Furniture care
To optimize the performance of the furniture, we suggest the following precautions:
Wood
Wood is a material that is constantly changing. It can expand or contract due to variations in ambient temperature and humidity. For these characteristics it is suggested:
- Do not place hot objects on the surface of the furniture.
- Avoid rocking and extreme pressure on the furniture.
- The ideal room temperature is 16 – 24 C.
- Do not place the furniture directly in the sun, this can cause a color change, wear, or cracks.
- Use products specialized in wood care.
- Never apply acetone, alcohol, solvents, or derivatives on the wood.
- Use soft and damp flannels, free of residues that could damage the material.
- The finish of the pieces in collection 5 is a combination of lime oil and natural beeswax, the wood will naturally absorb the finish over time and use. Eventually, it will be necessary in all cases to give it extra waxing coats.
Fabrics
Several types of textile fibers act according to their characteristics. In any case, it is recommended:
- Do not experiment with cleaning difficult stains, it is better to put them in the hands of specialized personnel
- Dry clean, with foam or neutral detergents.
- Use soft fiber brushes that do not damage the fabric or cloths that do not leave residues.
- Do not rub the fabric, just gently squeeze it.
- Do not expose the furniture directly to the sun, rain, or strong wind.
In the case of having purchased furniture with Sunbrella fabrics, consider these aspects when there is dirt or stains:
- Brush off loose dirt.
- Spray on a mild soap and water cleaning solution.
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
- Let the cleaning solution soak into the fabric.
- Rinse well until all soap residue is removed.
- Air dry
Metals & Brass
For the care of the furniture’s metal parts, it is recommended to use special products for metal cleaning.
- Never use hard fibers that can scratch the metal, instead clean with soft cloths.
- Do not expose the metal to constant humidity to avoid corrosion and oxidation.
Brass cleaning and maintenance:
- Wipe with a slightly damp soft cloth to remove dust or fingerprints without scratching it.
- If it is necessary (and maybe once a month) for the brass to regain its appearance, in case it becomes dull after having been cleaned several times in the manner indicated above, do the same with a soft cloth but using a little silicone or liquid furniture wax (sold in supermarkets). Use only a little of the product, and rub gently in the direction of the satin finish of the brass and once dry, remove with another soft and clean cloth.
- All the brass pieces that are delivered have a transparent varnish anticorrosive protection applied to protect it, however, care must be taken that cleaning this layer does not scratch or dull.
Leather
Leather comes from an animal that therefore has its characteristic limitations. Next, we list some of the marks that can originate in the skin that are classified as natural marks (they are those that are generated during the life of the animal).
Natural Markings
- Horsefly: They appear as a series of holes through the entire thickness of the skin, on the back of the animal. This scarring is less noticeable since it can be disguised by etching.
- Insect Bites: Sometimes the finish covers them and fills them.
- Flanks (Claws): This causes the fibers of the skin to tend to adapt to different situations.
- Flank skin shows pieces of “hair” down the side of the meat.
- Neck Marks: The animal resembles lines that can vary in length and depth, as well as they can be accompanied by pores of different intensities.
- Fleshing: Fleshing are areas of the leather with thinner areas detected on the meat side.
- Flower Rupture: It is caused by the overstretching that occurs in some processes to the leather. It is characterized by the small cracks formed on the surface of the skin.
- Open Scar: It is a cut that occurs after the animal has died or just before it dies and no longer has a chance to heal.
- Closed Scar: It occurs when the animal is alive and therefore has a chance to heal.
- Iron: Iron is marked as a scar on the leather, which can be seen on the flesh side and grain
- side of the skin, impossible to hide.
- Hump: It is observed as a hole in the central part of the croup or loin.
- Corns: Corns are circular in shape and firm in consistency.
- Scabies burn: Scabies results in rough scars and prominent pores caused by scabies.
- Manure burn: Manure irritates the skin, resulting in a rough, uneven grain.
- Grain variation or different grain structure: It occurs in different areas of the leather and is characterized by small wrinkles on the surface of the leather.
