Care and Maintenance Basics

Laminate Table Tops

Wipe with a damp cloth soaked with soapy water. For stubborn marks a careful application of a non-abrasive cleaning cream can be used, but test a concealed area first.

Solid & Vaneered Table Tops and Tables

Use a warm, damp and slightly soapy cloth to wipe over. Do not use any spray cleaners as they can damage the protection of the lacquer finish or use wax as a build up can occur and spoil the appearance of the finish.

Leather Surfaces

Do not use chemicals, detergents or furniture polish. Leather can be cleaned with a damp cloth or a tepid solution of soap flakes (i.e. pure soap). Apply to the surface of the leather in a light circular motion until the dirty parts are clean & then repeat with clean water. Remember leather can have natural imperfections which does not affect the durability of the product. The use of saddle soap, wax polishes or spray polishes should be avoided. Look for more details on care and maintenence of leather surfaces below.

Marble Table Tops

Wipe tops with a clean slightly damp cloth. A proprietary wax polish may be sparingly applied to assist in overcoming this natural material’s tendency to stain.

Upholstered Surfaces

Regular, careful vacuum cleaning is advised. Stains can generally be removed by sponging with clear, lukewarm water. Always attend to stains as rapidly as practically possible. If in doubt, consult a professional cleaning contractor.

 

Fabric Care & Cleaning

Spot Cleaning

Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since overzealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, water marking and possible wetting of substructure (this may create other stains or damage products).

1. For non oil-based stains. Blot stain with a soft towel or scrape away the substance. Pre-test the cleaning method on a hidden part of the furniture, using warm water and Vanish Soap (a bar of soap available from most supermarkets). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again, then work out from the centre of the stain. Dry quickly to prevent rings forming using a hair dryer or talcum powder. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas. This process should remove most general stains.

2. For oil-based stains. We recommend a dry cleaning solvent which should remove oil based stains from the furniture. Apply a similar
process as above and ensure the cleaning is done in full panels not spot cleaned.

Alcoholic Beverages

After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

Blood

Mix one teaspoon of ammonia in a cup of cold water and apply it sparingly to the spot. Blot with a clean towel. Repeat the procedure until the spot is gone. Then dab the area with cool water and blot. Wait 15 minutes and moisten the area again with white distilled vinegar. Blot thoroughly with a dry towel.

Chewing Gum

Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden it, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what is left, use dry cleaning fluid.

Chocolate & Soft Sweets

This is a combination greasy/non greasy stain. Scrape excess away, and then go over the spot with cool water mixed with a liquid detergent. Blot thoroughly and then clean with dry cleaning fluid.

Clothing & Accessory Dyes

Certain clothing and accessory dyes (such as those used to dye jeans) may migrate onto lighter coloured fabrics and vinyl. This phenomenon is increased by humidity and temperature.  Clean according to the recommended cleaning guidelines of that fabric, however this type of stain is often irreversible.

Coffee, Tea & Cosmetics

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Fruit & Fruit Juices

After excess is blotted up or scraped away, blot the spot with cool water. If a stain remains, add liquid detergent and a drop of vinegar to the water. Dab the spot with this mixture and blot until there is no trace of a stain. Then go over the area lightly with clear water to remove traces of vinegar.

Grease

(including hair grease and oil): Scrape away excess if necessary and then dab repeatedly at the stain with dry cleaning fluid. If any
stain remains, go over the area with a lukewarm mixture of liquid detergent and water. Always make sure you use a clean portion so you don’t put the stain back in the fabric. Last, go over the area with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.

Ink

Moisten with warm glycerine. Leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Flush out with water, dry quickly.

Shoe Polish

Apply liquid paraffin to loosen the stain, and then sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

Milk & Vomit

Blot or scrape away the excess, then take a clean soft cloth and blot. Apply cool clear water to the area, blotting frequently. Then blot with a detergent solution to which you’ve added a small amount of ammonia. Blot dry and wait a few minutes. Go over the area with dry cleaning fluid, blot dry. Finally, blot the area lightly with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Soft Drinks, Sweets & Syrups

Sponge with water, add warm glycerine and work into stain. Flush out with water, dry.

Urine

It is especially important to treat this stain right away, before the urine dries. Otherwise, the urine may react with the fabric dyes
and cause permanent discolouration. First, dab at the stain with a solution of white vinegar and water and blot dry. Then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and cool water, blotting frequently and with a dry cloth to avoid saturating the fabric. Finally, dab the spot with clear cool water and blot thoroughly.

