Furniture & Bed Care Guide

Please always read the manufacturers information and follow their instructions for care and cleaning. The following are some general recommendations.

General upholstery care

Avoid positioning sofas and chairs near to heat sources or in prolonged sunlight if possible, as this may cause excessive fading of colours and aging of the fabric.

Do not sit on the front edge of the seat or on arms, and do not let children bounce on them.

Heavy clothing such as denim can be very abrasive. Don't allow animals on your furniture and avoid sharp objects, such as buckles, which can cause snags. If you do get a snag, don't pull it, just cut it off carefully with scissors and try to carefully tuck the end back in.

Plump cushions at the ned of the day and smooth out surfaces to prevent creases forming.

Gently vacuum or brush, with a soft brush, at least once a week, as accumulated dirt will increase wear and dull colours. Take care with fringe and braid details.

Spillages should be dealt with as soon as they happen by dabbing with a clean absorbent cloth. Do not rub the fabric as this will force the dirt into it. If your upholstery is protected under a stain warranty, refer to the separate guarantee and cleaning advice. If not, use boiled lukewarm water, neutral soap and a soft clean sponge. Only ever use lukewarm water and do not use microfibre cloths or microfibre sponges. If the sofa or chair is well used and so has darkened with age, you may need to clean the whole surface, so the cleaned area des not stand out by looking lighter. Let it dry thoroughly before use, as seat sheen may occur if the furniture is used when it is wet. Normal room temperature is ideal for this purpose. Be careful when drying with hot air (hair dryer, heater fan) as synthetic materials are sensitive to heat. Chemical detergents, e.g. acetone, alcohol, acids or cleaning alcohol, should be avoided as there is a risk that they could alter the colour of the fabric.

Feather and fibre filled cushions should be turned and plumped to prevent flattening. Reversible cushions should be turned and rotated regularly.

For motion furniture, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take care never force mechanisms.

We recommend cleaning at least once a year and it is best left to specialist companies. Dry clean removable covers, unless the label says that they can be washed.

Leather upholstery care

Colour variations, creasing, scars and natural marks are inherent features of all leathers. These are considered part of their charm and should not cause concern.

Protect leather upholstery from direct sunlight, and do not place next to a direct heat source.

Non-colourfast clothing such as denim, can stain light coloured leather if it comes into regular contact.

Don't allow animals on your furniture and avoid sharp objects, such as buckles, which can may scratch the surface.

Dust regularly with a soft clean cloth.

“Hot spots” on leather tend to be behind the head where the head rests and on the arms rests as natural greases touch the leather, so these areas should be wiped over with a lukewarm damp cloth on a regular basis e.g. once a week.

Absorb spills immediately with a clean absorbent cloth/towel.

For protected leather, occasionally wipe with a damp cloth (only use distilled or boiled water), then wipe off with a dry cloth. Clean at least once every six months with a proper leather care kit.

Other leathers, such as buffalo, a slightly moistened cloth can be used for stains (use only distilled or boiled water), but use water sparingly to avoid water stains, and do not rub. Do not clean with solvents or use commercially available microfibre tissues for cleaning, as these can damage your leather.

Cabinet and table furniture care

Cabinet furniture includes covers dining, occasional & bedroom furniture, which is available in a variety of materials and finishes. This will affect the best care and cleaning methods. The care label that came with your furniture should tell you the best method for your furniture, or please ask a member of our team.

In general, the following is recommended:

• When positioning furniture, don’t place furniture directly next to a heat source and avoid extreme changes in room humidity.

• Always follow fitting instructions for wall-fixing, glass surfaces and shelves.

• Try to ensure your floor is level and even, especially for wardrobes, sideboards, etc which have doors that open, or use packers to level the furniture or adjust the hinges of adjustable, so the doors are not out of alignment and so open and close easily.

• Do not drag or push furniture around, carefully lift it, and do not rock backwards on dining chairs.

• All timber finishes can alter when exposed to light (pine tends to darken, whilst cherry may lighten), so avoid full direct sunlight if possible, and change the position of objects on the surface regularly, especially in the first year, to avoid noticeable patches where they stand.

• Do not put hot plates or dishes on an unprotected surface. A full size table felt pad is a worthwhile investment for dining tables.

• Avoid marking furniture with sharp objects, for example when using a ballpoint pen or by dragging things across the surface.

• Wipe up spills immediately with a clean absorbent cloth.

For different finishes, the following are the recommended cleaning instructions:

Hard wearing lacquers give maximum protection. For best results, first wipe with a damp cloth then buff with a soft, clean, dry cloth. Take care with aerosols and wax polishes, as over use will create shiny patches and build up a wax on matt and semi-matt finishes which will be hard to remove.

Waxed finishes - only remove stains/spots when the surface is dry, using a dry cloth, never damp.

Oiled finishes - clean using a clean dry cloth or a damp cloth well wrung out in soapy water, but then dry off immediately. If the surface becomes dull, an appropriate oil can be applied.

Hand-waxed or oiled finishes may absorb stains that can be removed by re-waxing or re-oiling. Don't let the surfaces become too dry. Use a specific cloth for your furniture and don't contaminate it with soaps or detergents as these may damage the hand finished surface.

Marble - clean with damp cloth only, make sure the surface is wiped dry, but do not use detergents.

Steel and Aluminium - clean thoroughly with a wrung out cloth soaked in soapy water, then dry well to avoid the risk of rust and discolouration.

Bed/mattress care

For spring mattresses, do not fold or bend the mattress or sit on the edge for long periods, as this will distort the spring unit.

Beds should not be used as a trampoline by children.

If you have a drawer divan, the drawers are designed to hold lightweight items such as linen and are not to be overloaded. Similarly, ottoman divans should not be overloaded.

Turn down bedding every morning to allow the bed to breathe and cool down.

The turning required will depend upon the type of mattress, but in general, mattresses should be turned once a week for the first eight weeks, then monthly after that. Some mattresses will only require rotating end to end, others should be turned top to bottom and rotated end to end. When you select your mattress, please check with our team what turning is recommended for it.

The use of a mattress protector is recommended, as it helps to keep the mattress cleaner and also helps the removal of dust and dust mites, as the protector can be washed regularly.

Mattresses may be lightly brushed using a soft brush.

Mop up any spills immediately with a clean dry absorbent cloth.