Product After Care

Following our aftercare guides for your new furniture will help maintain its quality and increase its longevity; it’s pointless investing in home improvements to have them damaged through bad practice! A mixture of common sense and tips from the manufacturers can work wonders.

Settees, Chairs & Footstools

Regular maintenance – general tips to help maintain the quality of your furniture.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, and only use products they recommend.
• Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum your furniture weekly to reduce the abrasive effect of dust and crumbs.
• If you spill something, blot up the excess immediately. Do not use detergents or rub as you could cause permanent damage. Often spills require professional cleaning - if this is the case, seek a professional as quickly as possible to avoid staining.
• Plump and turn cushions daily. Over time some fillings, including fibre, will lose up to 20% of their original volume through normal wear and tear - daily plumping will help make them last longer.
• Don't use a brush - brushing fabric covers can damage the pile and affect its feel and durability.
• Fixed cover fabric suites should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.
• Clean all covers of a loose cover suite at the same time to prevent colour variations.
• If you have any doubts about how to care for your furniture and can’t find your instructions please contact us.

Making it last – tips to increase the longevity of your furniture

• Do not place your furniture too close to direct heat or air conditioning; this can cause joints to dry out and squeaks and creaks to develop.
• Don’t pull loose threads, you could cause a hole to develop - simply trim them off neatly with sharp scissors.
• Rather than having a favourite seat, use your whole suite equally. This will keep your furniture looking the same throughout, allowing it to age as one piece.
• Do not sit on the arms or allow children to jump on your suite - this can shorten the lifespan of your furniture dramatically.
• Over exposure to sunlight will cause your furniture to fade over time.
• Open and close recliner mechanisms with care. Ensure small children do not swing on them or operate them incorrectly.
• Over time, perspiration and natural oils from our skins and hair can have an affect on the finish of leather. Where hands, bare arms or heads rest on the hide, wipe over regularly with a slightly damp cotton cloth and a mild soap. Do the same with any areas where pets may have rubbed against your furniture.
• Heavy perspiration can also affect the long-term durability of fabric suites. We strongly recommend you use arm caps and, if necessary, antimacassars to protect your furniture.
• Do not sit on light coloured suites, in particular pale leathers, wearing denim jeans or non-colourfast dark clothing. The dye can transfer on to your furniture and cause permanent discolouration
• Do not leave newspapers lying on your suite - ink can permanently stain its upholstery.

Dining Sets

Regular maintenance – general tips to help maintain the quality of your furniture.

• Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions - only use the products they recommend.
• Use a soft, clean cloth to gently dust your furniture.
• Use a clean, very slightly damp cloth to remove finger marks - the use of detergents is not recommended.
• We do not recommend the use of silicon or spray polishes. They may leave a residue on the surface of your furniture that affects its appearance.
• If your wood furniture has a lacquered easy care finish, daily dusting and the occasional wipe over with a clean, damp cloth followed by a dry duster will keep it looking clean and tidy.
• If your wood furniture has a waxed finish, use good quality natural beeswax and polish along the grain every 3 months. Use a clean duster to buff up and retain the natural beauty of your furniture.
• If your wood furniture has an oiled finish you will need to ‘feed’ it with linseed oil every 3-4 months. Make sure you dispose of the cloths used safely.
• Wooden products change colour with exposure to both natural and electric light. Rotate any ornaments to avoid patches of colour where the object has stood. Leave dining tables fully extended if possible, or expose the leaves to light so there are no vast colour differences between them and the tabletop.
• When vacuuming your fabric or suede dining chairs, use the soft furnishings attachment and a low power setting. Alternatively use a soft brush to remove dust. If your chairs are covered in leather, give them a wipe over with a damp cotton cloth. If you need to use soap make sure it is very mild and does not contain any harsh detergents.
• Check the stability of tables and chairs regularly. You may, from time to time, need to tighten bolts and other fixings.

Making it last – tips to increase the longevity of your furniture

• Don’t place your furniture too close to direct heat or an air conditioning unit, and try to avoid changes in humidity.
• If the air is too damp - like in a steamy kitchen - solid wood will still absorb moisture. Sticking drawers is a common warning sign. If the air is too dry - like in a warm conservatory - wooden furniture may start to warp, twist and split. Joints may open up into unsightly gaps. Plants in the room or a small humidifier can improve humidity and help protect your wooden furniture.
• When moving your furniture, lift it carefully. Dragging or pushing it will damage fixings and affect stability. You could scratch your floor, and even strain yourself.
• We recommend the use of good quality tablemats with stone surfaces to protect the surface finish from hot plates and kitchenware.
• Wooden furniture is not water or chemical proof or heat resistant. Do not put hot dishes or cups on to any tabletop or cabinet. Always use an insulated mat for protection. Don’t use a protective cover containing rubber derivatives – it could react with the topcoat finish.
• Sharp objects such as cutlery and pens can score the surface of your furniture, as can crockery being dragged across the top.
• Fit shelves and units according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not overload wooden or glass shelves.
• Do not place heavy items on drop down leaves or doors. The hinges are not designed for excessive weight.