Water Spots

Blot thoroughly and then dampen the entire spot with clear white vinegar. Wait a few minutes. When the area is dry, moisten it again with clear water, blotting with a dry cloth after every application of the damp cloth. If the fabric has a pile, brush in the direction of the pile when it is dry.

Macrosuede & Macrosoft – Cleaning

Macrosuede and Macro-soft both respond well to cleaning tests using some of the most common household stains such as red wine, tea/coffee, chocolate, shoe polish, make-up and ink. For Spot Cleaning, follow instructions detailed above. For non oil-based stains: Pre-test the cleaning method on a hidden part of the furniture, using warm water and non toilet soap (eg. Vanish). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again, then with a hair dryer working out from the centre of the stain, dry quickly to prevent rings forming. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas. For oil based stains: Following the same basic guidelines as above, apply a proprietary brand solvent based cleaner and generally try to ensure the cleaning is done in full panels – not spot cleaned. A helpful industry ‘secret’ is for the spot removal of oil based biro marks by the application of a conventional hairspray!

Faux Leather / PVC Coated Fabrics Care & Cleaning

Day to day maintenance requires nothing more than wiping down with a clean, damp cloth with regular cleaning recommended to keep the fabric looking good for longer. Regularly brush using a soft-headed brush to remove normal dust or gently vacuum away loose dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabric.

Clean spillages and stains by initially blotting up any excess liquid with a tissue, do not leave to dry onto the surface. Use a little fresh water and a microfibre cloth to gently clean. Do not rub stain deeper into fabric.

For stubborn or dried in stains use water with a little pH neutral liquid soap (max 5% solution), repeat if necessary. Do not soak or overwet the fabric and ensure all soap residue is removed to avoid fabric discoloration and odour. After cleaning ensure fabric surface is left dry.

DEEP CLEANING DISINFECTING FAUX LEATHER

These fabrics have good antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which minimise the build-up and activity of bacteria and viruses, however if disinfection cleaning is required the following methods can be used:

  • Antibacterial wipes and sprays suitable for upholstery can be used following manufacturers guidelines.
  • 5% bleach (sodium hypochlorite) solution. Please note excessive and prolonged use may cause colour fading over time.
  • Steam cleaning can be used taking care not to exceed a contact temperature of 80 degrees centigrade.
  • Alcohol disinfectant, 75% solution.

Avoid scratching. Protect from direct sunlight. Keep at a minimum of 30cm away from direct heat source. Do not clean with hot water extraction machine. Do not wet excessively. Not suitable for dry cleaning or machine washing. Do not use abrasive cleaners, strong bleach, strong chemicals, toxic substances, acids, oils, strong solvents, wax or polish as they can remove the varnish.

Please note that ink stains made by ballpoint pens can only be reduced, not removed. Certain clothing and accessory dyes (such as those used to dye jeans) may transfer onto lighter colours and migrate into the coated mass fabric. This phenomenon is increased by humidity and temperature, and is often irreversible.

For more details on specific stains please contact our Office.

SUNPROOF® fabrics - Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintenance

  • Most stains on Sunproof fabrics can be easily removed by dabbing with lukewarm water.
  • Sunproof fabrics can also be cleaned with 303 Fabric Cleaner. You can also apply this undiluted for stubborn stains on these fabrics.
  • Washable at 30 or max 40 degrees
  • Bleaches can be used as needed.
  • After the fabric has been washed, it should be line dried. Sunproof® fabrics are made of 100% Olefin and these fibers dry very quickly, you can use it after approx. 20 minutes.
  • Ironing is not necessary but can be done on setting 1 (the lowest setting)

Dirt repellent
There is a dirt-repellent layer on the fabric. If the fabric has become dirty from sand, leaves, dust etc., it can be washed in the washing machine at 30-40 degrees Celsius, if necessary a very small amount of chlorine can be added. Be careful with grease and oil etc. A dirt-repellent layer means dirt and dust from outside like sand, leaves, etc. So be careful with grease or oil, but even that could come off after washing. And finally a tip, be careful with fire pits, etc. because sparks that whirl around and end up on the fabric can cause little burn holes.

White Stripes
With the colours Taupe, Ash Grey, Anthracite or Graphite from the Cartenza, it can sometimes occur that light stripes appear during the processing of your cushions. The appearance of these white stripes is due to the fact that the fibres of the fabric have gone through a kind of ‘porridge’ during the production process for the water and dirt-repellent layer. The folding of the fabric sometimes creates a kind of whitish stripe. The stripes disappear when the fabric is exposed to sunlight / is put into use. You can also go over the fabric with an iron on setting 1! – the lowest position. The water and dirt-repellent layer is not affected by this.