Beautiful, elegant leather furniture can decorate and add solidity to any interior. It perfectly complements the office, living room, and leather chairs perfectly dilute the interior of the kitchen. Cleaning leather furniture is a must if you decide to buy such furniture. In order not to damage the structure of the material during cleaning, it is worth knowing the basic rules of work with leather, choose the right tools, as well as take into account possible factors of damage.

Rules for working with leather

Sofas and chairs made of leather not only have an attractive appearance, but have a lot of other advantages. They are durable, hard-wearing, unaffected by moisture. Pleasant aroma of leather gently fills the room where the product is installed. Modern manufacturers use special impregnations in the workshops, not allowing the furniture to fail quickly. Depending on the raw material from which the furniture is made, it will matter the selection of cleaning products and the choice of cleaning techniques for products.

Referring to the instructions that come with the furniture, you can learn about the composition of the material, as well as the type of impregnation, located on the surface. This information will help in the future not to spoil the coating and perform cleaning correctly at home. Before you perform the cleaning of the surface, it is important to know the rules of working with leather. They also include the specific conditions of the models, daily care of the furniture. If you perform a daily light cleaning, it will take less time for the general treatment:

1. When cleaning furniture at home, you should not rub the surface of sofas and armchairs heavily every day. Such care is excessive and will lead to scuffing of the covering, which will cause unsightly light stains on the surface;
2. Careful cleaning of seams. The joints and seams of the material often form deep crevices. In them visibly settles dust and accumulates dirt. It is best to vacuum these areas once a week with a narrow slot nozzle;
3. Wiping. It is advisable to wipe the surface of the skin with a soft, damp cloth. After that, it is advisable to wipe the surface dry;
4. Using special products, folk methods. There are developed for the care of leather products cleaning compositions – they are of several kinds and are designed for different stages of processing. In addition, it is recommended to use orange peel to mask scuffs. This should be done only after information about the real leather on the furniture has been obtained.

Clean synthetic materials, such as leatherette, should be cleaned with other products. They are more gentle than compositions for leather.

Materials and tools needed

The first thing to do before you start cleaning is to find out what material is to be worked with. Study the label and find out if the manufacturer allows cleaning procedures, what recommendations he makes in this regard.

Some types of leather cannot be cleaned with water. It is worth contacting professionals to work with such furniture.

If when buying furniture, the manufacturer offers to buy special cleaning products designed specifically for this furniture – it is better to choose them, because the manufacturer knows exactly what is necessary for the products. To work on cleaning sofas and armchairs made of leather, you will need the following tools:

• Vacuum cleaner equipped with a soft brush head;
• A quality liquid soap with a mild composition;
• Purified water (distilled water can be used);
• Several containers of water – to rinse the rags;
• Four scraps of soft cloth, such as viscose;
• Leather conditioner or other types of products used for this furniture: rinses, shampoos, polishes or balms.

In addition to the tools and materials listed above, special components may be needed. For example, if you need to clean the sofa from mold stains – you need alcohol; if the surface is stuck to chewing gum – you need ice in bags. Note: to remove grease stains from leather, you do not need to use water. They are removed with a simple dry napkin.

How to properly clean

The method of cleaning furniture will be different if it is upholstered with leather of different colors. For example, to clean white furniture, it is recommended to replace ordinary water with milk – this natural component will not allow the leather to darken and will gently and gently clean the upholstery.

The entire procedure for cleaning leather furniture consists of several stages:

• Preparation;
• The cleaning process;
• Post-treatment.

Let’s consider each phase separately, highlighting the main nuances of the work.

Preparation

Before proceeding to the main phase of cleaning leather sofas, chairs and armchairs, their preparation. Professional craftsmen use specialized tools and materials for this purpose. For cleaning with your own hands at home you will need a vacuum cleaner. He will help to remove the top layer of dirt to access the surface and treat it with compositions. Stages of work:

1. Fix the narrow slot nozzle on the device and turn it on;
2. Vacuum the entire surface of the furniture where there are seams and joints. Try to reach the hardest to reach corners. If necessary, recline your sofa or recline an armchair;
3. Cleaning leather furniture implies preliminary preparation of the entire plane of sofas. Take the second type of nozzle vacuum cleaner – the one that is similar to the main brush, but has a small size. On its surface, there are soft fluffs, which do not damage the coating. Using this nozzle, clean the entire plane of sofas and chairs: seats, backs, sides;
4. After the furniture is prepared for further treatment, you need to decide: will be made routine cleaning or cleaning is dedicated to the removal of different types of stains. For standard cleaning will require materials and tools listed above, for specialized – other compositions.

At the output after cleaning with a vacuum cleaner should get a clean surface, without impurities of dust and dirt.

Cleaning process

For normal cleaning, you should use the following method: mix a few drops of liquid soap with 0.5 liters of water until foam forms in a container. Cleaning begins with an inconspicuous area, where it is necessary to try the resulting product. The rag is dipped in the solution with soap, wipe the furniture. Then take the second rag, dipped in a container with clean water, remove the remnants of soap. After that, take a dry clean rag and completely removed traces of dirt, soap and water.

Before cleaning leather furniture at home from other types of dirt use the same preparation. Methods of cleaning will be applied with other means. 

Home remedies for stain cleaning:

• Traces of felt-tip pens can be removed with hairspray. On the soiled surface you need to spray hairspray, then wipe the remains with a dry rag – there will be no trace of felt-tip pens.
• Ink stains can be removed with isopropyl alcohol. Moisten a cotton pad with alcohol, gently wipe the damaged piece of furniture.
• Starch or talcum powder will get rid of grease stains. Sprinkle the white substance on the furniture surface where the stain is located for 4 hours. After the time has elapsed, wipe off the residue with a dry cloth.
• Traces of blood can be washed off with ordinary soap and water. If the stain is long dry, use cool water and soap. If you have a fresh blood stain, use plain water.
• Remove pigmented paint stains with purified gasoline. It is recommended to use the product carefully – first test its action on an inconspicuous area. Do not rub the skin strongly, it’s better to gently blot the area with paint.

After performing a complete cleaning of leather furniture, you need to proceed to its polishing and other methods of post-treatment – this procedure gives sofas and chairs shine and creates a protective layer.

Post-treatment

After the work of home cleaning of leather furniture is over, it is necessary to proceed to the post-treatment of the material. It involves polishing the surface, making it shiny, soft. You can do this with an ordinary rag, as well as using a variety of products for leather.

To carry out the procedure yourself, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the steps step by step:

1. A dry cloth should be wiped the entire perimeter of the leather sofa or chair. It is best to start with the seats where the person spends the most time. It is necessary to polish the leather carefully, but it is not necessary to apply a lot of force – there may be scuffs;
2. Acquired care product is applied to a soft cloth and gently rub it into the structure of the surface. It is important to make sure that the composition does not leave traces on the surface of the furniture, otherwise stains will be visible.

Choosing a polishing composition, pay attention to the conditioners for leather. They have not only protective properties, but also give a beautiful appearance and provide the material with breathability. Particular attention should be paid to the places of seams and joints, where the manufacturers have made tucked material. It is best to read the instructions before using the purchased product.

Side effects and defects

A new leather sofa over time can fall into disrepair if its surface is quickly torn. To avoid further deterioration of the surface, it is imperative to patch the hole before cleaning the furniture. For such a case, it is worth contacting a salon or repair shop.

Below are a few recommendations for taking care of furniture that has defects on the surface:

1. Never use baby wet wipes to remove stains of various kinds. The use of such means will lead to damage to the coating, but do not despair – it can be restored. To do this, special paint for leather is sold in stores. It is diluted according to the instructions and gently masks the defect;
2. If after every cleaning you find that the skin has lost its elasticity, you can fix it with a folk remedy: 1 part vinegar, add 2 parts linseed oil. The resulting mixture should be rubbed into the skin in a circular motion, and then polish with a dry rag.

If even after cleaning at home the furniture has lost its attractiveness, this is a reason to turn to professional dry-cleaning. It is better to do it twice a year. Masters use special impregnations that do not allow the leather to crack and dry. It retains its external characteristics for a long time.

During the use of upholstered leather furniture, do not allow its frequent contact with animals and tufted plaids, blankets. Such textiles clog the pores of the structure of the leather, creates particles of debris on the seams, as a result – they are difficult to remove from the surface. Weekly wet cleaning will facilitate the general cleaning of leather furniture.

