Caring for Leatherette, Fabric and Wooden Furniture Through the Monsoon

Before the rains: prepare in May

• Look for damp patches or seepage on the walls, and fix leaking windows before June
• Move sofas, beds and wardrobes a few inches away from outer walls
• Polish or wax wooden furniture, so that the finish resists moisture
• Clean upholstery thoroughly while it can still dry quickly
• Keep silica gel sachets ready for drawers, wardrobes and storage beds
• Bring cane and wooden furniture in from open balconies

Leatherette

Leatherette copes with humidity better than most fabrics, because it does not absorb moisture. Constant heat and damp are still hard on its surface coating.

• Wipe it with a soft cloth dampened in plain water, then dry it
• Avoid harsh cleaners, solvents and oil-based polishes
• Keep it out of strong sun, especially in the hot weeks before the monsoon
• Do not leave wet clothes, towels or bags on it

Wipe-clean pieces in our range include the Ashton Channel Tufted Sofa at ₹49,000, the Nordica Curved Recliner at ₹38,000 and the Crimson Premiere Theatre Seat at ₹22,000.

Leather

Genuine leather absorbs some moisture, and in a closed, humid room it can develop white or green spots of mould.

• Keep the room aired, and run the fan on humid days
• Dust with a dry cloth, and wipe away any mould spots promptly with a clean, dry cloth
• Condition the leather once or twice a year, ideally after the monsoon
• Never cover a leather sofa with plastic during the rains, as it traps moisture underneath

Our leather sofas, the Sienna Tufted Leather Sofa at ₹2,25,000 and the Onyx Leather Chesterfield at ₹2,20,000, need this care most from June to September.

Fabric, velvet and bouclé

Fabric absorbs humidity, which is why a sofa can smell musty by August. Regular airing and cleaning keep it fresh.

• Vacuum weekly with a brush attachment, including under the cushions
• On dry days, open the windows and run a fan to move air through the room
• Blot spills at once and dry the patch with a fan; never use a heater or an iron on upholstery
• Use washable throws on the most used seats during the monsoon months
• Dry laundry away from the sofa, since clothes drying indoors raise the humidity of a room

Velvet, such as the Emerald Velvet Loveseat at ₹38,000, needs a light brush every few weeks to keep the pile even. Bouclé, as on the Regent High-Back Armchair at ₹28,000, can snag, so trim a pulled loop rather than pulling it further. Plush fabric, such as that of the Havenstone Plush Recliner at ₹28,000, responds well to regular vacuuming with a brush attachment.

Wood and engineered wood

Solid wood swells in humid air, so drawers and doors may stick in July and loosen again in the dry months.

• Rub candle wax on sticking drawer runners rather than planing the wood
• Use coasters, and wipe away spills and the condensation from cold glasses at once
• After mopping, wipe furniture legs dry so that water does not sit against the wood

Engineered wood, the plywood, MDF or particle board used in many wardrobes and units, is damaged when water reaches an unsealed edge, which swells and does not recover.

• Wipe spills along edges immediately
• Keep wardrobes on outer walls slightly away from the wall, and add silica gel inside
• Leave wardrobe doors open for an hour on dry, sunny days

Our guide to solid wood and engineered wood explains which suits each room.

Cane, chrome and metal finishes

• Cane softens and can sag when it stays damp. Keep cane pieces, such as the Artisan Woven Bistro Chair at ₹3,800, in an airy spot under cover, and wipe them with a barely damp cloth.
• Chrome gathers water spots and can rust where the plating is scratched. Wipe chrome columns and bases, such as that of the Metropolitan Round Bar Table at ₹5,500, with a dry cloth.
• Gold-finish legs, as on the Milano Luxe Lounge Set at ₹1,10,000, should be wiped dry with a soft cloth and never scrubbed.

Flats and independent houses

In a flat, rain enters through balcony doors and windows during heavy showers, and top-floor flats may see seepage from the terrace. Keep upholstered pieces back from balcony doors, and check walls shared with bathrooms for damp.

In an independent house, ground-floor rooms and outer walls collect the most damp. Raised legs help here: air moves under a sofa on legs, and the floor beneath it can be mopped and dried. Check under beds and in lofts every few weeks.

After the rains: checks for October

• Air upholstery and rugs in the shade on the first dry, sunny days, since long hours of strong sun fade colours
• Look behind and under furniture for mould, and clean any patches before they spread
• Check wooden furniture for termite tracks, the thin mud tubes along walls and legs
• Tighten screws and joints that the humidity has loosened
• Condition leather and polish wood before the dry season

Choosing furniture that copes with the monsoon

If you are buying new furniture, three choices help through the rains: wipe-clean leatherette for the most used seats, sofas raised on legs, and plywood rather than particle board near water. Our guide to sofa prices by budget compares the materials at every price.

We deliver across Belagavi city with free fitting at home, and to nearby towns such as Khanapur, Chandgad and Goa. If your delivery falls on a rainy day, keep a dry, covered spot ready near the entrance where the furniture can be unwrapped.

A little care through the monsoon keeps furniture looking and smelling fresh for years. If you are choosing new pieces, our team can explain how each material behaves in Belagavi's climate at our showroom on Civil Hospital Road, open every day from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm.

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