Bedsteads

Making it last – tips to increase the longevity of your furniture

• Check all bolts, screws, legs and castors regularly to make sure they haven’t loosened.
• When buying a bedstead with a mattress, use a mattress pad over the wooden bedstead slats. This will reduce wear on the mattress cover and impede the transfer of tiny splinters. A mattress pad is a natural product that allows the mattress fillings to air or ‘breathe’.
• Only use storage drawers in divan beds to carry lightweight items such as pillows, duvets, and linen. Heavier items like books or toys could cause them to collapse, or distort the drawers and pull them off their runners.
• Use a soft clean cloth to gently dust your furniture.
• Use a clean, very slightly damp cloth to remove finger marks. The use of detergents is not recommended.

SHOULD I EXPECT SOME MARKS AND SCARS WHEN USING ANILINE LEATHER?
Scars and marks on aniline leather occur due to various reasons. Aniline leather is dyed with soluble dyes without a strong topcoat or protective layer, allowing the natural beauty and grain of the leather to show through. This is what makes aniline leather soft, supple and luxurious but at the same time makes it more susceptible to marks and blemishes.

Here are a few possible reasons why you might find scars and marks on aniline leather.

Natural characteristics: Aniline leather is normally made from the highest quality hides, which often have natural markings such as insect bites, wrinkles, stretch marks, and scratches. These natural characteristics are not considered defects but rather contribute to the uniqueness and authenticity of the leather.

Handling and usage: Daily use, accidental spills, friction, or improper handling can result in marks on aniline leather. Scratches, scuffs, and stains may occur if the leather comes into contact with sharp objects, rough surfaces, or substances that can penetrate the leather pores

Sunlight exposure: Aniline leather is sensitive to sunlight and may fade or develop marks when exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. UV rays can cause the colour to lighten and result in uneven fading or discolouration.

Ageing and patina: Over time, aniline leather develops a rich patina that adds character and depth to its appearance. The patina is formed through natural wear and exposure to oils, sunlight, and environmental elements. While patina can enhance the beauty of aniline leather, it can also include minor imperfections and marks.

It’s important to note that aniline leather requires regular care and maintenance to keep it in good condition. Cleaning, conditioning, and protecting the leather using appropriate products can help ensure the leather is kept in the best condition possible (click this link to read our blog post on how to clean and care for your leather).

If you have concerns about specific marks or scars on your aniline leather, it may be helpful to consult a professional leather cleaner or an expert in leather care for advice.

HOW DO I CLEAN LEATHER UPHOLSTERY?
Leather upholstery is practical, durable, and easy to clean and maintain. Depending on the type of leather your furniture is upholstered with, regular cleaning requires little more than vacuuming the exterior with the brush attachment, wiping it down thoroughly with a microfibre cloth (dry for unprotected leather, and wet for protected), and occasionally applying some leather conditioner. Properly caring for your leather upholstery ensures that your furniture will continue to look its best well into the future as it develops its own unique appearance and character.

Follow our step-by-step guide to get the most from your leather furniture.

1. Identify your leather.

There are two main types of leather primarily used in upholstery – unprotected (aniline) and protected (semi aniline and pigmented). Each provides a different appearance and feel, and both surfaces will slowly change over time to give your furniture a unique finish. Check the label for the type of finish used in your upholstery, and if you can’t find it, check the manufacturer’s website for the product details. Next, gather your cleaning supplies.
As stated above, cleaning your leather should normally require little more than a cloth and a vacuum. However, for the optimal finish, here are the tools you will require.

ORGANIC, NON-DETERGENT LIQUID SOAP, OR A SPECIALIZED LEATHER CLEANER CLEAN MICROFIBRE CLOTHS VACUUM CLEANER WITH BRUSH ATTACHMENT LEATHER CONDITIONER Once you’ve gathered your materials and identified the finish of the leather material, you can begin cleaning your upholstery.

2. Vacuum clean the exterior.

With the brush attachment, thoroughly clear any dust and dirt from your upholstery. Be sure to explore your furniture’s nooks and crannies and leave no mess behind.

3. Wipe with a cloth.

This is where the approach diverges based on the type of leather in use. Unprotected leather will not respond to water as well as protected leather, so wipe thoroughly with a dry microfibre cloth. Protected leather can withstand moisture, but should not be left wet, so after cleaning it with a microfibre cloth wettened in a solution of non-detergent soap and water, be sure to dry it thoroughly with a separate clean, dry cloth.

4. Treat with leather conditioner.

Leather is hardy and durable enough to survive decades with minimal maintenance, but to keep your upholstery looking its best, we advise intermittent treatment with leather conditioner. When choosing a commercial leather conditioner, be sure to check the ingredients and avoid products that contain wax or silicone as these can make your finish feel sticky. Apply a coat of leather conditioner once or twice a year to keep your upholstery moisturised and healthy.
Leather is special among upholstery materials, as rather than becoming worn and tired with use, it developed its own unique patina and grows more beautiful and refined with time. Regularly cleaning and caring for your leather furniture will make sure it will continue looking its best for years to come.

If you have any queries, concerns or even some furniture care tips of your own that you think should be included in our guide, please get in touch!