Nobody likes to clean, but it's a fact of life that things run smoother when given proper maintenance. We take our cars in for checkups, our bodies are given regular physicals, our mouths get routine cleanings, and our computers require defragmenting from time to time. Effort has to be put in before things break to keep them running smoothly. Furniture cleaning, like all other maintenance, is necessary to keep nasty things from happening. The proper cleaning of furniture can prevent mold and allergy attacks.

As anyone who suffers from them can tell you, allergies are no fun. Airborne allergens (such as pet dander or hair, dust, pollen, and other bacteria) can be difficult to avoid, but routine cleaning of your furniture can actually prevent allergy attacks. Your favorite old chair probably accumulates more dust and other airborne particles than you realize, and giving it a good vacuuming, or dusting can cut down your chances of a full blown allergy attack by a tremendous degree.

If your furniture is painted, you can prevent mold from growing by simply cleaning it once a week with a dampened cloth. Most accumulated dust and other airborne particles will be taken care of at the same time, which will help prevent allergy attacks, as well. The effort put into briefly wiping down each piece of furniture will be well rewarded by having less work to do later, should a problem develop, as well as preventing allergies you, a spouse, a child, or other family member may have grow more serious.

Did you know that allergies can actually develop at any point in life, simply by having exposure to certain elements? Preventing mold and other potentially dangerous filth from developing can be a long-term investment in the health and well being of your home.

Wood furniture requires a lint-free cloth to apply polish to it on a weekly basis. This cloth can be used to dust prior to the polish application. Dust is especially attracted to wood surfaces, and dust allergies have been known to worsen later in life. It's best to get yourself into the habit of regularly cleaning now so you don't end up with an unhappy surprise later.

Leather furniture should be cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge, and dusted regularly. Leather is susceptible to mold and should be cleaned on a bi-weekly basis, and kept away from heat. If your leather cracks, lots of nasty mold can grow inside those cracks, so it's double important to keep your leather furniture well taken care of.

If any of your furniture has cushions that are removable, be sure to clean them separately, and routinely flip them so they wear evenly. Failure to remove cushions during furniture cleaning can result in an insufficient cleaning session where dirt, dust, mold, hair, and other nasty things can linger in the places you didn't reach. A little thoroughness goes a long way to prevent mold.

Some people don't believe outdoor furniture requires the same level of cleanliness that their indoor furniture does, but nothing could be further from the truth. Because your outdoor furniture is exposed to the elements (and anything else that wanders into your yard) it's doubly important you clean it as often as you can to prevent allergy attacks. Remember, if you're allergic to cat hair, it's fairly easy to keep cats out of your house, but a stray might enjoy the occasional nap on your comfy patio set.

Most outdoor furniture is designed for wiping clean with a warm sponge or cloth, but in some cases, using your outdoor hose might be appropriate to remove dirt.

The most important thing to remember is that the health and well being of you and your family is worth an extra hour every week spent taking preventative measures on your furniture. Actually de-molding grandma's antique armoire will take a great deal longer.