Care & Maintenance
We have put together this resource to help you keep your furniture looking great for as long as possible.
Care of Your Furniture
These notes are intended for guidance only
RHA Furniture Ltd makes no express or implied warranty regarding the success of the care and cleaning guidelines described below. For any type of fabric cleaning, we recommend that a professional upholstery cleaner be contacted.
Your furniture is intended for contract use but we would respectfully point out that it is still furniture.
GOOD CARE MEANS YOUR FURNITURE WILL LOOK BETTER AND LAST LONGER. The following information provides useful guidelines and suggestions for the care of fabric, leather, & wood furniture.
To outline our advice; please DO NOT
- Put very hot serving dishes directly onto table or credenza tops – always use a protector. Commercial lacquers will withstand heat from coffee cups and tea cups and alcohol spills but not metal pots froms the burner!
- Allow liquid and food spills to wait over night on upholstery for the cleaners the next morning. Even if fabrics are stain treated they will not be able to withstand long term spillage.
- Drop wooden chairs hard onto one leg when stacking or moving around. Wood is a natural material and can split in the grain if dropped on a corner.
- Bang table edges together when moving tables together. This applies especially to glass tops but equally to wooden or granite.
- Allow liquds to remain on wooden tabletops for some time. They must be wiped and polished off so that seepage does not occur into joints.
- Clean surfaces with wax polishes and spray. Instead cleaning should be carried out using a damp cloth (not soaked) and then buff dry immediately.
This information has been obtained from professional furniture cleaning specialists, dry cleaning experts, home economists and furniture manufactures. It is hoped the suggestions for care and cleaning of your furniture will provide a guide to assist you in obtaining longer wear and greater pleasure from your furniture.
Please review all of the information that relates to your situation before you decide on any cleaning method. Regarding upholstered furniture, because of the wide variety of fabrics and fibre combinations, there can be no guarantee that results will always be completely successful. Users of any of the suggested methods do so on their own responsibility.
General Care Tips
For years they’ve been making this little attachment for vacuum cleaners called an upholstery brush. It works great on the car seats, so why not try it in your hotel. Your vacuum cleaner also has an attachment used for dusting drapes and furniture. It has longer bristles and is less abrasive to your upholstery fabric. You might want to use this brush versus the upholstery brush if your fabric deserves a softer brushing.
Professional cleaning is the best way to make a slightly soiled sofa look new again, but once a week vacuuming will make professional cleaning a less frequent event. Be sure to dust vacuum the top surfaces as often as possible (i.e. seat cushions, the tops of the arms, the top of the back, etc.)
- If the cushion are reversible, reverse them each week after vacuuming.
- Vacuum often (once a week) to remove grit that can cause abrasion. Never brush any fabric with a stiff fibre or metal brush, since each is destructive to the fibres.
- Cushions and pillows filled with down, or similar cushioning material, should be hand-fluffed and reversed regularly to retain original softness and resiliency.
- Protect fabrics from the sun, direct sunlight will fade any fabric. Fabrics should not be placed in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light (sunlight) will cause fibre degeneration and colour-fade. Occasionally, dyes can fade from impurities within the air.
- Hot surfaces should not be placed directly in contact with the furniture. Always use an insulated mat.
- Keep pets off the furniture. Pet urine and pet body oil can be difficult to remove.
- Use proper care with structural weave fabrics (design created by the weave) to protect against snags.
- Rearrange the furniture occasionally to ensure even use of the cushions and wear areas.
- Caution those wearing clothing with transferable dyes, such as blue jeans, etc., that the dye could transfer onto light-colour furniture.
Cleaning Instructions
As a general rule, when a spill occurs, it is important to clean the fabric immediately. The longer a spot remains, the harder it is to remove; it may even become permanent. This also applies to laminate furniture as well.
Blot! Don’t rub. If the spill is still “fresh”, use a clean, dry and very absorbent 100% cotton cloth. Should you have to use paper towels to blot out spills be sure the paper towel (or cloth) is white as colours in the towel may, when applied to a wet surface, fade onto the upholstery. Colour from one fabric can rub off onto another fabric, even when dry, a process known in the industry as “crocking”. If blotting with a dry cloth doesn’t quite finish the job, use the instructions provided here.
Gently scrape away any excess solid matter or liquid using a dull-edge spoon.
- Pre-test the cleaner you intend to use in a hidden area for colour loss and fabric complatibility, Look for faded colours, shrinkage or dark rings; these are signs of incompatibility.
- If possible, place a clean white cloth under the area to be cleaned, such as the inside of the seat cushion. It will be absorb the soil and produce better results.
