How to Clean Modern Furniture

Vacuum loose dirt and dust on leather furniture by using your vacuum cleaner's brush attachment. Wash the leather with a mild soap and distilled water, using a soft cloth. Condition the furniture with a leather protector to keep it supple and help protect against scratches.

Clean and dust hardwood and modern wood veneers with a soft, barely damp cloth. Apply a silicon-free polish after every few cleanings, if desired. Polish and protect with a coat of paste wax twice a year. Avoid over-wetting the surface, as excess moisture causes fiberboard to swell and hardwood and veneers to warp.

Wash marble, travertine and other modern stone furniture surfaces with warm water. Use a mild dish detergent-and-water solution once or twice a year for more thorough cleaning. Apply a clear paste wax, if desired, to protect the surface.

Spot clean upholstered furniture between professional, all-over cleanings. Modern furniture labeling takes the guesswork out of which cleaners to use. Spot clean upholstery with a "W" on the care tag with a water-based foaming cleaner like an upholstery shampoo or mild dish detergent. Spot clean "S"-labeled upholstery with waterless dry-cleaning solvents. Use water-based or solvent cleaners on upholstery with "X-S" on the care tag. Vacuum "X"-labeled upholstery. Avoid both water-based and solvent cleaners.