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Fabric Protector Tips

Why we don’t ‘Scotch-Guard’ our upholstery:

Fabric Backing
Most all fabrics today have a thin rubberized backing which holds it together. Stain repellent chemicals eat away at this backing over time, effectively dissolving the fabric. As a result, manufacturers have stopped applying any such chemical and do not recommend its use.
Warranty Voiding
Applying the chemical yourself will void the manufacturer’s warranty. (generally one full year from the date of purchase)

If you must apply such a stain repellent, follow these guidelines:

  • Test an inconspicuous area for color fastness.
  • When applying to the full piece, use a very light mist coat – DO NOT SATURATE.
  • Use such a chemical only on fabric which is easily changeable such as dining chairs. Do not use on large items like recliners and sofas.

***If you are worried about stains setting in, Earl’s recommends you choose a MICRO FIBER fabric. This fabric is made with 100% polyester and has a natural tendency to repel liquids and can be wiped down with a damp cloth or even vacuum cleaned if needed.

NEVER apply Scotch-Guard or any other stain repellent chemical to MICRO FIBER fabric!!

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How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

The first thing you should know is that leather is a live hide.

Leather also tends toward room temperature. (In the winter it will feel cold compared to your skin which is usually at about 90+ degrees)

It is important to keep leather soft and supple.

If the item is placed by a window or an air conditioning/heating vent, the hide will dry out quickly.

Every 4 to 6 months you should clean the leather well with a damp cloth to remove oils and dirt build up.

After cleaning, apply mink oil or a similar product.

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Upholstery Buying Tips

Measure all doors the item must pass through when being delivered. Most upholstery items need a 31 inch door clearance. (a 32 inch door will barely give you this clearance with jams & hardware)

If your room is large enough, consider buying two sofas instead of a sofa and love seat. You will gain seating for one extra person and the price difference is not significant.

If at all possible, try to bring samples of carpet, drapes, and wall paint to match your seating upholstery. Once you have several fabrics picked out, we advise that you bring the fabric samples home to see them under lighting in the actual room where the furniture will be placed.

Most upholstery can be special ordered with the fabric of your choice, but there are a few which cannot. Special orders generally take as long as 5-7 weeks, with a limited few available in 2-3 weeks. Custom ordered upholstery usually changes the price as well.

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Mattress Buying Tips

These are the things you should think about when buying a new mattress, in this order

  1. Comfort, Comfort, Comfort

    A person spends a third of their life sleeping. All other factors should be secondary to your personal comfort. Comfort styles range from ‘extra firm’ to ‘super plush.’ (also known as ‘pillow top’)

  2. Support, Support, Support

    The bed or frame your new mattress is on should have at minimum one leg going straight down in the center of your bed keeping the slat (metal or wood) perfectly level. Additional legs on either side of the center (left to right – under where each person sleeps) are highly recommended. The slat and legs should also be centered head to toe.

  3. Warranty

    Mattress warranties are void unless purchased as a set. (mattress and foundation) Warranties are only as good as the dealer will back them up. We back up all of our warranties in-house: you always deal directly with us, not the manufacturer, for the full extent of the warranty.

    Occasional Use (guest bedroom)
    Pro-rated or short term full coverage warranties are sufficient.
    Everyday Use
    Opt for at least a 10 year full coverage warranty. Decade or longer full term warranties generally indicate construction and quality that is designed for everyday use over a longer period of time.

    Important information about how to prevent voiding your warranty!

  4. Construction

    Foam Encased Edging
    A layer of foam aroud the edge of your mattress between the fabric and the springs. Helps keep the edge springs from stretching and poking you when sitting on the edge of the bed after extended use.
    Sinuous Coils
    Each coil is a continuous spring from head to toe. This provides proper stability and is more durable. Each coil row is tied to its neighbor for stability. The head to toe orientation reduces motion transfer from one sleep partner to another. By contrast, individual or pocketed coil systems tend to isolate and overwork certain springs. With sinuous coils, the entire spring system shares the load to support the body.
    Coil Counts
    Counts around 200-300 for a queen size usually serve better for occasional or light duty use such as in a guest room. For an everyday mattress, look for something around 500 coils. (again, queen size) Some manufacturers list a higher coil count but this usually means a smaller gauge wire was used since they have to be packed into the same amount of space. The thinner the wire used the weaker the spring and support effect will be.
    Foundations
    “Box springs” are generally no longer manufactured. The unit below the mattress is a solid metal/wood box with fabric covering. Some manufacturers use more wood, some more metal. Lo-profile foundations are usually nearly all metal to provide the same support in a smaller space. (and usually cost slightly more as a result). Some foundations are listed as “semi-flex” that utilize a wood frame foundation with slightly flexible metal risers.

Unimportant Factors

Fire Retardant Foam
Federal law made this a requirement as of July 1st, 2007.
Brand Name
You could buy whatever brand you like, but if it isn’t comfortable to sleep on or the dealer doesn’t back up the warranty, will you still be happy with your purchase?
Price
Always pick your comfort level first, then find a mattress of that comfort style in the price range you prefer or can afford. We have a wide range of price points to accommodate nearly anyone’s budget. Our experience is that choosing a mattress based on price before comfort results in multiple exchanges and unnecessary lost sleep trying to find the right model.
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General Furniture Buying Tips

Things to do before you get to the store

  • Decide what you want to buy and measure the spaces where you plan to put the furniture. Space dictates which pieces will fit and where.
  • Measure any exterior door, staircase clearances, hallways, or any other tight spaces that your new furniture might have to pass through.
  • Think about why you are buying and what purpose you are seeking to fulfill. ex: Is this something you are buying for long-term or short-term reasons? Everyday or occasional use?
  • Decide on a tentative and reasonable budget amount.
  • Think about colors and/or finish stains on existing furniture or elements of your decor that you might want to match or coordinate. Bring samples and/or pictures of your room and furniture.

Things to consider when you are in the store and shopping

  • Measure furniture pieces you are interested in to see if they will fit the scale of your room and the spaces you have intended to place them.
  • The most important features you want to keep in mind are quality and comfort. Price is an important factor as a general measure of the quality of the item.
  • Look around the showroom several times. Ask for assistance. We have a large selection of merchandise, and it is possible to overlook the perfect item.
  • If you do not see what you are looking foor, we have an extensive library of our manufacturers’ catalogues for you to browse through covering different stlyes, finishes, and price ranges. ( browse our manufacturers on the web )
  • Take your time. Furniture is an important investment, and not something most people buy very often. Make sure you are happy with what you are buying.