- Apply a small amount of cleaner to a soft, clean white cloth. Begin at the edge of the stain and work toward the centre, turning the cloth often. Blot-don’t rub-the stain as rubbing can roughen the delicate fibres and leave the fabric looking worn and faded. Apply the solution to the surface of the stain or spill and allow it to slightly saturate the fabric. Water based solutions should be mixed with distilled water to eliminate possible fading due to bleach in the water or discoloration’s or “rings” caused by excess minerals found in tap water. Be careful not to allow the solution to penetrate and saturate the inner seat cushion or back pillows. The fabric should be generously moist, but not to the point that the fillers used under the fabric become saturated. Use a clean, soft, absorbent, and colourless towel to blot the spill. This wicking action will further lift the spill from the interior fibres. Also, remember to use cool or cold solutions. Never use HOT solutions or HOT water that could cause fading or fabric shrinking.
- After cleaning, “feather” the edges of the spot by brushing gently back and forth with a dry cloth. Dry quickly with a fan. This will help prevent ringing.
- Keep a small stain small! A cotton swab, dipped into the proper cleaning solution and squeezed out, will pick up the dissolved stain, stopping it from spreading (this is a good fix for small ballpoint ink marks).
- If your first attempt does not remove the spot, you may want to repeat steps three through five a second time.
Stain Removal Guide
Some stubborn spots may not respond well to the blotting technique described above. The following hints may help. As noted earlier, you should follow the furniture manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines where applicable. Always pre-test the cleaner in a hidden area.
Fabric Stain Removal Chart:
Ketchup, Chocolate, Cream/Milk, Earth, Blood, Excrement, Ice Cream, Mayonnaise, Mucus/Drool, Cheese, Egg, Soy Sauce, White Glue:
Use a solution of bleach free liquid enzyme cleaner (laundry detergents), 1 part to 20 parts distilled water, rinse by blotting with distilled water, blot to remove excess water, then dry quickly with a fan.
Berries, Coffee, fruit Juice, Jam/Jelly, Soft drinks, Candy, Tea, Mixed Drinks, Wine, Urine:
Use a solution of mild, bleach-free detergent, 1 part to 30 parts distilled water. If some of the stain remains, use a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts distilled water. Blot to remove excess moisture, then dry quickly with a fan.
Crayon, Asphalt, Body Oil, Butter, Oil, Lipstick, Makeup, Gravy, Hair Oil, Mascara, Shoe Polish, Shortening, Tar, Felt-Tip Pen Ink, Vaseline:
Use a water-free, dry cleaning solvent. You may have to repeat the procedure until stain is gone. Dry quickly with a fan when the stain is removed.
Leather Care
Fine leather is soft and luxurious, making it an ideal choice for furniture. Leather is a natural wonder. It breathes … won’t stretch out of shape … and needs little care during normal use. Natural marks and scars are proudly exhibited as normal characteristics of genuine leather. With the right care, leather improves with age, providing many years of enjoyable use. Even the best leather, however, is subject to damage. Different types of leather require different care and maintenance products. If you are uncertain about the type of leather you have, check with your salesperson or contact the store where you purchased the item. As a general rule of thumb, pre-test all of the care products in a hidden area to make sure they are compatible with the leather.
General Leather Care Tips:
To maintain the rich, natural look of your leather furniture, we offer the following general recommendations:
- Avoid using or placing sharp objects on leather goods. Leather is very durable, but not accident or damage proof.
- Place your furniture a minimum of two feet from radiators and other heat sources.
- Protect your leather furniture from direct and even indirect sunlight. Some leathers, such as full and semi-aniline, will fade over time.
- Avoid air pollution such as cigar or cigarette smoke and cooking fumes, which can cause leather to fade or change colour.
- Keep leather free from dust by dusting with a cloth, preferably once a week. Use a soft, dry cloth to prevent any build up of dirt, dust, crumbs, etc. For routine cleaning, thoroughly dampen a clean dry cloth with a solution of a mild soap and water. Wring it out well. To avoid any spots, be sure to moisten the entire surface evenly and lightly.
- Blot spills up immediately. Most liquids will be initially repelled by the leather, but if left to stand over an extended period of time, they will be absorbed. That’s why it is a good idea to wipe spills immediately. If the spill is absorbed, it will dissipate over
time, much as a human skin will absorb and eventually diffuse stains.
If there is a spot or spill, here are some stain removal tips…
Spots and Spills – Blot excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use clear, lukewarm water and gently wipe the spill. Be sure to moisten the entire surface evenly and lightly. If water is used to wipe the spill, clean the entire area where the spill occurred. For example, the entire seat cushion or entire arm. Dry with a clean towel and allow to air dry. Never use heat or a hair dryer to dry the leather.