For most people, far from the professional world of design, vintage and antique furniture are synonymous words. It is something bright and clean from our childhood, the time of our parents and grandparents. Things that evoke nostalgia. At the same time, there is a significant difference between the antique furniture and vintage style.

What is the fundamental difference between antique furniture and vintage

If in a nutshell, it’s in the time frame. Although in both styles we surround ourselves with elements of the past in order to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a bygone era, but in the case of antique furniture it is the stylistic features, form and color scheme typical of the 50s-80s of the 20th century.

Vintage can cover the whole of the last century. Including such significant for the development of fashion and design epochs as the twenties of the 20th century and the pre-war period. But we can also call things from the 50s and 60s vintage. Items that are more than a century old are called antiques.

However, for each area of fashion, design and decor there are nuances. For example, clothing older than 50 years is already considered antique, and younger than 15 years – modern. Those made from 1915 to 50-60s are considered vintage. And in different countries the time range can be different.

Age is not the main thing!

Can we call antique furniture and vintage the style of the 90s? From that time many people for sure have such archaic things as cassette players and tape recorders, radios, CRTs, VCRs, push-button phones, tableware, souvenirs.

If we approach formally, vintage is defined as objects and style over 30 and under 100 years old. However, depending on the application, the upper limit may be 20 or 40 years. Antique furniture style formally has no clear time limit. In this case, they should have a bright distinguishing features of the historical period, which they represent.

That is, age is not the main criterion. Things can be vintage up to the end of the twentieth century, if they are recognizable and stand out against the background of contemporary fashion. And at the same time “gray” impersonal items have no historical and artistic value, no matter how old they are.

Materials used

The term “vintage” is borrowed from the world of winemaking, where so called aged noble wines. As a rule, these are objects made of wood, stone, natural textiles, cane, rattan, with brass or bronze as accessories. When recreating antique furniture style in interior design, natural materials are also used.

On the other hand, the antique furniture style has its roots in the era of popularized space travel and the boom of the chemical industry. In the ’50s and ’70s, plastic, textiles made of synthetic fibers and synthetic leather were widely used. That is, synthetics in a certain combination is not only allowed, but also welcomed.

In contrast to the charm full of vintage items with a clear imprint of antiquity and traces of the impact of time, antique furniture-style likes bold, catchy, bright, lacquered, smooth surfaces.

A world of color

The difference between the two styles is clearly visible in the color scheme. Vintage tends toward old-fashioned elegance, romantic charm, restraint, creating peace of mind and harmony. The most suitable colors are white, beige, sandy, gray-blue, pale pink, cream and other pastel tones.

Antique furniture-style is much more straightforward. He “likes” provocative, bold and vivid colors. Since the early 50s previously unpopular brown, green, orange, ochre-yellow tones were actively used. In the 60s the color scheme became quite screaming. Bubble-gum style came into vogue.

Developing at that time aesthetics of hippie movement and dissemination of Andy Warhol’s art direction, sharp contrasts and strong colors preferred by pop art played their role in this.

Shape and Style

Vintage is associated with carved frames, wooden ceiling beams, antique mirrors, glass or porcelain vases, lace tablecloths, small decorative statuettes.

Priority is given to functionality, not fashion. Minimalism is not in vogue. Chic big curtains, a bed with a canopy, a fur rug in front of the fireplace are typical and appropriate.

For antique furniture, style is important. As the historical period coincided with the technological revolution, industrialism, minimalism, futuristic and space themes are in fashion.

Motifs

Patterns of home textiles and wallpaper are strictly separated in these two directions, reminiscent of past trends. Antique furniture “prefers” geometric shapes, and vintage is associated with plant and floral motifs.

Designers increasingly offer owners to buy a comfortable chaise lounge chair for home, although for many such furniture is more associated with dacha, but they are wrong. Produced such furniture in a variety of design, is appropriate as in a modern office, living room, nursery, and on the loggia, balcony. Decorated in different styles, made by the latest technology chairs look original.

Basic characteristics

Chaise in the form of an armchair refers to the furniture, which has an easily adjustable back. It is possible to lower the back to a half reclining or lying position. The height of the backrest can be anything, but more often it is high enough for a seated person to have a base under the head. That is why the chair is so popular among dacha owners.

The structural solution is based on:

• a rigid body;
• soft upholstery, or trim of natural, artificial or other material.

The design solution of such that successfully such furniture is suitable for carrying newborns and children under a year. Children’s chairs lounger easily fits in the car, it can be installed in any room, to use for transportation. But you can not use a child’s lounge chair as a car seat.

Engineers, technologists develop different models. The basis of all lounger chairs is a rigid frame, a comfortable seat. If a few years ago the word lounger meant – a device for relaxing on the beach, but now it is a multifunctional furniture.

Advantages and disadvantages

Products have pros and cons. There are disadvantages in chaise lounge chairs made of plastic. They are as follows:

• plastic is a man-made material, which emits toxic substances when heated;
• subjected to mechanical stresses, scratches quickly appear, burst from strong impacts;
• is exposed to sunlight and low temperatures;
• difficult to combine with different styles in the interior.

But if you use the furniture correctly, according to the instructions, it will last a long time. Many of the advantages of such furniture. Products made of plastic have the following advantages:

• low cost, the furniture is budgetary;
• shelf life is unlimited, the furniture is durable;
• plastic does not corrode, does not deform under temperature changes;
• practical furniture, care does not take much time, it is enough to wipe with a damp cloth;
• light weight, easy to transport, carry from place to place;
• the variety of shapes, colors, so you can always choose for each home, site.

But in addition to plastic, chaise lounge chairs come in other types.

Types of chaise lounge chair

If the first models were designed as cheap dacha furniture, but now come in different versions, finished with different materials.

Mainly there are such types of armchairs:

• for sitting position;
• for a reclining position of the body;
• for a half-lying position of the body.

The most popular types are:

• for newborns and older children;
• rocking and motionless;
• for giving.

For newborns

For the modern mother, the chaise lounge for newborns is a lifesaver. Many parents often have to travel to different places with a baby in their arms. It is especially difficult for mothers, and having such a device, there is an opportunity to solve all problems. Engineers have specifically designed small chairs for babies. In these lounge chairs a baby can play, sleep. The backrest is easily lowered and raised. The chair becomes a crib or rocking chair in minutes.

Features of children’s models:

• are made of quality materials;
• special design is made in such a way that makes the chair completely safe;
• all the trim is made of environmentally friendly materials;
• colors are chosen based on age features, for boys – cool colors, for girls – warm.

Demand chairs rocking chairs. They are specifically designed for babies under a year. The main objective of these models:

• Promote physical development of the baby.
• With their help, the vestibular apparatus is well trained.

Modern models are made so that they can be moved in different directions. Pediatricians do not recommend putting the baby in a lounge chair until the muscles in the neck strengthen.

Models for babies are calculated in detail, so when you set the chair in the lying position will provide a comfortable place to sleep. A big plus is the built-in special liner, its role does not allow the child’s fragile spine overloaded.

Rocking chairs are designed for newborns, with age they will be bored to lie down and rock, they will need to move, sit, learn the world. For older children we need more comfortable models. Specialists have taken into account the needs of parents and children. They offer chairs that can be fixed in different positions: sitting, semi-reclining.

The advantages of children’s chaise lounges are:

• mobility;
• comfort;
• high strength;
• aesthetics;
• eco-friendliness.

Each product has its own disadvantages. These models also have disadvantages, but they are insignificant. These are such as:

• high cost;
• are designed for a certain age, to use for a long time will not work.

But for these disadvantages are valid arguments:

• for moms leading an active lifestyle this accessory is necessary, thanks to him and things will be done and the child is safe, in a comfortable position;
• The product is of high quality, made by the latest technology, so after the baby will grow out of this model, the chair can always be given to another child or sell it again.

For armchairs designed for infants, that is, for the smallest children made a special anatomical seat, in which the child will be comfortable to sleep, as well as to entertain. Models designed for older children, equipped with additional features. They are built vibrating mechanisms, music blocks. Attractive and interesting chairs for children are models with built-in or attached bright toys.

