One of the reasons we love working with wood is that it continues to be a living, breathing piece, even when it’s in your home. This means it will continue to respond to its environment, just as it would in nature. You will notice it will want to move, expand and contract over time and humidity and heat is one of the elements that affect it the most. As our wood furniture settles into your home, don’t be surprised to see some movement as it relaxes into its new environment. As the seasons change it is also perfectly natural for little cracks to appear. This is nothing to worry about and not a fault in the furniture. It’s the woods natural response and part of its wonderful character.
It is also natural for there to be a slight colour variation with initial use or cleaning. Again, this is perfectly natural. Wood is often treated with a stain to even the finish and any visual change will lessen over time.
With the right care, our furniture will get better with age and be part of your home for years to come. Every piece of our furniture is handmade by skilled craftsmen and in order to keep it looking at its finest, it is important to maintain it. Here are a few handy tips on the best way to protect it from stains, scratches, watermarks and coffee cup rings.
CLEANING THE FURNITURE
When it comes to cleaning your furniture the important thing to remember is never to use or apply any furniture maintenance products containing silicone or solvents like stain removers, turpentine or white-spirit, as they can interfere with the wood’s surface. We also recommend you take extra care when using cleaning products containing bleaching additives, such as lemon.
The best way to clean the tops is to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment every now and then to remove dust and other small bits of dirt or food. Avoid using furniture polish. You don’t need it and it leaves a residue that accumulates over time, which ironically attracts more dirt. We suggest simply wiping the item clean with a soft, dry cloth to remove crumbs and dirt.
Metal frames can be cleaned with a damp shammy cloth.
STAINS
As a rule of thumb, clean any spills or stains as quickly as possible. Don’t rub the spill, instead, dab it gently with a paper towel or an absorbing cloth. Take care to clean the whole item rather than small areas each time, as this will prevent patches of discolouration.
The best way to remove a stain is with water and if necessary, a mild natural soap.
Never use any abrasive cleaning products.
MOVING AND PROTECTING
You may need to move your furniture from time to time to retrieve a dropped toy or simply because you think it will look better in a different part of the room. To make sure you avoid weakening the joints, never drag your furniture, instead, always lift when moving it around.
We always suggest using placemats and coasters under plates, cups and glasses whether hot or cold. And try to avoid placing pots of house plants on the top surfaces as it will allow moisture to ingress into the wood.
It may seem obvious, but do not place your furniture near direct heat sources such as radiators, AC units and open fires. Also, it’s worth considering where you position your furniture. Sunlight can cause fading, so if it’s in a sunny spot, regularly rotate to ensure an even fade.
The same applies to our extendable dining tables. We suggest you open up the tables from time to time and expose the extendable panels to natural daylight. This will equal out any change in the wood’s colour.