Category: Cleaning & Organizing

Cleaning and Organizing

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Eco-Friendly at The Roomplace

Make your choice Green!

What do you consider when you are choosing a place to buy furniture? We’re sure you probably think about the quality, cost, delivery options, financing, warranties, selection and reputation of the brand and/or furniture retailer. Is it fair to say that those are the most important factors? Maybe not. Have you ever considered not purchasing furniture from a retailer because they aren’t green, as in eco-friendly?

With the changes in the earth’s atmosphere, the concept of “going green” has gone from being a craze to being a lifestyle change for many people. Blue recycling bins can be found virtually everywhere, along with people who are willing to play their part to save our environment. However, saving our environment only begins with the small things that can fit into a can. What about larger items, such as a mattress, living room furniture or bedroom furniture? Do you think recycling furniture is eco-friendly?

How do I dispose of old furniture?

There are quite a few ways you can dispose of your old furniture to make room for a new set. If your furniture is still in decent condition, one of the best and most eco-friendly ways to get rid of it is by selling. This might take a little longer than calling a junk removal company, but it’s better for the planet. Plus, it will give you some extra money to spend on new The RoomPlace furniture. When you have furniture that’s in less-than-great condition, consider recycling. Not all furniture is easy to recycle, but you can usually find a way to do it depending on the base materials. For example, metal can be taken a scrap dealer.

How do I dispose of old mattresses?

If you’ve been browsing our selection of The RoomPlace mattresses and are wondering what to do with your current one, you have a few options. Mattresses aren’t something you usually want to sell, and depending on your state, there can even be some legal restrictions for selling a used mattress. This doesn’t mean you have to take a trip to the dump, though.

Here’s an interesting fact: While mattresses are one of the most difficult items to recycle, “95% of the material in mattresses is recyclable. Metal springs can be recycled and the steel reused. Polyurethane foam can be shredded and used for carpet pads and insulation. Wood in foundations can be processed by wood chippers used for fuel or mulch. (Source: Enviro-Recycle)” Powered with that knowledge, let us ask what do you think about recycling your old mattress. Would you go through a few extra steps to make sure your mattress is disposed of in an eco-friendly way? Or better yet, will your furniture retailer recycle your old mattress?

Do I have to call a private service to get rid of my old mattress?

You don’t always have to use a private service to dispose of your mattress. The furniture store you’re buying from will likely pick up your old mattress when they deliver your new one. However, it’s what they do with your mattress that matters.

While many companies prefer just throwing away that old mattress, The RoomPlace and our 300,000 square foot Distribution Center is playing a role in protecting our planet by being eco-friendly and recycling it. In fact, we are not only recycling mattresses, but The RoomPlace also recycles the packing materials such as the cardboard, Styrofoam and the plastic that is used to protect your bedroom or living room furniture prior to delivery.

Now, this is no small feat as the Distribution Center is responsible for supporting 21 stores within the Chicagoland and Indiana area. That means literally tons of recyclable material enter and exit those doors daily. For a better understanding of how much is recycled on a monthly basis, let’s review the numbers:

The Room Place recycles 41.835 tons of cardboard per month on average.

Fun Fact: Recycling 1 ton of cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space and 46 gallons of oil. (Source: Earth911)

Monthly The Room Place recycles 675 pounds of Styrofoam per month on average.

Fun Fact: A male Siberian Tiger (Amur Tiger) typically weighs between 450 – 675 lbs. (Source: Pittsburgh Zoo)

1,116 pounds of plastic is recycled through The Room Place’s Plastic Bailer Per Month.

Fun Fact: 1,116 pounds is equivalent to lifting 11 couches or 13 love seats from the Bravado Collection. By the way, the Bravado Living Room Collection is made of eco-leather and from an eco-friendly manufacturer.

