Upholstery Materials

Steel springs, rubber straps or sheeting are used for the base and upholstered with foam and fibre padding. Cushion pads may contain foam, fibre padding, feathers, down or a combination of these. Polydown, which is a combination, may not last quite as long as other cushion fillings, when used in seat cushions.

The upholstered frame of your furniture will benefit from the same care and maintenance as outlined in this guide. Regular vacuuming or dusting is recommended to remove dust and general soiling.

If your furniture has loose cushions, rotate and turn them on a regular basis to even out wear. Cushion interiors also benefit from regular plumping to stop them from becoming flat. This is particularly true of down, which cannot bounce back into shape without plumping.

Cushions with thicker filling require a little more plumping. The larger and heavier the cushion, the more plumping it will require to keep its shape. Remember that some upholstered furniture is designed to develop a ‘lived-in’ look; some soft cushions crease and wrinkle slightly, and this adds to the "comfortable" look which is part of the furniture design.

Where upholstery is fixed in place, try not to sit in the same place all the time. This way the upholstery will have a more even appearance over the seating surface. If the furniture is likely to be subjected to heavy use e.g. by people of above average stature, or continual use throughout the day, ask for advice at ILVA.