Rocking and stationary

No mother will remain indifferent to the models that allow you to rock the baby at a distance. Such chairs are made using innovative technology. They work with a remote control. It is possible to set the intensity of rocking.

New models are very comfortable, but most moms prefer automatic chairs. Parents who have purchased such models claim that the child falls asleep in them very well.

Fixed models are made so that the child is in a rigid frame, could move his arms and legs, and the chair at this time did not change its shape. That is, during the movement of any part of the structure should not change its position. That is why a rigid frame was made. The backrest and seat have a common design. Changing the position by special fasteners made on the metal frame at the back. The design is reliable, the baby is ensured complete safety, reliability.

Sunbeds for villas

Dacha is designed for a good and useful pastime, and the quality of rest will depend on what furniture is purchased. There is no better place to relax than near a small pond or on a sunny terrace. You can sit comfortably in these places on the comfortable chaise lounges.

Technologists have developed different models of lounge chairs. They can be made of:

• plastic;
• wood;
• metal.

Chairs can be:

• made in the form of cot;
• in the form of rocking chairs;
• with fully reclining backrest;
• in the form of a recliner.

The main function of furniture for dacha is to provide a comfortable rest. The latest models are such that they can serve not only as a cot in the cottage, but also as a decorative element. Used in the design of such materials as wood, bamboo, straw make the chairs very refined, ornate.

There are budget and expensive models. Cheap plastic chairs are made with special seats. Their advantage is that there is no need to use an additional mat or mattress for comfort. The soft seat is already attached to the chair. It is aesthetic, made of practical material.

Rules for selecting a children’s model

There are more and more models of children’s chairs on the market every day. Parents are often lost and do not know how to choose the right one among the huge variety. Professionals, medical professionals advise to pay attention to the following:

• first of all, you need to look at the size of the seat;
• It is important that the tilt of the back can be adjusted;
• the chaise should be completely safe, pay attention to the safety straps, their quality;
• materials must be environmentally friendly and comply with all standards and requirements;
• design features, immediately take into account how you plan to use the chair, because for indoor use only, you will need a simpler version;
• equipment with toys is important, if the models have toys, then the baby will be more interesting;
• musical devices, they will allow you to distract, soothe the baby;
• Rocking function will help to lull the baby, put him to sleep;
• additional features, some models have the ability to protect your baby from the sun, rain, wind;
• care feature – you should consider that the chair will get dirty, so it is important to clean it easily. It is good if you can remove the covers, wash, remove dirt;
• cost – there are different models, different equipment chairs, so you can choose according to your financial capabilities will not be difficult.

It is proven that the seats are not only safe, but also useful and reliable. Thanks to the chair the child quickly calms down, falls asleep well. All the developmental accessories are chosen correctly, taking into account age. Built-in toys not only distract the baby, but also develop. Music chosen is calm, pleasant to the child’s perception.

Doctors recommend to pay attention to the swing when buying. Seat must be comfortable and safe. Improper seating will affect the future development of the muscles of the back and neck. It is important to choose the right models for children in the form of swings. They should be age-appropriate and of the right size. A child in them should be comfortable and safe. Not only are chaise lounges good as accessories for children, they are also necessary for home, cottage.

Precautions

No matter how high quality and safe the chaise lounge chairs are, you should always follow the rules of safety. This is especially true for children’s models:

• the child must always be strapped in with the safety belts;
• Never leave your baby unsupervised in the lounge chair even if he is wearing the harness;
• never place the lounge chair with your baby on a surface, even if it is a low chair. It is allowed to use the product only on the floor;
• Before placing the lounge chair on the surface, check that it is clean and dry;
• It is not allowed to carry the lounge chair together with the baby. First set the chair, then sit the baby;
• You should take into account the temperament of the baby, active and restless should not be ignored;
• Do not forget the main thing that the lounge chair is not a car seat, so it is not allowed to use it in this role.

The rules of use are simple. Although engineers have taken into account all the nuances, parents should not forget that situations are different, so under no circumstances should you leave a small child unattended. No matter how reliable modern gadgets are, we must remember that the health and safety of children depends primarily on the parents.

Very often we get inquiries that are looking for a massage chair, which must necessarily have a function of weightlessness or zero gravity. Now most massage chairs are equipped with this option, although there are other interesting options. Usually when customers visit the showroom and start testing our zero gravity chairs, they invariably ask the consultant “so, what is zero gravity?”

Origin of the term

This term is used quite often in the massage chair industry because almost all chairs have this feature. But like the terms 3D / 4D massage or L-track and S-track, it is not always immediately clear what it is and what it means. I hope I can shed some light on this terminology below.

According to the Scientific and Technical Encyclopedic Dictionary, the definition of weightlessness is: “It is the state experienced by an object in which there is no action of weight.

And, of course, when each of us imagines a state of weightlessness, we immediately think of an astronaut hovering in weightlessness, who like no other corresponds to the encyclopedic dictionary definition and is in a state “in which no action of weight is manifested” … because the gravitational force is extremely weak in space. Of course, it is obvious that such a state in no way applies to a user who is sitting in a zero gravity chair and who is fully affected by the gravity of planet Earth.

The definition of weightlessness in a massage chair is quite different and is determined not by the force of gravity but by the position of the body in the chair. In this position, the weight of the body is distributed more evenly with respect to the gravitational pull of the Earth. This position can be understood more clearly by referring to the research of the NASA space agency, which introduced the concept of a “neutral position” of the human body in the chair. The term ZERO GRAVITY (weightlessness) was first introduced in the industry massage chairs by American company Human Touch, when they called their chair PERFECT CHAIR, which translates as “perfect chair. According to their website, “the ergonomics of the ‘perfect chair’ are based on the ‘neutral reclining position’ developed by the space agency to support astronauts as they orbit their spacecraft.” This is how the massage industry coined the term ZERO GRAVITY “weightlessness,” which has expanded to the point where virtually every chair model on the market now has this feature.

So, we’ve defined the term “weightlessness” and have broken down how it originated in the world of zero gravity chairs… but, again, what is it and how is this feature built into a massage chair?

Central to understanding this feature, which is designed to prevent and relieve back and neck pain, is the concept of a “neutral position.” This position of a person in a massage chair is a set set of tilt angles that allows the spine to be as relaxed and resistant to stress as possible. This, in turn, reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs, improves blood circulation and relieves soft tissue tension associated with a static resting position.

More specifically, according to the NASA MSIS (Standards for Human and System Integration) development, the angles relative to the spine are 128° (+/- 7°) between the torso and the hip and 133° (+/- 8°) between the hamstrings and the calves. When we are outside of these general degrees of alignment, the spine suffers and the risk of injury increases.

Neutral body position

Many people believe that the “weightless” position involves placing the calves of the legs and feet above the level of the heart. This is not the case. While no one would argue that elevating the feet above the level of the heart is a useful thing, it does not apply to the concept of a “weightless”/neutral body position.

It is often the tilt angle parameters described above that play a role in the positioning of a weightless massage chair. The neutral body position minimizes the effects of gravity on the spine by distributing the body weight evenly. In other words, body weight is distributed in such a way that there are no one or two points on which the maximum body weight falls, let alone an unbalanced distribution of that weight. If you sit on a normal kitchen chair, all of your body weight is transferred to the seat. In the zero gravity or neutral body position, you are in an optimal position in which your body weight is evenly distributed along the entire length of the chair. This is exactly what the massage chair is trying to reproduce.

The zero gravity position in massage chairs

I can tell you that almost all massage chairs try to align the angle of the seat and back of the chair, but I can’t say that they all fully meet the stated parameters. Most weightless chairs have a higher or lower calf-to-thigh angle, the arm-to-shoulder angles are also higher or lower, and the calf-to-shin angle is lower. They are uneven in all directions, but the parameters of torso tilt relative to thighs are usually within the required measurements (taking into account the margin of error). When the massage chair goes into a weightless position, it leans back with the user.

But what about the massage chair feature with 2 or 3-step levels of weightlessness, which is available on some massage chairs? These massage chair positions usually involve even more deviation from the “true” weightlessness position. Such arrangements are nothing special or noteworthy, other than helping you recline even further with the simple push of a button. Such positions are not weightless positions at all. In other words, these extra “weightlessness” settings do not distribute the user’s body weight in the same way as a true neutral body position setting.

