Product Care Guide
CARE TIPS FOR TEXTILES/FABRICS
- Vacuum the surface of your furniture regularly, including the deck under the cushions, with the upholstery attachments of your vacuum cleaner.
- Direct sunlight can cause the fabrics to fade. Care should be taken to limit the amount of direct sun on any piece of furniture.
- Loose cushions should be flipped and rotated frequently to minimize soiling and add to the longevity of your upholstery.
- All spills should be cleaned immediately, start by blotting the spill using a clean, absorbent cloth. If stain remains, please follow the care instructions below according to the type of fabric on your upholstery.
- To successfully clean fabric, it is important to determine the type of fabric and the recommended cleaning code. The cleaning code for your upholstery can be found on the law tag attached to the furniture. Always pretest an inconspicuous area of the upholstery before spot cleaning.
- The use of after-market slipcovers may impact the integrity of your upholstery including stretching, pilling, and discoloration.
- If you have purchased an after-market Stain Protection System, please consult the retailer or Stain Protection provider for cleaning instructions.
CAUTION
Never remove cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or laundering. Do not use bleach, any tumble method cleaning service as this may destroy the backing of the fabric, shrink, or otherwise damage the upholstery fabric.
CONSUMER ALERT
Keep your furniture and family safe from fires caused by careless smoking. Do not smoke when lying down or drowsy. Always check the furniture where smokers have been sitting for improperly discarded smoking materials. Ashes and lighted cigarettes can fall unnoticed behind or between cushions or under furniture. Do not place or leave ashtrays on the arms of chairs where they can be knocked off. Remove immediately any glowing ember or lighted cigarette that has fallen on furniture. Smoldering smoking materials can cause upholstered furniture fires.
CARE TIPS FOR HARDGOODS
To maintain its beauty and help it last, wood furniture needs the right care. Many products are finished with two to three coats of lacquer for extra depth and long-lasting durability. The sheen, or gloss, of the finish ranges from high to low, depending on the piece or collection. The finish protects the wood and adds to its beauty. No finish is totally indestructible. But with regular care, the finish will last much longer, providing years of enjoyment to you.
TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR YOUR FURNITURE, WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING:
- Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight, as sunlight causes fading.
- Avoid extreme changes in temperature by arranging furniture away from radiators, heat and air vents and air conditioning units.
- Avoid placing plastic or rubber materials (lamp bases, notebooks, placemats, etc.) on your furniture, as certain plastics contain ingredients that may damage the finish.
- Periodically rotate accessories on furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all the time.
- Use pads, cloth or felt to protect the furniture surface from plastic, rubber, hot dishes, beverages, bookends, flowerpots and vases.
- Clean up spills immediately. Use a blotting rather than a wiping action. Water left over a long period of time will cause white spots in the finish. Alcohol, perfume, after-shave and medications can cause severe finish damage.
- Use a protective pad when writing with a ballpoint pen on the furniture surface.
- Lift and place objects rather than dragging them across the furniture surface.
- Avoid placing furniture directly under windows.
CLEANING AND POLISHING YOUR FURNITURE
We recommend dusting frequently with a clean, soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Clean the surface by rubbing in the direction of the grain. We recommend polishing your furniture approximately every six months, using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth and rubbing the polish in the direction of the grain.
Some of our products feature a high-gloss finish. These items require extra care to prevent dust and smudges from being overly apparent. Be especially careful to avoid scratching high gloss finishes by using a feather duster or very soft, clean cloths and wiping with minimal pressure.
CARE PRODUCTS
There are three basic types of furniture care products: silicone cleaners, waxes and polishes. We recommend avoiding silicone cleaners and waxes. While silicone cleaners create a high degree of shine, silicone seeps into even the highest-quality finishes, creating a barrier that will not accept stain or lacquer. This makes it virtually impossible to refinish or touch-up your furniture.
Waxes should be avoided because their regular use may result in a build-up of wax film on the surface of the furniture. This build-up could actually attract dirt, smoke and other pollutants in the air, resulting in smudges and streaks. Also, many waxes contain grit that can permanently damage furniture surfaces if used improperly.
Polishes, which we recommend, contain detergents, emulsifiers and mineral oil. The detergents clean dirt from the furniture, the emulsifiers give it body to clean and last longer and the mineral oil is left behind as a barrier for dirt and moisture that could harm finishes. There's no grit to harm the finish, no wax to build up and no silicone to raise the sheen and act as a barrier for touch-up and refinishing.
FURNITURE PROBLEM SOLVING
Cleaning Marble: Use mild, non-abrasive detergent and water Removing Stains from Marble: Use soap and water or stain removing poulticing powders from your local home improvement center.
Removing Stains from Glass: Pour 3 parts vinegar and 1 part ammonia onto the stained area and let stand for 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the severity of the stain. Wash off with soap and water followed by a glass cleaner.
Cleaning Wood Furniture: Guardsman furniture polish or any furniture polish that doesn't contain silicone is recommended.
Please contact our team if you have any questions regarding the above information at support@decordirectinteriors.com.