Mid-century modern furniture is starting to become popular again, and for good reason. Its sleek, minimalist design can create a sophisticated living space that has plenty of character.
One problem with this type of furniture is how delicate it can be. The slightest bump or scrape could ruin an otherwise perfect piece you spent hours restoring! We’ve compiled 10 tips for recovering a mid century modern swivel rocker from any damage it may have sustained in the past few years.
Steps on Recovering a Mid Century Modern Swivel Rocker
Step 1. Remove any dirt or dust first with a vacuum cleaner. Never use a broom as it can cause cracks in the wood and leave behind bristles that could scratch the finish later on, so if you have pets always remember to sweep up hairballs!
Step 2. Use warm water and dish soap (a quarter cup should do) mixed into a bucket of water.
Step 3. Thoroughly scrub the surface, paying close attention to any deep scratches that may have appeared since you last restored the furniture with a polishing compound and wax or varnish. Make sure not to put too much pressure on an area as it could cause more damage in this delicate process.
Step 4. Allow time for the furniture to dry.
Step 5. Apply a fresh coat of wax or varnish, according to how you have it stored and how many layers are needed (usually two coats). Make sure the surface is evenly coated and not too thin in any areas so that scratches don’t appear more readily than they would with one layer of protection.
Step 6. Buff this fresh coat of wax or varnish with a soft, dry cloth to remove any excess and reveal the beautiful surface.
Enjoy your newly restored mid-century modern swivel rocker!
How Much Does it Cost to Reupholster a mid Century Modern Chair?
It Varies, depending on how much you want to do. Initially, it will cost about $100-150 for the set of foam and fabric (assuming that fabric is not an issue). Then there are upholstery tools which run from around $80 just for a staple gun to over $400 for a complete kit with all the bells and whistles.
Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new?
It is cheaper to reupholster a chair than it is to buy a new one.
What kind of fabric is best for upholstery?
Generally, the most appropriate fabric for upholstery is cotton or linen (linen is more durable and does not stain).
What is the most stain-resistant upholstery fabric?
The most stain resistant upholstery fabric is usually a polyester blend.
What are the disadvantages of reupholstering?
In general, there aren’t many disadvantages to re-covering an old chair in new fabric as long as you’re careful how you do it and as long as the original structure was not too damaged by improper cleaning, etc.
The only possible disadvantage would be how it looks – for example if the original fabric and colour were vintage or special in some way that you can’t find a similar replacement for now (this may not be relevant when we’re talking about mass-produced furniture).
How do I clean upholstery?
When it comes to how you clean upholstery, there are no hard and fast rules. What’s important is that whatever cleaner or detergent you use won’t damage the fabric of your chair (some people prefer using a diluted vinegar solution)
If your furniture is machine-made, then check the manual for proper cleaning instructions.
What is Grade C fabric?
Grade C is a grade of fabric that’s not suitable for upholstery. It may have small holes in it, or be too thin to cover the surface properly
What is the Most Durable Fabric for a sofa?
The most durable fabric for a sofa is polyester or an animal-free material like microfiber. If you can’t find either of those fabrics in the colour that matches your furniture design, then consider using synthetic leather as it’s both affordable and easy to clean.
What Should I do if my Upholstery has Been Soaked or Spilled on?
#1. If your upholstery has been soaked with any liquid, the water must be removed as soon as possible. Remove all cushions and wet materials from the furniture frame to dry them off in a room without carpeting where they can’t mould. Then take out an air mattress (or put down towels) for the cushions to dry on.
If water has been spilt but not soaked into the upholstery, blot it with a clean cloth before allowing it to dry.
#2. If you have more than one item of furniture that needs recovering or reupholstering, take them all apart and remove everything from the furniture frame in order so they can be processed in batches. It will save you time, and it’s less overwhelming to have all the pieces of one sofa or chair on a table together instead of spreading out over an entire room.
#3. If your fabric has been stained by anything other than water (such as ink), put paper towels under the stain before attempting any cleaning method so that they won’t be stained too.
#4. To remove any adhesive residue left by old wallpaper, go over it with a mixture of mineral spirits and water (a ratio of 50/50) on a lint-free cloth. You may have to do this several times before the paper is removed cleanly from the fabric or wood.