Care Guide

Our furniture is very easy to look after, and with a little care, will continue to look beautiful for future generations. We like to keep wood looking and feeling as natural as possible.

We can supply care kits for a variety of finishes. These are available to order by contacting the showroom. Please note, care kits are made to order and are not held in stock to buy directly from the showroom.

Be aware that solid wood furniture will expand and shrink at different temperatures and humidities. Please take care to not place your furniture close to radiators, wood burners or on underfloor heating.

If you would like any further information or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01488 608020 or email us.

Raw/untreated surface

To clean a raw top on a daily basis, you can wipe with a damp cloth. Then, to remove more stubborn stains, you can scrub the top with a green scouring pad and white Cif cream cleaner. Do not use the yellow Cif, it contains bleach that will damage the timber.

Dilute a small amount (roughly one tablespoon) of Cif cleaner in hot water. Scrub with the grain and don’t worry if the water starts to turn brown. This is the natural tannins coming out of the wood. There is no need to be precious with this cleaning method.

Rinse the top with plenty of water and then wipe off any excess water on the surface.

Please take care if your table sits on top of a rug or carpet. The tannins can stain them.

The first few time you scrub your top, the grain will raise and leave the table feeling rough. This will only occur for the first few scrubbings. After that, the surface will become case hardened and more resilient. If you’d like, you can ‘de-nib’ the surface using fine abrasive paper.

Damp, untreated steel items will react with the timber and leave a dark stain. This can be removed using oxalic acid, available from most chemists. Any scratches can be removed by sanding and dents can be removed by steaming with an iron over a damp tea towel.

Avoid contact with hot objects, use heatproof mats if necessary.

Oiled Finish

We use Osmo Polyx Oil which is a hard wax oil, lightly applied to keep the timber looking and feeling natural. While each oil provides a different finish, the maintenance remains the same. The wax will fully harden after four weeks.

Spills and marks are simply removed by wiping with a damp cloth. Try to wipe anything off that will stain immediately (red wine, coffee, vinegar, lemon juice).

Do not use any silicon spray polishes. In our showroom, we use Osmo spray for the upkeep of our oiled pieces. This can be found here. Please avoid direct contact with hot objects. Use heatproof mats if necessary.

Some deep scratches and marks will need to be removed by sanding. This may require you to re-oil your surface. If you feel this is necessary, please email us or call. We will be able to provide you with a breakdown of the oiling process and give you any extra information you may need.

Benchmark care kits are available to order. Please contact the showroom for extra information.

Zinc

Zinc is a hard wearing surface. However it is marked very easily especially by alcohol, carbonated liquids, salt, lemon juice and other acidic substances.

The marks that appear are permanent and therefore not possible to remove. However, over time they will add to the overall patination of the table. Zinc is also very soft and will scratch easily if knocked harshly.

You should expect the edges of the zinc to develop character and their own patina over time. This is normal and adds to the character.

You should not use abrasive cleaners or scourers of any kind on the surface as this will only remove the patination and leave a bright patch. Never use Cif or other cream cleaners. To wash down, use an ordinary non-abrasive detergent (eg washing up liquid) and water. Re-waxing may be done from time to time using any ordinary furniture wax polish and a soft cloth.

Marble & Limestone

Marble is sealed to offer a layer of protection. It can be cleaned with a light solution of soap and warm water. For more stubborn marks, a light scrubbing with a soft brush can help. However, make sure that no water is allowed to rest on the surface for too long otherwise it will leave behind water marks.

Limestone is treated with a stain-repelling finish. It can only be cleaned lightly with a damp cloth and occasionally treated with specialist stone cleaner.

Do not use any abrasive cleaners or expose either to acid, oil or solvent-based products that may damage the surface. A good quality furniture polish can be used to bring out the shine.

Brushed & Patinated Brass

Brass is finished with wax, however, we would recommend that you re-apply the wax over time. We are able to supply you with a kit. Please contact us directly and we can organise this or recommend which hardware store to purchase this from.

Please avoid direct contact with industrial cleaning agents, bleach and water. If you would like to wipe clean, we recommend using a cloth with a light cleaning agent such as fairy liquid.

Please make sure you use a non-abrasive cloth otherwise you run the risk of scratching the surface. When applying the wax, you will need to work a small amount into the surface. Use a rag to remove any obvious excess wax.

Expect the edges of the brass to start developing their own patina over time.

Fabric & Leather

Every fabric will have its own set of care instructions so if unsure, please contact the manufacturer. We can supply you with these details if needed.

To remove stains, you should treat the area immediately and not allow the stain to dry into the fabric. Always work inwards from the edge to prevent the stain from spreading. Do not over wet the fabric. Instead, use small amounts of cleaning liquid at a time, blotting between applications. Continue until the stain has disappeared.

Leather matures beautifully if treated properly. Similar to fabric, any tough stains that you can’t remove should be dealt with by professional cleaning companies.

Vacuum the leather using the soft brush attachment. If necessary, simply wipe with a damp cloth and a mild cleaning agent. Buff with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid using chemical polishes or soap.