doing the small stuff more often.

Every time you pull out the vacuum for the floors, grab the upholstery attachment and go over the cushions of your armchairs Dust and grit are basically like tiny pieces of sandpaper. Every time you sit down, that hidden dirt rubs against the fibers and slowly wears them down until the fabric thins out. And don't forget to dig into the "crevice of doom", that gap between the seat and the backrest where loose change and old popcorn go to hide.

What to Do When You Actually Spill Something

It happens to the best of us. You reach for the remote, your elbow clips your mug, and suddenly there’s a brown puddle growing on the armrest. Whatever you do, do not rub it. If you rub a stain, you’re just forcing the liquid deeper into the padding and making the mess twice as large.

Grab a clean, white cloth, don't use a colored one or the dye might bleed into your chair, and just blot it. You want to lift the moisture out, not grind it in. For most fabric armchairs, a tiny drop of clear dish soap in some lukewarm water is usually enough to lift the spot. If you’ve got leather, keep a specific leather cream in the drawer. Leather is skin; it needs to stay hydrated so it doesn't crack in the dry heat of the house.

The "Flip and Fluff" Strategy

If you always sit in the exact same spot in the exact same way, you’re going to end up with a permanent "butt-shaped" dent in the foam. It’s just physics. To keep your armchairs looking like they did in the showroom, you have to move things around.

If the cushions come off, flip them over once a week. If they’re attached, give them a good "karate chop" and a fluffing to move the stuffing back into place. This keeps the internal structure from collapsing and makes sure the wear and tear is spread out. It takes thirty seconds, but it adds years to the life of the chair.