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Cleaning & Organizing Miscellaneous

How to Disinfect Furniture and Prevent Germs

No matter how much time you spend cleaning or how meticulous you are, the probability of germs living in your furniture is high. You and your family get sick, and when that happens, the germs will be transferred into your furniture. If you’re looking for a way to reduce the chances of others getting sick, then finding a way to disinfect your furniture is in your best interest.

Disinfecting Upholstered Furniture

When it comes to disinfecting upholstered furniture, the following steps will help you achieve your endeavor.

Step 1: Vacuum

Taking a vacuum to your upholstered furniture will remove any loose dirt or debris that might be harboring bacteria or viruses. It will also get rid of any pet hair or food crumbs that might be hanging out on the surface. Make sure to remove the cushions and vacuum every nook and cranny you can find.

Step 2: Spray a Disinfectant

After you have removed all the loose debris from your upholstered furniture, you’ll then want to spray a disinfectant. You have several options when it comes to this step, including getting a disinfectant from the store or making your own.

When it comes to making your own, you might consider mixing rubbing alcohol with water in a 2-to-1 ratio. You’ll add this to a spray bottle and then hold the bottle 6 to 8 inches from the furniture and cover it with a light mist.

You can add some lemon juice or peels to your homemade disinfectant to reduce the medical or hospital smell. Before spraying this onto your furniture, test a small area to ensure that it doesn’t impact the color or damage the upholstery in any way.

It’s also possible to use this disinfectant on leather or suede couches to get rid of any germs. Again, make sure to test a small, unseen area to ensure that it doesn’t strip out the color or cause any other damage.

Step 3: Steam Clean

Steam is one of the best ways to get rid of a variety of different germs, and if you don’t want to use store-bought cleaners or make your own, this is another option. Steam can’t be used on fabrics such as velvet or others that can shrink, so make sure you know what type of upholstery you have before using steam to disinfect your furniture.

Disinfecting Hard Surfaces

If you have end tables, coffee tables, wooden arms, or other hard furniture surfaces, you’ll want to disinfect these as well to reduce the chances of people getting sick. To achieve this goal, you can make a homemade disinfectant by mixing 1 teaspoon of bleach with 1 quart of water. After mixing this in a spray bottle, you’ll apply it to the hard surfaces. The disinfectant will need to sit for at least 1 minute to ensue that harmful germs are destroyed.

You also have the option of using disinfectant products that you buy at the store. No matter which one you choose, make sure to test a small area on wooden and other surfaces to ensure that the disinfectant won’t strip off the stain or cause discoloration.

Keep Your Family Healthy

Your home is exposed to a wide range of bacteria and viruses, and if you’re looking for a way to keep your family healthy, you need to disinfect your furniture. Undertaking these steps on a regular basis is beneficial, but once your furniture gets to a certain age, it’s best to get it replaced.

When that time comes, check out what The RoomPlace has to offer. With so many different options to choose from, you’re sure to find the piece that will make your house look amazing and keep your family comfortable and healthy.

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Cleaning & Organizing DIY Home Decor Miscellaneous

How to Clean Leather Furniture

Dakota Canyon Sofa from The RoomPlace
Featured Image: Dakota Canyon Sofa from The RoomPlace
Dakota Canyon Sofa from The RoomPlace
Featured Image: Dakota Canyon Sofa from The RoomPlace

Leather is a classic upholstery material found in many homes—for good reason. It’s versatile, it can last a lifetime and it adds timeless style to any space. Despite some misconceptions, leather is actually pretty easy to care for—cleaning leather furniture is not complicated or difficult. Just remember to wipe up spills as soon as they happen, and avoid using standard cleaning supplies like detergents and upholstery cleaner, which can cause fading or discoloring.

If you’re looking for tips on how to clean and maintain your new (or old) leather furniture—like your classic leather sofa or recliner—read on.