- Pores: A greater finishing application is required when the flower part is very porous.
- Veins: Veins can be diminished in a drying process called draining and deveining.
- Fold: It happens when you exert pressure or weight on a sheet of skin. This is most noticeable in wax and oil-based articles.
- Clear Points: They are natural marks of the animal, which even with the finish can be noticed in the final product.
- Lumps: This is presented with a contaminated finish.
Cleaning:
- Wipe leather furniture with a clean, dry microfiber cloth frequently to avoid the accumulation of dust, never letting the water soak into the leather.
Vacuuming:
- Vacuum with a soft bristle brush and vacuum between and under all cushions. (If you can remove the cushions, and do so to make the vacuum more effective).
Spills:
- When something spills on the upholstery you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent it from getting into the leather.
- Use a dry cloth or sponge to absorb as much of the spilled liquid as possible, do not rub it, just dry it, only using a damp cloth if necessary. Use as little water as possible to clean up the spill, then pat the area dry.
- Avoid using fibers or stiff bristle brushes, as you will end up ripping or scratching the material.
- If the stain is very serious, it is better to consult a professional so as not to make it worse.
- For oil or grease stains, wipe off the excess with a clean, dry cloth, the stain should dissipate on the leather after a short period.
- To uniform shine or liquids, use special creams for tanned skins, the chamois are treated with different products.
- Detergents, solvents, general-purpose cleaning sprays, ammonia, bleach, and furniture polish can be harmful to leather furniture.
Care:
- Protect the furniture from the sun, direct light, direct air conditioning, and heat sources as the skin can become discolored and dehydrated, forming cracks and breaks.
- Some practices apply heat to eliminate or reduce wrinkles, this can ruin the paint on the surface.
- We suggest you buy moisturizing products that are specifically designed for leather, and avoid using conventional creams. Otherwise, the result could be counterproductive.
Chair Back
Care and Cleaning:
- Protect the furniture from the sun and direct light, the skin can become discolored, dehydrated, forming cracks and breaks.
- Dust dry with microfiber, only if necessary with a damp cloth, without soaking the skin and without exerting pressure. Do not wash with soap and water (only in extreme cases pumpkin soap applied with a damp sponge in a rotary way) and let it dry with a dry cloth to even out
the shine.
- For minor stains and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. Do not use soap or soak the stain with water as it can cause more damage than the stain itself.
- For oil or grease stains, wipe off the excess with a clean, dry cloth, then leave it alone as the the stain should dissipate on the leather after a short period.
- If the stain persists, it is recommended to have it checked by a skin specialist to clean it thoroughly to avoid any potential damage to it.
- For light scratches use a chamois cloth to gently clean the scratch.
- Avoid using cleaning solvents, furniture polishes, oils, varnishes, abrasive cleaners, soap, detergent, water with ammonia; do not use chemicals or abrasive products such as alcohols or multipurpose items.
- Do not place the furniture near heat sources, so that the skin does not dry out, making it brittle or hard.
- Moisten the skin every 2 months or when required (depending on use and conditions) with a commercial moisturizing cream, first wipe the skin with a clean, dry, and white cloth (that does not remove specks), apply a small amount of cream on the cloth and let it dry for a few minutes. Proceed to rub gently to even out the shine.
Bejuco
Bejuco is a natural fiber, for these characteristics, it is suggested for its care and cleaning:
- Protect furniture from the sun and direct light. and avoid exposing the furniture to rain.
- The fabric can be cleaned with a damp cloth (but not wet) if it is necessary to use a soft bristle brush and rub, without scrubbing in the direction of the fabric (normally it is horizontal), at the end it should be dried with a dry cloth to prevent moisture build-up or mold growth.
- To clean spills of colored liquids, for example, wine, wash with soap and water using a soft bristle brush and repeat the drying steps of the fabric.
- Care must be taken not to subject the furniture to very high heat sources since it can be flammable, however, the fabric has a varnish with retarding action.
- To remove dust, use a soft cloth or a soft brush, avoiding the use of chemicals.