Hopefully, the term now makes some sense to you and doesn’t baffle you anymore!

Office chairs and armchairs get dirty quickly. They are spoiled by dust, dirt, stains of ink, drinks and cosmetics. Even the occasional spill of clean water leaves behind unkempt stains. How to restore the upholstery to its original presentable look? What can be used to clean office chairs and armchairs? We offer a detailed guide to self-cleaning the upholstery and carcass, as well as tips on how to remove the most common stains.

How to clean the upholstery?

First a step-by-step cleaning algorithm. Whichever cleaner you choose, follow the sequence of steps:

• Vacuum the chair thoroughly, especially in hard-to-reach places, grooves, crevices. This way you will get rid of dry dust and the smallest debris. If this is not done, the subsequent wet cleaning will turn the dust into dirt, and it will be very difficult to wash it out of the fabric. Dust is what causes streaks to appear on the upholstery when clean water is spilled on the chair. The dirt seems to come from nowhere, but it’s actually wet dust. Vacuum the upholstery with a soft brush, without pressing hard. Areas that are hard to reach may be easier to vacuum with a narrow nozzle. Vacuum your leather chairs and armchairs gently, using only low power.
• Prepare a detergent. Be sure to test it on a small area of upholstery in an inconspicuous place. Wait for the spot to dry and look at the results. If the upholstery has not changed color and texture and is simply cleaner, you can use the selected method of cleaning on the entire chair.
• Protect the frame from cleaning “chemicals” – cover it with food film or thick paper. Some cleaners can leave traces on plastic and metal. The frame should be wiped clean after upholstery cleaning.
• Clean the upholstery. Try not to rub it with cloths or brushes during the process, as even the fabric can leave scuffs. Leather upholstery is even more delicate – it is easy to scratch.
• Be sure to rinse off any detergent well with clean water. If soap, baking soda or any other substance is left on the upholstery, new dirt will quickly stick to it.
• Try not to wet the fabric too much, don’t let the liquid penetrate the filler. Of course, office chairs and armchairs dry faster than lush home sofas. But even here, mold can build up in the damp filler and then an unpleasant musty odor can appear.
• Dry the cleaned chair as soon as possible. You do not need to iron it with a hot iron or lean it against a radiator. Leaving the furniture in a warm, dry and well-ventilated room is sufficient. If possible, install a fan in the room, which will speed up drying.

What to clean with?

Now about how you can clean the fabric upholstery of the office chair or chair. There are many options, you can choose something from the improvised means or buy special “chemistry” in the store:

• A solution of liquid soap in warm water in a ratio of 1 : 6. Soak a cloth in it and gently wipe the entire surface of the upholstery. Then, often rinsing the cloth in clean water, remove the soap solution from the chair along with the dirt.
• Laundry soap solution. Pour about 3 tablespoons of 72% soap shavings into a bucket of water (about 5-7 liters). Stir the mixture well so that the shavings dissolve completely. Use it in the same way as the liquid soap solution.
• Baking soda. Make a thick mixture of baking soda and water and apply it to the upholstery. Leave the chair for half an hour. Vacuum the dried soda with a vacuum cleaner or dry cloth. Rinse off any remaining soda by wiping the upholstery with a clean, wet cloth.
• Salt solution (3 tablespoons per 3 liters of warm water). Soak a cloth in it and wipe the upholstery. Then use the cloth and clean water to remove the salt residue. Not only will this clean the upholstery, but it will freshen the color of the upholstery.

Popular store remedies include the familiar Vanish and specialty interior cleaners. They clean faster and better than home remedies, but have strong and persistent odors that can ruin more than one day’s work. There is also a huge selection of other specialty products for cleaning upholstery in the form of shampoos, sprays, gels, aerosols. Choose “chemistry” by price, reviews or pretty ads, but be sure to try its action on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery. Even the most expensive and vaunted product can be unsuitable for your chair and spoil its look.

How to clean an office chair with store-bought “chemicals”? Only strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions. But do not forget to vacuum the upholstery and cover the frame elements before cleaning, and after it – to dry and air the chair well.

How do I get stains out?

Most old and stubborn stains can be removed after cleaning with ordinary household soap. So before you try aggressive stain removers on your office chair, clean it from general dirt. Perhaps the stains will disappear with them. If you have no luck, try using a fabric stain remover. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test the product’s action on an inconspicuous area of the chair.

If the stains are relatively fresh and you know their origin, try to solve the problem with improvised products. How to clean office chairs from different stains?

• Vegetables, fruits, juices, wine. A mixture of vinegar and ammonia (1 : 1) will help. Soak a cotton pad in the mixture and gently rub the stain. Rinse off with clean water.
• Blood. To remove a fresh stain, rinse the cloth thoroughly with cold water. Dried blood can be soaked for a few minutes in a salt solution and then washed away with water. If the stain is no longer removable in this way, only special enzyme-based stain removers can help. Other “chemicals” will not work.
• Grease: If there is a lot of grease, blot it with a dry cloth and salt it for about half an hour. Wipe the stain area with a cloth soaked in alcohol and then a soapy solution. Rinse off the rest of the dirt with clean water.
• Coffee, tea, beer. These stains can be washed away very well with a soapy solution. If coffee or beer stains are not removable, use a 1:1 vinegar in water solution.
• Glue, wax. Rub the affected place with alcohol.
• Chocolate. Remove with a cotton pad soaked in ammonia.

Note that not all stains can be removed. If the contamination area is too extensive, if the upholstery is light, you have very little chance of removing the dirt without leaving a trace. In such cases, it is better to go straight to the dry cleaner.

How do I clean the frame and wheels?

Most often the legs and armrests of office chairs and armchairs are covered with plastic. It is enough to wipe it periodically with a clean, damp cloth. If the coating is already very dirty, use a soapy solution.

Wash the frame so that soapy water does not get inside the structure, especially in the mechanism of the wheels and height adjuster. Do not rub the plastic with brushes or abrasive powders – this will leave scratches. Washed and dried plastic elements can be polished with a polish that will hide microscratches and protect the surface from dust.

Chrome office chair frames can also be wiped down with a soapy solution without using abrasives. If there are difficult stains, try removing them with vinegar. After cleaning, be sure to wipe the metal with a cloth soaked in clean water and then wipe dry.

If your office chair is finished with wooden parts, try not to get them wet. Usually in such cases it is enough to remove dust and treat the surface with polish or wax. If there is noticeable dirt, use a soapy solution, but clean the finish very quickly and wipe dry immediately so that the moisture is not absorbed into the wood.

A separate task is cleaning the wheels of the office chair. Because of the dirt that accumulates in the mechanism, they do not rotate well. What can be done about it? We offer a step by step instruction:

1. Turn the chair upside down.
2. Remove the wheels – they can be snapped off or unscrewed with a screwdriver.
3. Use a narrow, non-sharp knife to clean the dirt and debris from the gap between the wheel and the lid.
4. Remove the coiled hair with long tweezers.
5. Wipe off all dirt with a dry rag. If it does not yield, you can gently rub with a damp, wrung out cloth (moisten it with water or soap solution). In hard-to-reach places, clean the dirt with a damp cotton swab. Do not allow water to enter the mechanism. After wet cleaning, wipe all accessible surfaces with a paper towel.
6. Install the castors. Make sure they are securely in place. Turn the chair upside down.

If you plan to clean the castors, do them first, and then clean the upholstery and outer surfaces of the frame.

How to ruin an office chair: 5 mistakes of self-cleaning

1. Rub the cleaner into the upholstery. This will not make the “chemistry” work better, but can leave unsightly scuffs on the upholstery surface.
2. Clean the chair or armchair partially, just where the stain is. If you don’t clean the entire surface of the upholstery, it will be in streaks. The dust on the areas not cleaned will still get wet, and new stains will be left.
3. Experiment with different cleaners – mix them up, apply one after another without rinsing them off, heat with a hair dryer or iron for a better effect, leave them on the upholstery longer than directed. All this can lead to unforeseen chemical reactions and very ugly results. Many products are simply incompatible.
4. Use on leather chairs preparations designed for fabric upholstery. Leather is cleaned with special products.
5. Remove stains with solvents and other chemicals that contain chlorine, acids, acetone, turpentine, gasoline and other petroleum derivatives.

