Care & Maintenance

A traditionally made piece of furniture, properly cared for, will last a lifetime. The materials used in Black Barn furniture — solid beech frames, coil springs, curled hair, cotton felt — are inherently durable and designed for daily use over decades. What they ask in return is occasional attention and a little common sense.

This page covers the most important aspects of caring for your piece over time.

Day to Day

Cushions

Loose cushions — seat cushions and back cushions filled with feather and down — should be plumped daily. Pick up each cushion, hold it at two corners, and beat the two long edges together two or three times to redistribute the fill. Then place it back, seam-side down, and smooth the top. This takes ten seconds per cushion and will keep the filling evenly distributed and the cushion looking its best.

Where possible, rotate cushions periodically — turning them end-to-end and alternating which seats are used most will extend the life of both the filling and the cover fabric.

Fixed Upholstery

The back, arms, and any fixed seat areas can be lightly brushed with a soft upholstery brush to remove dust and keep the pile or weave lying in the correct direction. For velvet, always brush in the direction of the pile.

Cleaning

Fabric covers

Most upholstery fabric can be spot-cleaned with a clean, dry white cloth and a small amount of proprietary upholstery cleaner. Always test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first — the inside face of a back leg panel is usually suitable. Work from the outside of the mark inward to avoid spreading it, and blot rather than rub.

Do not wet-clean fixed upholstery. Water that penetrates the cover can cause the filling to shift and, in extreme cases, can affect the hessian and webbing below. For significant soiling, contact us — we can advise on specialist cleaning services familiar with traditionally upholstered pieces.

Loose cushion covers

Cushion covers made with a zip fastening can usually be removed for dry cleaning. Check the fabric care label on the inside seam before doing so — most upholstery-weight fabrics are dry clean only. Do not machine wash upholstery covers unless the fabric is specifically rated for it, as this can cause shrinkage that makes the cover impossible to replace on the pad.

Hair squabs

Hair squab covers can be removed and dry cleaned independently of the pad. The pad itself can be beaten outdoors to remove dust. If a squab becomes damp — from a spill or outdoor use — remove the cover, stand the pad on its edge in a warm room, and allow it to dry completely before replacing the cover. Do not apply direct heat.

The Frame & Springs

A well-made frame and properly lashed spring system should require no maintenance for many years. If you notice any of the following, contact us:

A creaking or clicking sound when sitting — this usually indicates a loose spring lashing or a tack working free, both of which are straightforward to repair.
A pronounced dip or unevenness in one area of the seat — this can indicate a broken spring or a collapsed web, both repairable without recovering the piece.
A loose joint in the frame — identifiable if the piece rocks on a flat floor or if a leg moves relative to the frame. This is best addressed promptly before the joint deteriorates further.

None of these are causes for alarm — they are normal events in the life of a well-used piece and are all repairable. The advantage of traditional construction is that every element can be accessed and fixed independently.

Sunlight & Heat

Direct, sustained sunlight will fade most fabric over time. Where possible, position pieces away from south-facing windows, or use curtains or blinds during the brightest hours of the day. Fade is usually even across a piece if light is consistent, but uneven fade — from a piece being partially in shadow — is much more noticeable and harder to address.

Keep upholstered furniture away from direct heat sources — radiators, log burners, and underfloor heating vents. Sustained heat dries out leather and can cause fabric to become brittle over time. It can also affect the glue in the frame joints.

Reupholstery

One of the most significant advantages of a traditionally made piece is that it can be reupholstered when the cover reaches the end of its life. The frame and the spring system — the parts that are expensive and time-consuming to make — will almost certainly still be in good condition. Reupholstering means stripping back to the frame, refreshing the filling where needed, and applying a new cover.

The cost of reupholstering a Black Barn piece is typically 50–70% of the original price, depending on the piece and the fabric chosen. It gives a piece a complete new life and is, in most cases, both the economically and environmentally sensible choice over buying new.

We reupholster our own pieces and are happy to discuss this at any time. Contact us at hello@blackbarnsofas.com or call 01672 600006.

Any Questions

If you have a specific question about your piece that is not covered here, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would always rather advise early than have a small issue become a larger one.

01672 600006 · hello@blackbarnsofas.com