Always refer to the furniture manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to caring for and cleaning your leather furniture, as there may be special requirements for your specific type of leather. In lieu of instructions, the safest bet is to be as gentle as possible, and avoid harsh cleaners. Even using too much water can leave stains on leather, so take extra care when cleaning to avoid worsening the problem.

Vacuum & Wipe Clean

Start by gently vacuuming the leather or wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth to remove dirt and dust. Doing this regularly will prevent buildup and should be sufficient to keep the leather looking clean from day to day. If it’s been a while since you cleaned your leather furniture, use a slightly damp cloth to remove the dirt.

Clean with Mild Soap

In the case of spills or stains, start by gently blotting the area to absorb as much of it as possible. Avoid wiping, which can spread the stain further.

To clean the area, use a small amount of water and very mild soap. Test the soap first by applying it to an inconspicuous area and letting it dry. Clean by moistening a soft cloth slightly, wiping it across the bar of soap (or using a drop of liquid soap) and gently buffing the leather clean. Use a gentle circular motion-don’t scrub too hard. Don’t soak the leather with too much water, and don’t rinse the soap when you’re done—just wipe with a dry cloth.

Florence Charcoal Power Recliner from The RoomPlace
Image: Florence Charcoal Power Recliner from The RoomPlace

Removing Tough Stains from Leather

Remember to clean up spills as quickly as possible to prevent stains from developing in the first place. Leather is generally a forgiving and durable material that can last a lifetime if cared for properly. However, despite its durability and shiny surface, leather is not stain-proof.

Start by spot-cleaning stains as described above. If that doesn’t help, try a commercial leather cleaning solution—but again, make sure to test it first to make sure it doesn’t discolor your leather.

Grease stains are sometimes best removed with a dry cloth—just gently dab and blot the area. If the grease stain persists, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the area, let it sit for a few hours, then brush it away gently. This should absorb the grease effectively. If not, many grease or oil stains will dissipate eventually into the leather, so sometimes the best solution is patience!

Set-in stains or ink stains may require help from a professional. When in doubt, defer to a professional cleaning service. They will know exactly how to clean your leather furniture so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Condition Leather Regularly

Finally, keep your furniture looking clean, shiny and healthy by using a good-quality leather conditioner or cream every 6-12 months. This process helps restore natural moisture to the leather, repair scratches and bring back that new-leather shine.

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Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips

How to Create Storage in a Small Apartment

If you live in a small apartment, you know how difficult it can be to maintain a clean and uncluttered space with limited storage options. Multi-functional furniture is your friend in this scenario. Look for pieces that can serve more than one purpose or make good use of normally unused space.

Check out some of our designers’ favorite storage ideas for small spaces:

UNDER BED STORAGE

storage ideas for small spacesThe space under beds is often just a place for dust bunnies to hide. Our number one small space storage hack is to look for a bed frame with under bed storage drawers. In small bedrooms with limited space for dressers, under bed storage can be a life changer. Whether you use them to store your off-season clothes, additional bedding, or towels, under bed storage can make a big difference in your overall storage capacity.

OVER-THE-TOILET SPACE SAVER

over the toilet cabinetIf you have a pedestal sink or a small under sink cabinet, keeping the bathroom clean and uncluttered can be near impossible. An over-the-toilet cabinet makes great use of an underused space and will help keep your beauty products, hair styling tools, and cleaning supplies off the counter.

STORAGE OTTOMAN

storage ottoman.jpgStorage ottomans are a must for small living rooms. In addition to looking great, these versatile ottomans can be used as a footrest or additional seating option and they hold a surprising amount of stuff. Remember to think about scale when choosing storage furniture for small spaces. It can be tempting to grab the biggest storage ottoman you can find but it should look balanced with the size of the room and your other furniture.

At The RoomPlace, you’ll find great space-saving storage solutions for small apartments. Browse our storage furniture online or at any of our showroom locations in Indiana and Illinois and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for even more design advice for small spaces.