To avoid any mistakes, and at the same time to save time and effort, trust office chair cleaning to our professionals. Professional technology and powerful equipment removes dirt better and safer than improvised means. After dry cleaning your office chairs and armchairs will be as good as new and will last longer.

When will your baby be able to sit in a high chair?

Every baby will be slightly different, but most parents can expect their baby to be ready to sit in a high chair between 4 and 6 months of age.  You may be able to start a little earlier with a reclining high chair.

Many parents look forward to this time because the transition to a high chair can free you up a bit in the kitchen and at the table. It also allows your baby to participate in some family activities, which is great for social development. To know when it’s time, there are a few key things to look for before you put your baby in a high chair.

Each chair manufacturer has age recommendations for each chair. Most recommend waiting until your baby is 6 months old before using a high chair. This is a good starting point, but you should make sure your child is ready. After all, every child develops at a different rate. For safety reasons, take your time.

Determining when your baby is ready to sit upright is fairly easy. Her physical development between 4 and 6 months should begin to show that she can sit well with some support. She should show pretty good stability and control in the sitting position, only wiggling slightly. Being able to hold her head up is also necessary.

Using a reclining high chair

If your baby has not yet reached this stage and you want to start using a high chair, consider purchasing a model with a reclining back. They can also be used in an upright position, so you’ll get a lot of use out of them as they grow.

Many parents find the reclining position convenient to use as a resting place for their child. Perhaps a reclining high chair would serve as a good seat with a view while mom or dad cooks dinner. It can also work for those rushed moments when you are feeding your baby from a bottle with one hand and eating dinner with the other.

The reclining position is not recommended when you start feeding your baby baby food .

Choose a good quality highchair

Whether you choose a recliner or a standard high chair, be sure to research all of your options. You want one that is sturdy and durable for at least two years of use. It should also be easy to clean and use. In the lying down position, a five-point harness is a must for young children. In the sitting position, a well-fastened seat belt should be used. 

After purchase, be sure to write down the make and model number of your child’s highchair. It is also a good idea to register it with the company. This is a simple step you can take in case the manufacturer has recalled the product for safety reasons or any other reason, and will allow you to take immediate action.

Transferring your baby to a high chair

A great tip for starting solid foods is to teach your baby to sit in a high chair a few weeks before you start eating solid foods . Let her take the chair for a “test drive” and let her get used to her new throne. Give her a plate, a cup and a spoon to play with and you will have one less obstacle to deal with when it’s time to start .

As important as it is to make your baby feel comfortable in the highchair, it is equally important that anyone who will be watching your baby at mealtimes be familiar with its operation.

• Does it fold up and where is the locking mechanism?
• How do the straps holding the baby in the seat adjust and lock so the baby doesn’t slip out?
• How quickly does the tray come off?
• Is it easy to sit your baby down and get up from the chair without getting your little fingers caught in any of its parts?

These are not things you want to learn when your child is sitting in the chair. It’s also the stuff you’ll want to show everyone who will be around while baby is eating.

High chairs on wheels are very handy, especially if one parent is home alone with the child and needs to do several tasks at once while the child is eating. Be careful to check the locking mechanism on the wheels and know how to do it on the fly.

For some babies, engaging in social interactions at mealtime is the key to everyone eating in relative peace. Make sure the chair is set up so your baby can see you and feel part of the party, but not within reach of hot or sharp objects on the table.

Safety tips for the high chair

When moving your baby into a high chair, remember some important safety tips:

• Always secure infants with a five-point harness or seat belt.
• Take a moment before each use to inspect the chair. Make sure everything is in place and the chair is not damaged.
• Always keep the highchair close to you. You need to be able to see your baby wherever you are. Make sure it is out of reach of the table or countertops.
• Never leave infants in the high chair unattended.

Once your baby is ready to sit in the high chair, it will make mealtime much less hectic for mom and dad. You may even be allowed to finish the meal for a change. Just make sure your baby (and you) are ready for this important step.

From the moment you decided to get a cat, you had to go a long way – this pet accustomed to the litter box, the fight for the rights of the owner of the house, the lapping of characters … It would seem that it is time to enjoy life, sitting in the evenings with a soft purring ball on his lap, but no – there is a new problem! Do not despair – the cat can be weaned from scratching the furniture, albeit it will have to spend a lot of effort and patience. Many owners consider this behavior as destructive and punish it, but for the pets themselves it is quite natural, related to mental and physiological needs. Today we will try to find out together how to teach your cat to scratch the furniture, to look at the best ways of doing it, and to give you a lot of useful advice.

6 reasons why cats scratch furniture

The cat was originally a wild carnivorous animal that is perfectly adapted for hunting. Not for nothing they say that a cat the size of a tiger would (hypothetically) be five times more dangerous than him. And it has the appropriate body structure: the whiskers, which serve as a locator to assess the distance to obstacles, the tail, which provides maneuverability, and claws, which must be in perfect condition, because they perform many functions. Therefore, you should not be surprised if your pet starts to tear furniture or wallpaper.

In general, all the reasons why the cat is engaged in this unpleasant for the owner, can be summarized in a small list:

• manicure (during sharpening, the animal removes the keratinized layer from the claws. In its place, new sharp claws appear);
• relief of nervous tension (angry or frightened cats usually relieve stress in this way);
• warming up (the pet “warms up” the muscles, like an athlete);
• marking the territory (the smell of sweat secreted by the sweat glands on the paws remains on the furniture);
• practicing (releasing claws is a very old hunting skill, hardly used by modern cats, but it is in the genes).

Note! If the cat nibbles on the chair in which you like to spend your free evenings, it shows its sympathy and trust.

Let’s wean the cat from scratching the furniture

There are quite a few ways that can help you wean your pet from scratching the furniture. Let’s start with the most popular ones.

1. Loud noises, voice command

Every time he tries to sharpen his claws on the furniture, say loudly and harshly “No!”, “No!”, “Shhhh!”. Continue in this manner until the pet gives up on its goals.

Notice. Don’t swear at the cat when it has already sharpened its claws. Do it before or in the first seconds of sharpening, so that the activity is associated with punishment. The cat needs to understand exactly what you are scolding him for.

Another effective way to wean him off the “bad” habit is to use ordinary baby rattles. You can buy a rattle or make one yourself – for example, put some coins in a metal jar (you can find it in the kitchen), seal it and always keep it near you. If you notice that the cat wants to make mischief again, take the jar and rattle it strongly. The animal will quickly run away into the next room, because it does not like such strong sounds. Rattle each time to reinforce what you’ve learned!

Balloons – another good “sound” method of education, though not the most convenient for the owner. Inflate and tie several balloons, fix them at the scene. The trap should be designed for one of the balloons to burst in the process of another claw point. The loud sound will scare away the animal, and the next time it will be afraid to approach the ill-fated chair.

2. Sprayer with water

Cats are not known to like water procedures, so why not take advantage of it? Fill a spray bottle with water and spray it on him every time he tries to sharpen his claws in a forbidden place. But remember, this kind of “shower” is only effective before or within five minutes of an incident, otherwise the pet won’t know what he’s being punished for. Unpleasant feelings, as in the previous case, should be associated with the “crime”.

3. We arm ourselves… with smells!

Representatives of the feline family do not tolerate the scent of onions, vinegar and citrus fruit. It is better to give preference to the third option, because vinegar wears off rather quickly and the smell of onions will be unpleasant for you too. Mix lemon (orange, tangerine) aromatic oil with the same amount of eucalyptus oil in a container with a sprayer. Spray the resulting solution on furniture, wallpaper or other necessary items. The advantage of this method is that it will not only discourage the cat from scratching the furniture, but it will also fill the house with pleasant smells.

In addition to citrus fruits, you can use various spices. If the citrus fruit is not the same as the citrus fruit, you can use a variety of spices, such as citrus, citrus, or chili peppers.

4. Sticky Surface

The sensation of stickiness is as unpleasant for cats as water procedures, so you can stick double sided tape on the most attractive places (e.g. armrests, back of furniture).

You can also use a special sticky tape Sticky Paws, which can be glued almost anywhere – on the carpet, furniture upholstery, curtains. These tapes are almost invisible, and therefore will not spoil the interior of the room.

