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Table of Content
1. Introduction2. Vinyl Upholstered Furniture3. Fabric Upholstered Furniture4. Velvet Upholstered Furniture5. Natural Wood Furniture6. Natural Stone/Synthetic Stone Furniture7. Metal Furniture8. Stainless Steel Furniture9. Glass Furniture10. Sources
Restaurant furniture is a key element of the dining experience, reflecting your establishment's quality and attention to detail. Keeping your furniture in excellent condition ensures not only comfort and functionality but also makes a lasting impression on your guests. Proper maintenance protects your investment, extends the life of your furniture, and creates an inviting space that customers will want to return to. Whether it’s maintaining sturdy chairs, polished tables, or spotless upholstery, this guide provides actionable tips to keep your furniture looking and performing at its best.
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 mild soap solution to remove dirt, food particles, and residue. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners that may dry out or damage the vinyl. Products such as Weiman Leather and Vinyl Cleaner provide effective cleaning while being gentle on restaurant-grade materials.
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 could scratch or harm the surface.
Conditioning: Keep your furniture’s vinyl soft, flexible, and resistant to cracking by applying a vinyl conditioner periodically. Products like Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner are highly recommended for maintaining the quality and appearance of restaurant furniture.
UV Protection: Prolonged sunlight exposure can degrade vinyl, even in commercial-grade products. While brands like Douglass offer ultraviolet resistance up to 1,000 hours, taking proactive measures is essential. Using a high-quality UV protectant, such as 303 Aerospace Protectant, can significantly enhance your vinyl's resistance to sun damage. This product not only prevents fading and cracking but also restores the material's finish, ensuring your furniture retains its premium look even in sunny environments.
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.
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.
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 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 is a practical choice for high-traffic environments like restaurants and event spaces, designed to endure heavy use while remaining low-maintenance. Cast iron and steel furniture, though incredibly durable, require a bit more attention compared to aluminum and stainless steel. Regular cleaning, occasional polishing, and addressing chips or scratches are key to preventing rust and preserving their appearance over time. In contrast, aluminum and stainless steel are naturally resistant to rust and corrosion, making them easier to care for with simple cleaning routines.
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.
How to Care for Your Stainless Steel Furniture
How to properly Clean, Protect, & Maintain Your Glass Table
