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Caring For Your Furniture  

Raw Furniture items are made from high quality carefully selected timbers. Meticulous machining, skilled hand assembly and careful hand finishing ensures that you receive a piece of furniture to be proud of.  Our furniture is made to be used and enjoyed for many years, so it will benefit from a little care and attention.  

Important: We don’t stain or wax the underside of legs or base of our furniture. However, it is quite natural for moisture to escape here so you may wish to place something under your items to protect your flooring/carpets from possible discolouration for the first few months or so.  

General information  

Wood is natural and will continue to act as it does in its natural environment, even after it has been cut from the tree – as wood contains moisture this means that it will naturally expand and contract according to the surrounding temperature and humidity, despite having being kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content to a furniture industry-set percentage. 

This could result in:  

  • Doors and drawers being tighter in their frames at some times and looser at others; 

  • Joins between pieces of wood opening up slightly; 

  • Small splits or cracks appearing; 

  • Slight warping or twisting. 

None of these may ever occur or happen to your particular piece of furniture and if they do it is usually very minimal and never enough to compromise the structure or stability of your furniture.  These characteristics should not be regarded as imperfections but rather embraced and viewed as going hand in hand with the natural look of this style of furniture, adding to the character and individuality of your particular piece. 

The amount at which wood will expand and contract can vary and cannot be guessed or prevented totally - it can be minimised by looking after your furniture as per the guidance below and considering the positioning of it to avoid humidity, direct heat etc.  

General Care  

  • Avoid using any polishes or cleaning materials containing chemicals. “Wood Silk” is an ideal widely available product.  

  • Only natural waxes or polishes should be used - clear and coloured wax polishes are available to buy in-store.  

  • Dry dust regularly with a cloth that attracts rather than scatters dust.  

  • Move objects on surfaces regularly to avoid fading.  

  • Remove spillages immediately with a blotting action.  

  • Use quality table mats and coasters to protect against heat.  

  • Use a protective mat when writing to avoid marking the surface.  

  • Avoid extremes in humidity. This can cause wood to warp and loosen glues. Keep furniture away from air conditioning units.  

  • Level furniture when placing it. This will ensure things like wardrobe doors are level and removes undue pressure on joints.  

  • Never drag furniture, always lift it.  

Furniture will endure most temperatures in the modern home however it should be positioned as far away from radiators, direct sunlight or other direct heat sources as possible to minimise splitting or warping. Drastic changes in temperature should also be avoided for the same reason Occasionally used items, such as table extensions should be stored at normal room temperature when not in use. 

Lacquered & Painted Wood 

For a lacquer finish the colour is applied in the form of a stain then a polyurethane top coat is applied on top giving it a more resistant finish. The polyurethane top coat gives a hard protection to the furniture and seals the wood. Our paint finishes contain hard-wearing matt lacquer to create a more durable finish suitable for furniture. 

Lacquered and painted wood offers some protection from liquid penetration and heat sources although any prolonged exposure will cause damage. Constant water exposure will wear down the lacquer or paint, becoming dull and mottled and increase the risk of splitting and warping.  

Waxed Wood  

A wax finish does not offer the same protection as lacquer; the colour is applied as a stain, then hand-finished with a coloured wax polish which doesn’t seal the wood but nourishes it while providing a light protective barrier on the surface. With this finish the appearance is more natural.   

Rings will occur if mats are not used and spills will be absorbed into the wood if not removed immediately, increasing the risk of splitting and warping.   

Any minor scratches, marks or stains can be retreated/covered with the application of some coloured wax.  Any natural splits or cracks can be ‘filled’ with the coloured wax to disguise them.  

Waxed wood needs periodical re-waxing to maintain its condition and appearance depending on what wear and tear it receives. A clear or coloured wax can be used for this to feed the wood and maintain its protective barrier.  

The colour of waxed furniture will subtly change over time. At six to twelve-month intervals it is wise to wax the whole piece with a coloured wax. The wax soaks into to the wood keeping the wood hydrated and keeps the colour sharp.   

If re-waxing is not adhered to the colour will fade and the wood can dry out encouraging splits.  

Oiled WoodBathroom and Kitchen Worktops 

Unlike conventional lacquers, oils penetrate deep into the surface of the timber, protecting from within. Oils protect without obscuring the natural ‘feel’ and texture of the grain. Besides protecting the surface, the oil will enhance the colour, adding depth and lustre to the finish.  

Any minor scratches to the surface of the timber can be retreated with the application of a little more oil. To maintain the beauty and finish of your oiled furniture and maintain surface protection, we recommend regular re-treatment.  We use Polyx Oil 3062 for a water-resistant, hard-wearing, food-safe finish. For regular cleaning use Osmo Wash and Care.   

Vintage Leather 

For minor spots and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge.  Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water as this may cause more damage than the stain itself. 

For oil-based stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather.  Further advice and information can be found at www.ittsolutions.net. 

Try to maintain at least 3cm between your furniture and heating sources. 

Do not allow your pets onto your leather sofa. Pets have sharp claws which can scratch the leather. Their saliva is also very harmful to leather.  

Never use harsh chemicals or paint around your leather sofa. Keep materials like nail polish, bleach, nail polish remover, glue and household cleaners away from your leather.  

Dust your leather as you would other items in the room. Lightly dampen a soft cloth with leather soft cleaner and dust weekly. You may also use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.  

All leather lasts longer and looks better when preventive maintenance is practiced. As a general rule, fully clean your furniture with leather soft cleaner at least every six months to remove dirt as well as the gradual accumulation of body oils and perspiration.