Restaurant Furniture Care Guide

December 6
Restaurant Furniture Care Guide

Vinyl Upholstered Furniture

The Commercial grade Vinyl (5+ Grade) used to manufacture restaurant furniture is extremely durable (up to 1,300,000 Double Rubs e.g. Colorguard), easy to clean, fluid-resistant (e.g. grease, oil, or wine), wear-resistant product that makes it very suitable for restaurant upholstery. However, even with its high durability, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to prolong its lifespan and preserve its appearance.

Daily Cleaning: Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and a mild soap solution to remove dirt and food residues. Avoid harsh cleaners that can dry out or crack the vinyl.

Stain Removal: For tough stains, use a vinyl-specific cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water applied with a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can damage the surface.

Conditioning: Apply a vinyl conditioner or protectant periodically to prevent cracking and maintain its flexibility.

Avoid Sharp Objects: Be cautious with sharp items that can puncture or tear the vinyl. Consider using slipcovers in high-traffic areas for added protection.

Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged sunlight exposure may significantly degrade the durability of vinyl. Most of commercial-grade vinyl brand like Douglass has an ultraviolet resistance of up to 1000 hours but still, it is better not to expose it.

Fabric Upholstered Furniture

Commercial-grade fabric upholstery is engineered to repel most spills and stains. However, improper cleaning techniques, prolonged exposure to dirt, and neglect can reduce its effectiveness over time. While these fabrics are highly durable, they still require routine care to maintain their stain-resistant properties and appearance.

Daily Cleaning: Simply vacuum loose dirt and debris using a soft-bristled brush attachment or a dry cloth to avoid build-up.

Spot cleaning is accomplished using a mild soap solution ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap mixed in 1 cup of warm water. Using your clean cloth, apply it to the spot gently and blot-but do not rub, which would make the spot bigger. Using another damp cloth, wipe down the area and let air dry.

Dealing with Oil-Based Stains: For grease or oil stains, use a Lift Off Grease & Oil Stain Remover or a similar upholstery-safe cleaner. Before application, do a test in the hidden area to make sure it works correctly with the type of fabric.

Deep Clean: Clean fabric periodically, using a water-based upholstery cleaner, following the specific manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to avoid soaking of fabric as this can encourage water marks and/or damage padding.

Protective Measures: Apply a fabric protector like Scotchgard after deep cleaning to shield the material from future stains. Reapply every six months or as needed.

Avoiding Damage: Never use bleach, harsh chemicals, or abrasive brushes that can weaken fibers or damage the upholstery's appearance.

Additional Tips: 

  • Rinse all cleaned areas thoroughly to remove soap or cleaner residue, as buildup can attract more dirt over time.
  • Clean up spills immediately to prevent permanent staining since some materials tend to absorb liquid fast.

Velvet Upholstered Furniture

Daily Brushing: Gently brush the velvet with a soft upholstery brush to maintain the pile’s direction and prevent flattening.

Flattened Areas: Use a handheld steamer to revive crushed pile. Hold the steamer 3–6 inches away and brush in the direction of the pile while it’s still damp.

Spot Cleaning: Blot stains gently in the direction of the pile. Avoid rubbing to prevent texture damage or spreading the stain.

Avoid Heat: Never iron velvet directly; steam is the preferred method for restoring texture.

Natural Wood Furniture

Wood furniture like restaurant table tops, wood tables and stools, and wooden parts of booths will scratch, water stain, and fade, especially if placed in direct sunlight. Unfinished or poorly sealed woods will warp or crack with too much humidity or aridness.

Regular Cleaning: Clean with a damp cloth using a light wood cleaner such as Murphy's Oil Soap. Avoid excess water to prevent warping. Immediately dry with a soft cloth.

Protect the Finish: Apply a wood conditioner, like Howard Feed-N-Wax monthly, to feed the wood and maintain its finish. In high-traffic areas, apply a protective polish every two weeks, such as Minwax Furniture Polish.

Avoid Damage: Use coasters for glasses to prevent water rings; place felt pads on the bottom of items that move around to prevent scratches.

Natural Stone/Synthetic Stone Furniture

Natural stone is porous, and subject to staining and etching by acidic substances. Natural and synthetic stones will scratch or chip due to heavy objects or improper cleaning.

Daily Maintenance: Clean with a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner like Granite Gold Daily Cleaner to remove surface dirt without harming the stone.

Sealing: Apply a stone sealer such as Tuff Duck Stone Sealer every 6–12 months for natural stone to protect against stains and etching. Synthetic stone generally doesn't require sealing but can benefit from gentle polish like Weiman Granite Polish every few months for added shine.

Avoid Scratches: Use placemats and avoid dragging heavy items across the surface to maintain their smooth finish. Especially with items made of stone, hardened glass, or diamonds, they can easily leave scratches because of their higher hardness scale.

Metal Furniture

Most restaurant metal furniture is manufactured or treated for resistance against rust and corrosion through such protective coatings/finishes as powder coating, lacquer, or stainless steel treatments. Yet, over time, extended use can result in dulled or lost shine or other minor color changes, especially from spills, grease, or even cleaning agents.

Daily Cleaning: Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust, smudges, and spills. For tougher spots, use a mild cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. Dry immediately to maintain shine and avoid water marks.

Shine and Color Care: Apply a protective polish such as Turtle Wax Metallic Wax every 2-3 months to maintain the finish and bring back the shine. This will also help in minimizing color fade with time.

Rust Issues: Though rare, minor scratches or chips in the finish should be touched up with matching metal-safe paint or lacquer, such as Rust-Oleum Touch-Up Spray, to prevent long-term wear.

Glass Furniture

How to properly Clean, Protect, & Maintain Your Glass Table

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