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Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips Food & Recipes Home Decor

How to Make a Small Kitchen More Functional

For many, the kitchen is the most important room of the house and while a small kitchen can limit functionality, it doesn’t have to. Here are some tips for taking advantage of limited space in your kitchen:

Organize With Functionality In Mind

While this may seem obvious, prioritizing functionality when making kitchen organization decisions can make a huge difference in the way the space is used. Avoid putting small appliances in places where they may get in the way of food prep and be sure to keep space between items that might need to be used at the same time by different people.

Choose Kitchen Furniture That Complements the Space

Limited counter space can be a huge problem in small kitchens. By using different types of kitchen carts, you can maximize work space and keep your kitchen as functional as possible. Whether you choose a small kitchen cart with wheels or a 3-tier kitchen cart with multiple levels of organization, kitchen carts are a great way to utilize small spaces without losing functionality.

Portable carts

The RoomPlace has a variety of portable kitchen carts that can help keep your kitchen organized. Choose from options with counter space, cabinets, drawers, baskets or some combination of the three.

Bruce Gray Kitchen Cart

Alix Natural Kitchen Island

Vista Server Cart

 Baker’s Rack

If you’re looking for stationary kitchen furniture, a baker’s rack can provide the additional surface you need while providing storage space for everything from kitchen decorations to wine glasses and wine bottles.

Brookside Baker’s Rack

Marsala Baker’s Rack

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the latest looks, with great deals on furniture and accessories for every room in your home, you can Get It All at The RoomPlace! Shop for kitchen furniture pieces and more online at www.theroomplace.com or visit one of our furniture stores in Chicago and Indianapolis to see the hottest trends on display.

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Cleaning & Organizing

Our Favorite Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring Cleaning Hacks

It’s finally spring which means the sun is shining through your windows, giving you a better view of all the dirt that’s been building up the last 12 months.

That’s right, it’s time to give your home a deep clean.

If you’re dreading the process, we understand. Check out our favorite spring cleaning hacks that will hopefully make this year’s spring clean a whole lot easier.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

  1. Windows – Try a microfiber cloth and a little water. Chemical cleaners and paper towels leave streaks and a squeegee and bucket is a messy hassle. With a simple microfiber cloth, you’ll get clean streak-free glass in a couple of wipes.
  2. Blinds – Instead of using a duster to spread dust around, find an old sock, a latex glove, and some white vinegar. Put the glove on first, then the sock over the glove, dip in the vinegar and wipe each slat clean.
  3. Water stains – Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly on your faucets or shower head to instantly remove water stains.
  4. Couch – The vacuum is the easiest way to deep clean your furniture and get the crumbs out of all the nooks and crannies. Once you’ve got the sofa vacuumed, give each cushion a once over and spot clean any stains. Use our fabric furniture cleaning guide to identify the right cleaning products.
  5. Appliances – Stainless steel is supposed to be shiny, remember? If your appliances are covered in fingerprints or just look dull, you can bring them back to life with a mixture of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Wipe the paste on, wait 2 minutes, then wipe it away. Your appliances will shine like new.
  6. Microwave – Caked on food can be tough to remove. Try heating a small cup of vinegar and lemon juice in the microwave, then used that to wipe the grime away.
  7. Grout – A mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a stiff bristle brush are the way to win here. This one will take some time but the results are worth it!
  8. Exterior – Spring showers can wreak havoc on your home if it’s not maintained. Make sure to protect your home’s exterior by following the steps on this checklist.

We hope these spring cleaning hacks will help make your deep clean this year a little easier. If you have specific questions about how to clean or care for your furniture from The RoomPlace, give us a call at 630.783.8000.

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Cleaning & Organizing

4 Ways to Organize Your Dresser Drawers

napa-room_v1If your dresser drawers are a mess right now, you are not alone. Even for people who are neat freaks about the rest of their home, many struggle to keep their dresser organized in a way that allows them to easily find what they’re looking for.

