Furniture Maintenance
Furniture will last longer if it is handled gently, kept in a suitable environment (a moist atmosphere will, for instance, cause much furniture to deteriorate quickly) and cared for: To do so, follow our simple guidelines.
| Material | Cleaning | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| WOOD | Use a damp cloth and warm water. Always dry after cleaning. Remove all liquids and residues that could otherwise be absorbed into the wood. | Wood is of course a natural material and can stain. It also changes colour over time and in light. Avoid contact with hot pots and pans, etc. |
| PLASTIC | Surfaces made from plastic materials can generally be cleaned with a soft damp cloth and warm water. For persistent stains, add liquid soap to the water. | Using other products, including acetone, can make shiny surfaces opaque. Any abrasive substance will scratch plastic and using a dry cloth can electrically charge a plastic surface - which then attracts dust. Also avoid direct contact with hot pots and pans. |
| METAL | Steel, aluminium and other metallic polished surfaces should be cleaned with a soft damp cloth and warm water. Add liquid soap for persistent stains. | Avoid cleaning products for items such as steel ovens, which can damage furniture. Also avoid any abrasive products, which will leave scratches. Also foods such as coffee, cola and fruit juice can stain metal if not removed immediately. |
| GLASS | Always clean with a soft cloth and a product specifically for glass. After cleaning, dry immediately, to avoid residue marks. | Do not use abrasive products, which will scratch glass - and take care when moving glass, as it can chip, particularly on the corners. |
| FABRICS | Fabrics vary hugely and require very different approaches to cleaning and stain removal. | Please ask us about specific fabrics. |
| LEATHER | Clean leather with a soft damp cloth. | Leather is a natural product and can easily be scratched or torn - avoid using any sort of abrasive product or rough handling. |
| TEAK | Use a damp cloth and warm water. Remove all liquids and residues that could otherwise be absorbed into the wood. | Teak surfaces should be oiled at least twice a year. This will protect against staining and the elements. |