5. Claw trimming

When trimming a sharp part of the claw, you need to act with extreme caution, otherwise you may hurt your pet. This should preferably be performed by a qualified veterinarian. Although you can learn to trim nails by yourself. The only thing to do is to do it to a certain length and at a certain angle, using only special scissors.

6. Closed doors

If you have any expensive items in the room, keep the doors closed as soon as the cat comes in. Prefer a door handle of this type, so that it will not open if the animal paws at it.

Or you can make one of these at the bottom of the door leaf.

7. A scratching post 

A great solution to the problem. Characteristically, the scratcher is quite possible to make your own hands, but you need to consider a few important nuances.

1. The place should be as comfortable as possible for the pet.
2. The height must match its height.
3. The scratching post should be fixed securely so that it can withstand the load.
4. The top layer should be made of a rough material of medium hardness, reminiscent of tree bark. A great option is sisal rope, although you can use other materials as well.

A cat always thinks he is the master of the house and that is why he will hardly confine himself to one place to show his power. If you have a big apartment or you – the happy owner of several cats, you’d better put 2-3 scratching post where the animals like to be.

Making a scratching post with your own hands. Master class

Consider one simple and inexpensive way of making a cat trainer. For this, prepare in advance:

• wooden plate of round shape (ø35 cm), cut it out before you begin;
• scotch tape (yellow, pink or white);
• a wooden bar (40×40 mm) 0.7 m long;
• scissors;
• an electric drill, a screwdriver, and wood screws of sufficient length;
• adhesive, stapler;
• a white cover (40×40 mm), such as is used for switches;
• white paint;
• nylon rope (50 m);
• fabric dye (yellow or pink).

Step 1. After preparing everything you need, you can start making the scratcher yourself. First, fix the bar in the center of the base. It is important to precisely determine the center of the circle, otherwise the appearance of the whole product may be spoiled. After fixing, paint the circle with white paint.

Step 2: Start painting the rope. By the way, this rope is lighter and therefore better than sisal or jute. Although nylon itself is less durable, but it is not so important – the scratching post does not last very long, their lifespan (both homemade and purchased) is limited.

Step 3: When painting, follow the instructions that come with the fabric dye. The rope should then dry well, which can be done by laying it on a radiator, for example. This can even take all night, so further work is better off postponed to the next morning. Moreover, during this time the smell of the paint, with which you painted the round base, will have time to get rid of.

Step 4: You can start wrapping. First, nail one end of the rope to the bar as shown in the photo below. Also be sure to spread the glue all over the post. If using different colors of rope, join them together with colored tape (pink on the pink section, etc.). Caulk the junction between the pink and yellow with pink duct tape, which will look like an extension of the pink edging. This is why you don’t need to buy tape of all three colors.

Step 5. Secure the other end of the rope on top with the same stapler, and cover the remaining area with a plastic cover. In the absence of the latter, simply paint the area or decorate it to your liking.

Step 6. The foothold is ready to use! If you do not have time/power/desire to make such a variant, you can try to make another one (step by step instructions below).

How to train the cat to the scratching post?

“Aggregate” for claw trimming is usually placed where the pet is used to do it. As mentioned above, if there are several such areas, the scratching post should be as many (ideally).

1. If the cat has its own sleeping place, the scratching post should be placed there (cats always stretch out after waking up).
2. The cat can be shown how to use the scratching post – first of all, run his paw over the post (this should be repeated several times).
3. All distracting objects should better be covered or taken away, so that the pet focuses more often just on the scratching post.
4. Put foil, duct tape or slippery plastic on the floor in the place where the cat likes to tear the wallpaper or furniture.

Take note! Every time when the cat will use the scratching post, encourage it, pet it and present it with compliments.

Do not lure the pet to the sharpening “unit” with valerian. The cat will dig its nose into the scratching post, rubbing against it, meowing loudly and performing various circus tricks, without even remembering that it is intended for this purpose.

What you must not do

Most people don’t know that their prohibitions and threats have no effect on cats. The animal will always do what he wants, without regard to your opinion. Therefore, weaning wolf from a bad habit, keep in mind some important points.

1. Do not resort to any physical punishment (the pet will harbor a grudge and will definitely take revenge on you).
2. Shame the cat only during the “crime” (belated lectures won’t change his mind).
3. Do not throw out the old scratching post, the smell of which is familiar to the animal (it will be very hard for it to get used to the new one).
4. Finally, do not shout at the cat (use your tone of voice, but not the volume).

Owners of cats, who do the daily motions, are lucky in this respect, because any tree is a big scratching post, and no one will swear for its exploitation.

It’s no secret that sometimes being pregnant can be uncomfortable – and not just on the day your baby is born. All of the months leading up to labor can be accompanied by aching, pain, cramping and tingling.

If you’re thinking about getting some well-deserved rest with a pedicure or massage, you may be wondering if it’s safe to use an electric massage chair (the kind you sit in to get a pedicure) during pregnancy.

As with many things during pregnancy, there is no definite answer, but many experts will tell you that these massage chairs are safe if you use them properly.

Here’s what you need to know about why using massage chairs during pregnancy is sometimes controversial, what to keep in mind if you decide to go for it, and what else you can do to get relief during pregnancy.

Is it safe to use a massage chair during pregnancy?

An electric massage chair is just a chair, and you sit in it all the time during pregnancy, so you may be wondering what the big deal is. Well, there are three main concerns about using an electric massage chair during pregnancy:

• Vibration can harm your baby.
• Acupressure points can trigger early labor.
• If the chair has a heating feature, you could overheat, which could harm your baby.

Is there any basis for these concerns? In short, not really.

“Despite claims that a massage chair can lead to miscarriage or premature birth, there is no evidence that this is true,” says Dr. Romy Ghosh, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Austin Regional Hospital. “Massage chairs used as intended are generally safe for pregnant women.”

Let’s take a closer look at each potential problem:

• Vibration. The vibration you get from a massage chair is usually not strong enough to cause any harm. And even if you used the highest setting, there is no risk to your stomach because you are in a seated position.
• Spot massage. Similarly, the pressure exerted in these chairs is not strong enough to induce labor. In fact, acupressure working points require constant pressure, not the kind you can get from a massage chair.
• High temperature. Although the heat from a massage chair is likely to be quite moderate, it is always a good idea to be mindful of overheating during pregnancy. It’s dangerous to raise your body temperature too much during pregnancy. This is why things like hot tubs, saunas, and hot yoga are not recommended.

In general, proper use of a massage chair poses little risk to a pregnant woman.

Ready for a massage.

Using a massage chair at a low level should be safe during pregnancy. However, always consult your doctor or labor and delivery specialist (such as a midwife) if you are unsure.

Stick to low massage settings and gentle heat, especially in the lumbar area. For example, pregnant women are allowed to use heating pads in isolated areas. If you feel that you are getting too hot or you feel weak, you should stop using the chair and drink water.

When you should not use a massage chair during pregnancy

If you are worried about using an electric massage chair during pregnancy, you can give it up at any time. Some people may find it particularly uncomfortable in the first trimester and during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Alternatively, you may simply avoid the massage chair during pregnancy for other reasons, such as:

• Morning sickness. if you have severe morning sickness, all that shoving can make you nauseous.
• Radiculitis. If you have sciatica, you may think a massage is a good idea. But it can actually cause even more pain by irritating already sensitive or congested nerves and muscles.
• Back pain. The same principle applies to lower back pain. During pregnancy, back pain can be difficult, and you may irritate the area even more.

If you are in a lot of pain, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor or midwife about why you want to use a massage chair.

“It would be better if you talk to your doctor about any pain you are feeling,” Ghosh adds. “For example, lower back pain could be a sign of preterm labor.”

Talk to your doctor about the pain

If you experience severe pain during pregnancy, especially if it affects your daily life, be sure to consult with your doctor or labor and delivery specialist.

How to deal with pain during pregnancy

Look, we get it: everything hurts. Sciatica makes it hard for you to walk, pubic dysplasia makes your perineum flare up, and it feels like your back is locked in a vise.

Of course, you want a massage – any one would!

But while a massage chair may be the solution for you, there are other safe ways for pregnant women to get relief. Again, be sure to discuss any specific pains you have with your health care provider, just in case.

Stay active.

Ghosh says that regular physical activity, such as walking or swimming, can help relieve back pain and strengthen it, preventing other pain.