Stubborn Spots and Stains – Use a mild solution of Ivory soap and clear, lukewarm water. Apply the soap to a clean, wet sponge and wash, then rinse well and let the leather air dry naturally. Always try the cleaning method in a hidden area first, to be sure it’s colourfast.
Butter, Oil or Grease – Wipe excess off the leather with a clean, dry cloth, then leave it alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather in a short period of time. Do not use water, soap, or a leather cleaner to try to remove a butter, oil or grease stain (e.g. popcorn grease or salad dressing).
Never Use – Saddle soaps, oils, all purpose cleaners, furniture polish, varnish, ammonia water, or solvents. Use of these products could damage the finish. Modern tanning techniques do not require such products. Most spills will blot up easily with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Wood Care
- Staining timbers or veneers to a sample or existing furniture is not recommended, as we are not able to guarantee continuity of colour over a large area, and between different timbers and veneers. It should also be remembered that most natural timbers change colour on exposure to light. The amount and speed of change varies according to the species of the timber, the length of exposure and the intensity of the light. It is therefore likely that there will be initial colour mismatch between new items of furniture and those that have been in for some time. This colour difference will even out over a period of time.
Wood furniture represents a significant investment. To maintain its beauty and help it last, wood furniture needs regular and proper care. Most wood furniture is finished with a fine lacquer or warmish. It has a sheen or gloss ranging from high to low, depending on the finishing materials the manufacturer has selected. The finish adds to the beauty of the wood and protects it. No finish is totally indestructible, but with regular care and the proper use of furniture care products (polish and cleaner) it will last much longer, providing years of satisfaction and enjoyment.
General Wood Care Tips
- Common sense is just what the name implies: don’t do anything that will cause the furniture to be damaged. For example, be very careful when vacuuming the carpets not to hit the furniture bases or table legs. Don’t set abrasive items such as cardboard boxes, grocery bags, ceramic lamps, ashtrays, etc. on a finished surface. Be careful when an item such as a plate is lifted from the table. A fork falling from a plate can seriously dent the tabletop. Hot items, such as a dish just removed from the oven, can blister or darken the finish. Use a hot pad or a table pad under the tablecloth to prevent this. Don’t wait to wipe up spills or to clean up after a party.
- Lift and place objects, do not drag them across the furniture surface.
- Dust frequently to remove everyday abrasive particles from wood surfaces. Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, such as an old white T-shirt.
- In addition to regular dusting, wood surfaces also benefit from occasional polishing to remove smudges and particles and enhance the appearance of the piece.
- Clean up spills immediately. Use a blotting action rather than a wiping action.
- Do not expose furniture to continuous direct sunlight. With extended exposure, ultraviolet rays can create hairline cracks in the finish or cause fading, bleaching or darkening. We recommend arranging your furniture away from direct sunlight and using window treatments (sunscreens, drapes, or blinds) to block the sun’s rays.
- Avoid extremes in room humidity. Too high or too low humidity can cause wood to warp or the glue lines to fail.
- Avoid extreme changes in temperature. Arrange furniture away from radiators, and air-conditioning units. Hot blasts of air, such as those from a central heating vent, should be avoided, because they cause extreme localised drying of the wood.
- • Rotate accessories on furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all of the time. Many wood finishes need to “breathe” to maintain their appearance and durability. The furniture finish should have exposure to the air, rather than being covered for extended periods of time. Periodically move desktop components such as computer equipment, audio/video components, clocks, staplers, etc.
- Rubber, plastic, or vinyl products can stain or cause furniture finishes to soften. Avoid leaving plastic tablecloths and placemats on a wood surface for extended periods of time. Chemical components in the plastic can damage finishes. Affix felt discs on the contact points of computer equipment, alarm clocks, lamps, telephones and other desktop items. The plastic, rubber or nylon feet on these items may contain chemicals that can migrate into the finish, causing indentations, softening and discoloration.
- Use pads, cloth or felt to protect the furniture surface from hot dishes, beverages, bookends, flower pots and vases.
- Use a protective pad when writing with a ballpoint pen. Protect the surface when working with items which could stain or damage the wood, such as crayons, markers and glue.
- Make minor repairs while they are still small. Use the proper materials or professional help to repair badly damaged surfaces.
- For Teak, rub down with very fine sand paper, preferably 400 grains. Then use teak oil to rub over surface and impregnate with sponge and leave to dry. Teak furniture should be maintained every year to keep in good condition.
Cleaning Instructions: Furniture care means knowing the quickest and simplest methods, and the newest and best products to keep furniture attractive and new looking. It means a minimum of fuss and bother, even though there are many types of surfaces to maintain.
Dusting - Dust often to remove everyday abrasive particles from wood surfaces.
- Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. (Remember to wipe with the grain!)
