Furniture Care Guide
GENERAL CARE
- Please check all fixings for fastening from time to time, and tighten if required.
- To help a surface age evenly, furniture should be moved or rotated periodically to ensure that the entire surface is exposed to an even amount of light over time.
- Do not place furniture too close to any heat source
-
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight as this causes premature fading, rotting and deterioration to furniture. We recommend that curtains be closed when the room
is not in use. - Wipe spills away with a damp cloth immediately.
SOFA CARE
- Spot clean all spills with a damp cloth immediately, dry in the sun.
- If the stain remains/ water spotting occurs, then remove the cover and have it dry-cleaned professionally.
- To maintain the life of your sofa's seat and back cushions, plump them on a weekly basis (just like you would a feather duvet or pillow).
- Reposition the seat cushions weekly, holding the front of the seat cushion flush with the front of the sofa frame. Make sure there is no "overhang", as this will damage your seat cushion.
- Puff back cushions and place them neatly.
FABRIC CARE
- Vacuum regularly with a soft upholstery attachment, taking special care to clean between folds, seams, under and behind cushions. Vacuuming will remove grit that can wear away the fabric and dirt combined with body moisture can produce a grime that will discolour the fabric.
- Soak up spills immediately but avoid hard rubbing.
- Turn reversible cushions, and adjust furniture positions regularly if possible to reduce fade lines and wear.
- Use a professional dry cleaning service at least once a year to keep the fabric looking good. If possible, leave any removable covers on during cleaning to minimise shrinking.
- Removable slip covers must be dry cleaned only.
- Temporary pilling can happen with some fabrics. This isn’t considered a fault and can be removed using a de-pilling machine.
- Don’t pull loose threads, cut them instead.
- Use any chemical and/ or foaming aerosol upholstery cleaners at your own risk and read the instructions carefully. Always spot test on a hidden part of the fabric to check for any adverse reaction.
LEATHER CARE
- Frequent removal of day-to-day soiling, through the use of a clean, damp, dye fast cloths will increase the lifetime of the leather and maintain its appearance. In extreme climates you’ll need to moisturise the leather more often.
- Wipe up water spills straight away, don’t let it soak in. Water based stains will leave a mark.
- Clean up food spills straight away. Food oils can permanently bond with the leather.
- Vacuum regularly with a soft upholstery attachment. Wipe over the leather with a damp, soft, clean cloth weekly. Dirt and grime can act as abrasives on leather.
- If you can, rotate the cushions to even out the wear.
- Try not to get body oils on the leather, as they can oxidise and change the colour of the leather.
- To maintain leather, we recommend that all leather is treated with the Pelle Leather Care Kit every two to three months to clean, condition and nourish the hide. You can order this here www.pellecare.co.nz
- For cleaning, do not spray anything directly onto the leather, use instead a dye-fast cloth and spray directly onto this before evenly cleaning the leather. Clean all leather with the cloth, one cushion at a time if need be. On completion, use the Pelle Conditioner/Stain guard, evenly spraying directly onto the leather to revitalise and add protection to the hide.
TIMBER VENEER AND SOLID TIMBER CARE
- Use tablecloths, table runners and coasters to help protect surfaces from scratching.
- Weekly — Dust regularly with a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain.
- Monthly — Clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.
- Twice a year — Apply a good quality furniture polish such as Maxwax or Mirotone Spray Glow furniture polish with a soft cloth. Do not use aerosol-powered cleaners or polishes. maxwax.co.nz ormirotone.com
- Only use recommended care products as many supermarket polishes and waxes contain high levels of silicon and petroleum distillate which can damage the surface.
- Polish your furniture every three to six months, making sure the surface is free from dust before you start.
- Avoid applying excess furniture polish as this will build up and need to be removed with a wood-cleaning product.
- Avoid placing hot or wet items directly on the surface as they can leave marks which are difficult to remove. If it is too hot for you to hold, it is too hot to put straight on the surface.
- Extremely high or low humidity is a damaging environmental factor. We suggest maintaining a relative humidity of 35-65 percent.
- Minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches:
- Rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No.000 steel wool.
- Apply a scratch-removing polish with a colour and value that simulate the veneer.
- If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.
GLASS CARE
- Dust glass frequently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Clean with a glass cleaner following the instructions on the bottle. Don’t apply glass cleaners to surrounding surfaces or to the frosted side of frosted glass.
- Use mats and coasters to protect glass from heat.
- Place any frosted glass, frosted side down. Don’t allow greasy or dirty items to come into contact with the frosted side. It can leave marks that are difficult to remove.
- Don’t subject glass to thermal or mechanical stress, it can be weakened and may break or shatter.
- Avoid using the glass as a chopping surface and don’t allow sharp or hard objects come into contact with it.
MARBLE FURNITURE CARE
- Marble table tops are highly durable and need minimal care to maintain their beauty.
- We add a clear lacquer to help protect the marble against wine, grease and coffee spills. However still wipe up any spills immediately with a clean cloth to avoid staining.
- Use table runners, place mats and coasters to reduce the chances of marking and damaging the marble.
- Don’t use acidic, lemon or vinegar-based cleaners - a mild soapy solution will do the trick, but remember to rub the marble dry.
- Never drag your table as it will stress the frame. Use two people and carefully lift it from both ends when moving.
HIGH GLOSS POLYURETHANE CARE
- High gloss finishes can be easy to maintain using commonly available household cleaning products.
- Remove streak marks using glass cleaner and a cloth.
- Darker colours may show scratches more. These can be removed using a car polish or similar product that is suitable for polyurethane finishes. Check the information on the care product to make sure it’s suitable. Don’t apply too much polish as it gets hard to remove the excess.
- Use table runners, place mats and coasters to reduce the chances of marking and damaging the high gloss finish.
-
Don’t put high gloss finishes in direct sunlight as this will increase fading.
FLOOR COVERINGS AND RUGS CARE
- To maintain wool and polypropylene rugs, check the care label attached to the back of the rug.
- Use a non-slip underlay for slippery surfaces or to protect the carpet.
- Weekly vacuuming will reduce the effect of excess pile. Wool rugs will naturally shed excess pile during the first three months (or more depending on use). For jute and coir rugs the best care is regular vacuuming.
CUSTOMER CARE
If you have any problems with your furniture that you would like to discuss with us, please give us a call on 09 302 2651 or email info@bauhaus.co.nz