Tip #1 – Take everything out of your chest of drawers and decide if you want keep, donate, or throw out each item. Reducing the number of items in your dresser to what you actually use and will wear will make keeping things organized much easier.

Tip #2 – Separate your clothes into categories and then designate their space in the drawers. Don’t forget to put your clothes back in their dedicated space each time you fold laundry.

Tip #3 – For deep drawer dressers, like the 10-drawer Catalina Dresser, consider adding drawer organizers. Simple dividers to separate your shorts from your pants can help keep shared drawers tidy.

Tip #4 – Fold t-shirts into a rectangle and stack them lengthwise next to each other like placing folders in a file cabinet. This will allow you easy access to all of your t-shirts instead of just ones on top.

Bonus tip – Maintain your new system! If at any time things start to get messy, start over at tip one!

If you are still struggling to make everything fit in your dresser after you’ve pared your wardrobe down, a storage bed can be a great way to add storage space in the bedroom without taking up additional floor space. Visit our Chicago or Indianapolis furniture stores to see our bedroom dressers for sale and our other storage options.

For more tips on keeping your home organized, visit our blog and follow us on Instagram  and Facebook.

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Cleaning & Organizing Home Decor Living Rooms

How to Make the Most of a Storage Ottoman

If 2017 is the year you are (finally) going to get organized, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. After all, who doesn’t want to save time, effort, money, and space? When looking for living room storage solutions, many turn to the ottoman. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of living room furniture: It can serve as coffee table, footrest, extra seating, and of course, storage. It’s a snap to stash clutter quickly in an ottoman when unexpected guests arrive. Here’s how to make the most of a storage ottoman:

 

lola-ottoman_v1-1Ottoman as coffee table: A plush ottoman is a softer option than glass or wood. If you have small children, no need to worry about kids bonking heads on sharp edges and corners. Simply place a wooden, metallic, or glass tray on top of the ottoman for drinks, remotes and magazines. At 62.5 inches in length, our Lola Platinum Storage Cocktail Ottoman offers lots of living room storage and is long enough to serve as a coffee table. It comes in faux leather with gunmetal legs for a modern touch.

 

monroe-black-otto_v1Ottoman as footrest: Create a cozy reading nook by placing an ottoman in front of a chair for more comfortable seating. Use it to stash books, knitting needles or crossword puzzles when not in use. You can push it to the side and use it as a table to hold drinks, too. Our Monroe Coal Storage Ottoman is upholstered in black faux leather and opens up for ample storage.

 

amaze-cocktailOttoman as extra seating: Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, book club or game night, you need a place to seat your guests. Ottomans are the perfect solution for stylish and comfortable extra seating options. Purchase a storage ottoman bench on casters that can easily move. This Amaze Cocktail Table with Four Accent Ottomans includes ottomans on casters that can scoot around a room and then be stowed under the table when not in use.

 

willow-cktlOttomans as decor: The ottoman can provide color and texture to a living room. Our Willow Cocktail Ottoman comes in a modern geographic design mixing yellow, gray, black and white, to offer a pop of interest that can break up a monochromatic living room furniture set. The Mars Red Ottoman is another way to add a bright burst of red.

 

The RoomPlace offers a huge variety of storage ottomans for sale in various colors, sizes and textures. Our ottomans online are frequently on special, so you’re more than likely to find the ottoman you need at the price you can afford. You can also visit one of our furniture stores in Chicago or Indiana to see how a storage ottoman can work in various rooms, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more inspiration.

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Cleaning & Organizing DIY Living Rooms

How to Clean a Microfiber Couch

Carly Microfiber Couch

Carly Microfiber CouchThere’s no doubt about it: Couches can take quite a beating. Microfiber couches are popular not only because they look nice, but also because they are durable and water-resistant. The colors tend to stay brighter, and the fine material repels water and dirt. That said, they are not stain- or watermark-resistant. To help, here are some tips on how to clean a microfiber couch.