- Do not use a sponge or dishcloth on your fine wood furniture. Note that feather dusters scatter the dust particles into the air, which then resettle back on your furniture.
- Moisten the cloth slightly with water, since a damp cloth cuts down on friction, avoids scratches and holds dust. It also helps reduce static electricity which attracts dust. Do not let any moisture remain on the wood surface.
- When dusting, always pick up your accessories and replace them gently.
We do not recommend polishes but if you have to use, be sure to avoid those that contain silicone. Silicone oil is an ingredient used by many furniture polish makers to create a high degree of shine. Silicone seeps into even the most lacquered finishes, making it difficult to remove. Should it become necessary to refinish a piece of furniture, silicone makes it a very difficult process- even for a professional refinisher. Most furniture manufacturers recommend using polishes that do not contain silicone.
Most of today’s fine lacquer finishes do not benefit from waxing. Regular use of wax-type polishes may result in the build-up of wax film on the surface of the furniture. This build-up may then pick up dirt, smoke and other pollutants in the air, which may result in smudges and streaks. Used long enough, this may cause the finish to soften, requiring expensive refinishing work. Wax build-up over time hardens, making it difficult to remove from the furniture’s finish.
Corian®
Preventing Heat and Other Damage
Although Corian® is quite resistant to heat, you should always use a hot pad or a trivet with rubber feet to protect Corian®. Hot pans, as well as some heat-generating appliances like frying pans or electric cooking pots, can damage the surface if a hot pad or trivet is not used.
In most cases, Corian® can be repaired if it is accidentally damaged. However, be sure to follow these guidelines to prevent any permanent damage to Corian®.
- Avoid exposing Corian® to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.
- Remove nail polish with a non-acetone-based polish remover and flush with water.
- Do not cut directly on Corian® countertops.
Removing Stains & Fixing Scratches or Burns
Nicks, scratches and cuts are inevitable with any high-use product, including Corian®. But because Corian® is solid all the way through, it is easy to renew to its original appearance as described below.
Minor damage, including scratches, general or chemical stains, scorches or burns, and minor impact marks, can be repaired on-site with a light abrasive cleanser and a product such as a Scotch-Brita* pad. For heavier damage, light sanding may be necessary.
The following steps should be followed:
- Identify the extent of the damage and ascertain whether a minor repair will solve the problem. You may want to consult with your supplier of Corian®.
- If the damage is minor, try to repair it with an abrasive cleanser or a product such as a Scotch-Brita* pad.
- If the above step is unsuccessful, hand-sand with 400-grit wet and dry paper. To minimise dust, wet the surface before starting.
- If this is unsuccessful, use an electric sander and heavier-grit paper. Always make provisions to control dust.
- If this, too, is unsuccessful, you may need to consult a professional for other repair options. In this case, contact your supplier of Corian® for assistance.
Marble
To minimize wear, always use coasters, trivets and felt pads. However, over time your marble surface will develop a rich patina, with variations in colour and tone. This is part of marble’s inherent beauty.
Cleaning Instructions: Clean regularly with a warm damp cloth and wipe dry. For additional cleaning, use a mix of water and mild dish soap and wipe dry. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, chemical solvents, strong detergents and furniture polish. DO NOT use vinegar, lemon juice or cleaners containing acids.
ACIDIC LIQUIDS WILL CORRODE THE MARBLE
On the surface has been applied a sealant which should resist most common liquids but avoid spilling if possible and when it occurs clean immediately.
Glass
Normally all glass supplied by RHA Furniture is toughened, which means that if it is broken it will shatter into hundreds of tiny pieces without sharp edges. Toughened does not mean indestructible and if the glass is hit with a sharp and hard object in certain areas it will shatter, therefore all glass should be treated with respect.
Clean glass with a soft cloth and glass spray. Do not use sponge or abrasive compound which could scratch the glass surface. After cleaning dry immediately to avoid marks or cleanser left-over on the surface.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel furniture is primarily popular for its elegant lustre and low maintenance but if you want to keep it beautiful and shiny, you are highly recommended to avoid putting anything on the furniture that might mark it and to clean your stainless steel furniture properly and regularly.
To prevent staining, clean your stainless steel furniture on a daily basis with a damp cloth and wipe dry with soft cloth. To remove burned food, grease, oil and other stubborn grimes, use warm water and few drops of liquid dish soap which is strong enough to remove the grime but gentle enough not to damage the surface of your stainless steel furniture.
Stainless steel also does not require any harsh chemicals nor any special products to keep it beautiful. In fact, harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers and scrubbing sponges can damage the surface of your stainless steel furniture and for that reason you should use a soft cloth and mild detergent only no matter how stubborn the grime.
Should you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact RHA Furniture Ltd and we will endeavor to help you the best we can.