You can also try prenatal yoga or Pilates (just make sure you get approval from your doctor first).

Rest and Ice.

Ice packs and resting tense muscles can provide short- and long-term relief.

Height

Raising your feet is not just an expression. Raising your legs can reduce swelling and discomfort in your lower extremities.

Stretching

You may not feel comfortable moving much, but light stretching, taking slow walks and even just getting up from behind a desk or couch once an hour to move around can help reduce discomfort during pregnancy.

“Try also adding prenatal stretching, such as a cat pose to stretch your back, or a foam roller to stretch your hips and buttocks, which can contribute to back pain,” Ghosh suggests.

Move to the buttocks.

Lower back pain during pregnancy can actually be the result of overstretching the gluteal muscles. Try gently rolling them or practicing hip stretches.

Physical Therapy

Pregnancy can bring new aches and pains into your life or reveal pre-existing problems.

Many physical therapists are trained to work with pregnant women, and some even specialize in it, so you can safely readjust, rebuild and recover with the help of a professional.

Ghosh says a referral to a physical therapist can help when home measures haven’t improved your symptoms.

In addition, you can also talk to your doctor about the proper use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers during pregnancy on those days when home treatments just don’t work. Acetaminophen is generally considered safe to use, while ibuprofen should be avoided.

You can also incorporate acupuncture or chiropractic care into your routine, but talk to your doctor or childbirth specialist first. Some obstetricians and gynecologists recommend these methods, while others would prefer that you avoid them.

What about massage for pregnant women?

If you’re not comfortable using a massage chair or don’t have access to one, you may be wondering if you can get a traditional massage instead.

Again, the answer is basically the same: it’s probably safe, but you should consult your doctor or obstetrician.

“Massage can help reduce stress and tension, improve circulation and improve sleep, which is good for mom and baby,” Ghosh says. “Prenatal massage is usually safe after the first trimester, but be sure to talk to your doctor first and let your massage therapist know you’re pregnant.”

If you get a massage, make sure it’s by a licensed massage therapist familiar with treating pregnant women.

You may also need a medical certificate from a health care provider that says you can get a massage. The therapist will also likely ask you to lie on your side for a massage, not on your stomach, even if you are in your first trimester.

Pregnancy Massage Tip

Before you schedule a prenatal massage, make sure you have a signed and dated letter from a health care provider stating that it is safe for you to get a massage.

You might also consider inviting your partner for a massage. According to Gosh, a massage lying on your side can:

• relieve back pain
• reduce stress
• improve sleep.

And studies back that up. For example, a small 2019 study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork found that a 10-minute massage on a chair twice a week between partners helps reduce anxiety, moodiness and pain in pregnant women.

This uses a massage chair that you sit in to get a massage (you may have seen them at the mall), so they don’t cause any of the problems that an electric massage chair causes. If you have such a massage chair at home or have access to one, talk to your doctor to see if using one might be a good way to relax and reduce discomfort.

No one knows for sure if electric massage chairs are safe during pregnancy, but there is also no evidence that they are not.

You can keep any heat and massage settings low just to be safe, but in general a massage chair is unlikely to be a problem unless you have a high-risk or complicated pregnancy.

If you need the relief that a massage chair provides but can’t get to it, talk to a health care professional about regular massage with a licensed therapist.

You can also discuss other ways to treat pregnancy pain, such as bathing in a tub, using physical therapy, home remedies, and over-the-counter pain relievers that are safe for pregnant women.

Club chair is a type of chair, usually covered in leather. It was created and manufactured in France . Before it became known by its current name, it was first called fauteuil confortable , “comfortable chair”. The name was given to it to distinguish it from the fauteuil de style, which had straighter lines and was less enveloping.

The craftsmen involved in the development of the armchairs were unknown. The origin of the term “club” is unclear, but perhaps it is a reference to the gentlemen’s club .

Although the club chair is undoubtedly a classic interior feature in France, it remains as relevant as it is today. Over time, the charm, variety, and prominence of the chair grew.

With great simplicity, the Art Deco era created armchairs with clean, flexible lines, unlike the Art Nouveau style of the 1910s.

After World War II, dozens of different shapes emerged. Some have stood the test of time, such as the “mustache” and the “gendarme hat,” named after the shape of the back. The round shape became the most symbolic embodiment of the club chair.

Production

Design, carpentry, sewing, upholstery and dyeing are the main crafts used in the manufacture of the club chair. Each chair is the product of a cumulative experience.

The club chair was first introduced in the early 20th century with a new padding technique, using double tapered springs not only in the seat cushion, but also in the backrest and armrests. Coconut filling added to the elasticity of these springs.

Industrial advances have led to the replacement of this method of padding with non-sag springs or elastic tape along with synthetic foam.

Coating

Coatings have changed developed industrial technology, and have included mercerized , velvet, calfskin and, most recently, Bicast leather . Nevertheless, sheep’s leather is still considered the authentic material for chairs.

With a vegetable-tanned sheepskin covering, the marks and imperfections of the leather are visible through the dye, making each chair unique. In addition, the particularly fine grain gives the chair a unique patina over time. French leather has been known for its quality since the 19th century.

It takes six to eight skins of about 0.8 square meters (8.6 square feet) each to cover a chair. They are applied wet, stretched as much as possible and shrunk as they dry. They will last about 40 years.

7 trendy chair shapes: from the “Shell” to the “Director’s Chair”

In living room interior design, the chair is a particularly atmospheric element responsible for harmony, completeness and depth. The chair symbolizes individualism, but in the early 2000s it lost much of its relevance in small-sized interiors. Now armchairs are making a comeback, experiencing their new Golden Era in design – we haven’t seen such a variety of formats, styles and upholstery.

Berger Armchair

“Bergère” (“Berger”, Bergère) is a special armchair that came to us from the reign of Louis XV, French from back to feet. There are several dozen varieties of it, and even more chairs in this style are produced now than before. With its grace, slim armrests and luxurious looking back, it is gaining love all over the world.

The Club Chair and the “Taxido.”

This chair belongs to the Art Deco era and has many variations, such as with semi-circular or straight armrests. Some experts also refer to the Tuxedo club armchair, which is correct in principle. But the silhouette of the latter is more straight and sharp, without soft roundings. Do not confuse club chairs with Tub Chair, the latter is more simple and affordable.

The Slipper Chair

“Slipper” is a small chair without armrests, similar to a pouffe with a backrest. Small height and more suitable for a tiny living room, hallway or corridor, waiting room. In the U.S., slippers are commonly referred to as any chair (but not chairs) without armrests.

Cogswell armchair

Cogswell armchair with its low seating, practical upholstery and rather inconspicuous silhouette is just what you need for mid-century modern or safari-inspired interior. Its main difference is the landing line. It is essentially an “L” where both sides. are almost equal! The length of the back and seat are almost the same, whereas in other chairs the back is always much higher.

Shell chair

This chair has an amazing shape. Thanks to its soft, slightly curved vertical lines, it resembles a seashell. Such upholstery in velvet not only looks glamorous, but also very pleasant to the touch. The chair is considered a cocktail chair because of the low back and narrow armrests.

“Director’s Chair.”

Luxury chairs with a geometric metal frame (Metal Frame) date back to the Art Deco era. But the truth is that more variations have been invented in the last twenty years than before. Although metal frame is found in many styles, in this case we are talking about armchairs with a sleek thin frame, geometric, Art Deco style. For example, the Hollywood “director’s chair” is of this type.

Art Deco armchair.

Velvet armchairs with a geometric and symbolic “cut” silhouette are Art Deco style armchairs. They are quite minimalistic, elegant, “straight” and are almost always upholstered with velvet.

The standard of comfort: Eames Lounge Chair

Meet the favorite chair of Dr. House and “Iron Man”, the pride of American design and the most comfortable piece of furniture of the twentieth century.

The creation of the Eames has been one of the most recognizable and best-selling pieces of furniture in the world for more than half a century. What is the mystery of the popularity of the legendary Eames Lounge Chair with an ottoman?

Manufacturing history

In the early 1940s two young architects, Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, won a competition at the Cranburg Academy to make a chair out of a single piece of plywood for mass production. But it proved unsustainable. After several unsuccessful attempts, Eero gave up, and Charles continued the development with his wife and colleague Rhea.

Charles and Rhea met in an architecture and design course at the University of Michigan.