First, check the cleaning instructions on your microfiber couch’s tag. It will tell you what kind of solution to use for cleaning your microfiber couch.

  • “W” means you should use a water-based solution
  • “S” means you should use a solvent-based solution
  • “S-W” means you can use either
  • “X” means vacuum only; no water- or solvent-based solutions.

If there is no tag at all, or an S, use rubbing alcohol or a clear alcohol such as vodka to clean stains. (But first, always test in an inconspicuous area.) Spritz on the solvent, and rub gently with a white sponge or cloth. Let it dry, and then use a soft brush on the affected area to fluff the fibers back up.

If your microfiber couch requires a water-based solution, take care: too much water can leave marks. Instead, use dishwashing soap to create soap suds and then apply the suds (not the water) in a circular motion on the stain with a white sponge. Blot with a white cloth to absorb as much water as possible.

Vacuum the couch once a week to keep dirt from setting into a stain. You can also brush the microfiber with a soft, nylon-bristled brush to keep it soft. Do not ever use bleach, acetone, carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner to clean microfiber couches.

While microfiber couches are durable, life can be messy. That’s why The RoomPlace offers a furniture-protection plan for getting the toughest stains out of the couch. Our PremiumPlus 1 Plan protects your microfiber couch from the following:

  • food or beverage stains
  • human or pet bodily fluid stains
  • grass, grease or shoe polish stains
  • ballpoint pen, ink, crayon, or cosmetic stains
  • nail polish stains
  • accidental rips, cuts, burns, or punctures

Our furniture repair and protection program is administered by Guardian Protection Products.

The good news? If you don’t use any portion of your warranty during the 5-year coverage period, you receive a full refund of the furniture protection plan price in the form of an in-store credit, valid for a period of one year from date of issuance towards your next furniture purchase of $499 or more.

Purchasing a couch is a big investment, so you want it to last a long time. A furniture protection plan can give you the peace of mind that your microfiber couch won’t be ruined by a slobbering dog, a mischievous toddler, or a clumsy guest. Shop online or visit one of our Chicagoland furniture stores to see for yourself the durability and comfort that a microfiber couch affords.

 

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Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips Entertaining Home Decor Living Rooms

Going Wireless: How to Set Up a Cable-Free Entertainment Center

wall-unit-entertainment-centerEven in this wireless age, cords are a fact of life. Nothing ruins a nice, clean room more than cords dangling from a wall-mounted TV, bungled up underneath a beautiful TV stand, or running under an area rug. With a little creativity, you can set up a cable-free entertainment center.

We love the look a flat-screen TV mounted on a wall above a TV stand, but dangling cords are a serious eyesore. For wall-mounted units, you can hide the wires by routing your wires through the wall. Many hardware stores sell DIY kits for this, or you can enlist the help of a professional. It requires drilling a hole into the drywall behind your TV and then drilling another hole behind your TV stand. You then snake the cords down through the wall, and they pop out behind your entertainment center. The RoomPlace offers TV stands with predrilled holes in the back, so you can easily run wires through to your cable box, Roku, or Apple TV.

If drilling large holes in your wall sounds far too complicated, consider a wall unit entertainment center that encloses the TV and offers plenty of enclosed shelving to hide cables.

Once you have connected all of the various cords, keep them looking tidy by using velcro or twist ties to bundle them together and keep them organized. You can also hide a power strip inside your TV stand, or even mount it to the wall behind your TV stand, so you don’t have cords sitting on the ground.

To further cut down on the cord chaos, invest in a smart HDTV that connects wirelessly to the router. That way, you can stream shows and music without the extra equipment of a Roku or Apple TV.

At The RoomPlace, we believe you can Get It All: a TV entertainment center that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Shop our entire collection of entertainment centers online at www.theroomplace.com or visit one of our showrooms in the Chicago or Indianapolis areas. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more decorating ideas.