We all know that it’s the little things that make a house feel like a home. These decorative items are personal touches meant to express your personality, but they can’t exactly do this when they’re covered in dust and dirt. A lot of us forget to clean the little decorations around our house, not knowing that they’re already covered in grime and debris.
From the accent pillows on your couch to even the decorative feathers that provide a burst of color, they all need to be cleaned just like everything else in your house. Here’s how you can get started.
How to Clean Decorative Pillows
Throw pillows are nice accents to pull the decoration of a room together, but only if they're clean throw pillows. Since they're more decorative, you probably don't think about having to wash them regularly—but you do.
Before you do anything to your throw pillows, make sure to look for the tag attached as the manufacturer's care label specifies the recommended way of cleaning—whether through dry cleaning, hand washing or machine washing.
How to Clean Decorative Pillow with Removable Cover
Cleaning your accent pillows with a washing machine is undoubtedly the easiest and most convenient way to go about it, but it can only be done on pillows with removable covers. Here's how you can do it.
Start by removing the pillow cover from the decorative pillow as this will be washed in a separate cycle. You can also take this time to treat any pillow stains by dabbing on a cleaning solution with a sponge.
Now, it’s time to toss your pillow into the washing machine, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind for this step. When cleaning throw pillows, you should always use a mild detergent and warm water. You should also set your machine on a delicate cycle.
After the cycle has finished, hang them to completely dry, or you can throw them into the dryer with a few dryer balls when they're around 75% dry to fluff them up.
How to Clean Decorative Pillow without Removable Cover
Some throw pillows don’t come with removable covers and just can’t be tossed into the washing machine, but they can actually be cleaned by a light sponge cleaning. For this method, you'll need a good upholstery shampoo and a sponge,
All you need to do is pour a good amount onto the sponge and gently press this onto the stained area in a circular motion. Make sure that you clean the entire pillow, including the accents and decorations, before getting a clean towel and blotting away any excess moisture.
How to Clean Decorative Tin
Decorative tins are used to add a bit of art and beauty onto tables and other surfaces. They’re usually made of metal, which makes it harder to clean, especially if they have a lot of detailing that become hard areas to reach into.
Before you start the cleaning process, it’s important to give your decorative tin a good rinse to get as much of the loose dirt and dust off as possible. After rinsing, gently wipe it dry with a clean cloth before getting a mild detergent, preferably one that is not abrasive.
Pour a bit onto a sponge or a microfiber cloth and carefully wipe this over the decorative tin thoroughly. After making sure that the entire tin has been wiped with the detergent, get another dry cloth to wipe it completely dry. It’s important to make sure that no excess moisture is left behind as this can possibly cause your decorative tin to rust.
How to Clean Decorative Feathers
Decorative feathers serve as interesting accents to any room, but things like sun, mold and even pests can threaten their beauty. Cleaning them regularly will help them keep their condition, and there’s a simple way you can do this.
When you find dirt or debris on your decorative feathers, just rinse them with clean water and wash them with a mild dish soap. It’s important that you work the dish soap from the base of the feather all the way to the tip before rinsing away the soap. Afterwards, all you need to do is dry it completely either by leaving it to air dry or by using a hair dryer.
In case your feather ends up misshapen, just boil some water in a pot and put your feather in the steam before gently stroking it back into shape.
How to Clean Decorative Mirrors
To clean a decorative mirror, you should always lightly dust the reflective surface with either a feather duster or a dry cloth. This helps remove any potentially abrasive particles that could scratch the surface.
Afterwards, get any commercial glass cleaner and spray this onto a soft cloth like a microfiber cloth before thoroughly wiping the entire surface. You should never spray the cleaner directly onto the mirror or its frame.
To clean the frame, simply dust it once again with either a feather duster or a dry cloth before getting a clean damp cloth and wiping this over the entire circumference. When cleaning the frame, it’s best to just use water as any type of conditioner or chemical cleaner can possibly damage the finish.
These decorative items are what make a room stand out, so make sure you clean them as often as you clean the rest of your house. However, when life gets in the way and you don’t have the time to clean, Luce is here to lend you a helping hand. With our well-trained and experienced part time helpers, cleaning your home will never feel like a chore ever again.