The first generation of Eames chairs made of molded birch plywood rolled off the assembly line in 1946. At the same time, Charles and Ray signed a contract with the furniture factory Herman Miller to produce budget furniture. Ten years later, in 1956, they produced the first mass-produced luxury Eames Lounge Chair.

According to one version, the designers were inspired by a baseball glove, another by a gentlemen’s club chair, and a third by the uncomfortable chair of their friend, the movie director Billy Wilder.

After the presentation of the chair at the American Home show in 1956, the Eames’ creation gained many fans. A year later the designers got the first prize at the Milan Triennale and launched sales in Europe. Today the Eames Lounge chair is known and loved all over the world and has become a true design icon.

One Eames chair each is in the collection of more than 20 major museums in the United States and Europe.

Design Philosophy

“We don’t make art, we solve problems” is the main approach to the work and creativity of the Eames couple. In the ’40s and ’50s, American luxury furniture was more about aesthetics than comfort. Charles and Rae set out to fix that and created the Eames Lounge Chair, taking a twentieth-century club chair as the basis.

The designers made a bet on the stylish status design, high-end materials and maximum comfort.

According to the authors’ idea the user of Eames Lounge Chair should feel as comfortable as “a baseball in a soft worn out glove of a top player”. Ergonomic design of the furniture follows the contours of the human body, and the constant angle of inclination (15º) of the back takes the weight off the lower back. A wide ottoman armchair turns into a relaxing chaise lounge helps to increase the degree of comfort.

The design

Armchair

Each of its three parts (for the seat, back and headrest) is made from a sheet of seven-layer plywood, which was bent with heat and pressure.

Densely stuffed and leather-covered cushions were inserted into the resulting molds. They are fixed with furniture nails, but thanks to convenient zippers, the upholstery is easy to remove and change.

Interesting: the designers named the armchair and ottoman after the factory part numbers – “670” and “671”.

The headrest and backrest are fastened together by two aluminum supports. The seat is connected to the backrest by means of leather armrests and special neoprene washers (shock-absorbers). The 360º swivel base is supported on a cast aluminum base with five stable legs.

Ottoman

Its structure is almost identical to that of the armchair. Except there is no backrest and headrest and there are four legs instead of five. The cushion surface is decorated with two taffeta buttons and the removable cover is trimmed on the side with a black inconspicuous zipper.

The cushions are attached to the plywood panels with hidden clips and rings, which protects the upholstery from damage. It is convenient to use the ottoman as a soft mobile stool.

Dimensions

They may differ depending on the modifications, replicas and copies. A number of manufacturers produce models to individual order.

The original dimensions of the Eames lounge chair:

Materials

All parts of the first Eames Lounge set are based on Brazilian rosewood plywood.

Today the range of materials has expanded, but their quality remains consistently high. Among the popular upholstery options for the armchair and ottoman is premium semi-aniline leather. Over time it acquires characteristic creases and a rich patina, which adds nobility and aristocratism to the chair.

Colors

The first models of the armchairs and ottomans Eames Lounge were made only in black upholstery surrounded by reddish-brown rosewood veneer. The white leather covers were made exclusively to order up to 2007. Today the factory Herman Miller offers Eames Lounge mainly in two basic shades. And the Vitra company has a wider color range including black, brown, terra cotta, cream, plum, chocolate, gray and white.

Much richer is the palette of the companies that sell copies and imitations of the legendary chair. If desired, you can choose any color of upholstery and materials.

Producers

Despite the large number of companies imitating the legendary armchair, the official rights to manufacture Eames Lounge Chair have only two: since 1956 Herman Miller (USA) and since 1984 Vitra (Sweden). The products of both brands are almost identical except for the design of the legs.

Official modifications.

For 60 years the design of the Eames Lounge chair has not changed much, except for details, materials and manufacturing techniques. Five modifications of it are known:

• 1956-1959: the classic model featured five-ply rosewood plywood, three screws under the armrests, goose down filler and round silver clips on the cushions.
• 1960-1971: number of screws reduced to two, rubber block added to cushion for softness, shape of legs changed.
• 1971-1974: black rectangular clips were added to remove the cushions, rosewood veneer was varnished and natural filler was replaced by synthetic fiber and latex foam to better retain the shape of the chair.
• 1974-1991: instead of five layers of plywood they used seven without increasing the overall thickness of the material.
• 1991 to the present day: rosewood is replaced by cherry, walnut and other types of wood because of environmental problems.

Features of the original

Buying an original Imzow chair is a serious and long-term investment. To avoid overpaying for a fake, take note of a few tips:

• Ask for a certificate of authenticity (it should be inside the package),
• Look for the paper label on the upholstery, labels, barcodes and stamps of official manufacturers (Herman Miller or Vitra) on the chair,
• check all the panels of the chair and ottoman: they should have the same numbers, initials, tags or the signature of the factory worker,
• make sure the shock absorbers are original and the appearance of the legs of both parts of the set are the same,
• inspect the backrest of the chair – its angles should be correct, symmetrical,
• check the cushion filling – it should correspond to the modification,
• always pay attention to the surface of the back panel around the fixtures – any cracks or damage can damage the case.

Applications

Eames Lounge Chair is a self-sufficient and charismatic thing, able to adjust the interior and become the center of attraction. Universal, timeless design of the armchair is harmonious both in neutral classical style and in experimental eclecticism. It is important to find the right combination of furniture palette and materials with the overall atmosphere of the house.

Eames Lounge especially fits well into trendy modern styles: loft, neoclassic, bionic, futuristic, grunge, contemporaries, vintage and eco.

In a private house or apartment it is appropriate to place it in a home library, in a bedroom or living room, in a home cinema, in a corner for reading or hobbies.

It is difficult to call it a work chair because of the lack of height adjustment. Rather, it is an anti-stress furniture for office or home relaxation corner.

What are chairs for the culture house, and how to choose the right one

In Soviet times, such a concept as a clubhouse was born. They were built both in large cities and in small villages. Basically, clubs were used as centers of cultural and educational work, and had to accommodate a large number of people. Therefore, their halls were equipped on the principle of theaters. The heads of such institutions faced the task of meblix.net, which would allow seating as many visitors as possible, and would be as comfortable as possible.

Furnishing a modern clubhouse

Although many years have passed since then, but houses of culture are still a place where people gather. Such institutions hold various cultural events, and to make visitors feel comfortable, an appropriate environment is necessary. This should be kept in mind when choosing armchairs for the hall. The optimal option is models with a reclining seat. The installation of such furniture allows people to freely pass to their seats, located in the central part of the row.

But in addition to the structural design, other characteristics of the chairs are also important, such as:

• ergonomics;
• strength;
• durability;
• ease of care;
• stylistic solution.

This is due to the intensive use of products and often not quite careful attitude to them by visitors.

However, it is quite difficult to make the best choice of model and configuration of furniture. After all, it should take into account the peculiarities of the hall, its size, the method of arranging the chairs and even the financial capacity of the institution.

The main stages of the choice

To ensure that the chairs for the cultural center were comfortable, combined in style with the design of the room and met your financial capabilities, it is worth paying attention to the products of major manufacturers. It always has a more attractive price, because you do not have to pay for the services of intermediaries, and higher quality, in contrast to the products of handicrafts.

But in order to choose the best option, you must have a clear idea of what criteria it must meet. You should start by determining the intended use of the room in which you intend to install the furniture. There are armchairs for the following categories of rooms:

• theatrical;
• In the institutions of power and government;
• for conferences;
• in the Philharmonic;
• cinemas;
• circuses;
• educational establishments.

If your house of culture is expected to use the room multifunctional, then the chairs for it must be chosen with different target audiences in mind. In this case, you should pay more attention to anti-vandal properties of furniture than to its design and comfort. The best option – it is products with high repairability, in which it is possible to change the soft elements directly in the room without dismantling them. It is much cheaper to change only one part than to buy a new chair.

If you have limited space in the club room, you should pay attention to such parameter as width of armchairs in axes. Optimal is considered a slope of 17-21° back and 4 to 15° seat. In this case, the width of products designed for adult audiences should be at least 52-53 cm. The height of the furniture is chosen depending on the slope of the floor. If it is insignificant, then to ensure a good overview will require models with a backrest 5-10 cm less than the standard value.