WOOD

High quality Wood Veneer surfaces

Routine Maintenance Wood furniture is built to strict specifications to ensure many years of use. Like all natural products, veneered wood surfaces may vary in grain texture and color. Because each piece of furniture is unique, variations between pieces can be expected. The beauty of our veneer is enhanced with a clear top coat which is not affected by most liquids found in offices or homes. This finish contains inhibitors to help prevent pigments from fading. However, like any wood product, the finish will fade with prolonged exposure to intense light. Cleaning & Polishing To clean, simply wipe the surface (in the direction of the grain) first with a dry cloth. Circular or sideways rubbing can adversely affect the appearance of the wood finish. If the surface is exceptionally dirty, add a mild soap solution to the water. Never apply furniture polish directly to the veneered surface. Apply polish to a slightly damp lint free cloth (i.e. tea towel or an old t-shirt) and rub in the direction of the grain. Overuse of furniture polish may result in buildup or may deepen the gloss of the furniture. General Care • Remove any spilled liquids immediately with a blotting rather than a wiping action. • Do not drag objects across finished surfaces. • For chips, scratches or unusual damage, professional repair is recommended. • Avoid exposing the surface to extreme heat, cold or humidity. • The surface finish may be burn-resistant but the wood beneath the finish is not and can be charred (eg. by a burning cigarette). • Exposure to strong sunlight should be avoided. The surface finish is fade proof but the wood beneath may change in colour from extended exposure to sunlight. • Place a desk pad under mechanical equipment. Rubber and oil will permanently mark the surface. • Dust the surface frequently with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Reclaimed Wood Surfaces Many products are hand crafted from reclaimed wood. Why? Not only is this a more sustainable material but also reclaimed wood has extraordinary patinas, grains, character marks and colours that make customers go “wow”. Wood from old barns, mills, houses, bridges and even boats go into transforming ordinary household items into exceptional home décor. Small nail holes, cracks, splits and old joints give testament to this rich history. Most of our products are left untreated or have a simple natural finish applied to keep the product looking and feeling as natural as possible. Any spills, stains, little nicks and scratches do blend in and add to the overall character of the wood, especially the case with dining room or kitchen tables. The mature air-dried nature and natural oils and silica in reclaimed elm, reclaimed pine and reclaimed oak mean they are naturally resistant to insects, rot and decay. However, there are simple things you can do to keep your reclaimed wood furniture looking great. Preventative Maintenance • Immediately sweep the whole surface of the furniture equally (including dry areas) with a wet cloth. Use a dry cloth to finish off with in order to absorb more water. • Always a good idea to use a coaster underneath the glasses or coffee cups on tables to prevent water rings from forming. Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight • Strong constant sunshine can sometimes change the colour of wood from original soft, honey browns to more of a sliver grey colour pallet. If you would like to prevent this, simply use curtains or blinds to regulate sun exposure. The Ideal Environment • Central heating use during the winter can lower humidity levels considerably. It is a good idea to use a humidifier in the room to enhance humidity for your furniture! Keep humidity levels between 35% - 45% • Reclaimed wood furniture should be kept at a safe distance from direct heat sources such as fireplaces, as the wood can dry out and cause cracks. Wood furniture is best maintained at temperatures between 65°and 75° Fahrenheit. Hot Spots • Reclaimed wood is remarkably heat resistant. However hot plates and pans from the oven or freshly boiled teakettles should have heat pads or trivets underneath for additional protection. Do not store furniture in damp or hot conditions. allow plenty of air movement around the furniture, and do not stack or store other objects on it. to prevent table leaves from warping, lay them flat. We recommend that you keep the doors of your cabinets closed when not in use. Routine Maintenance Normal cleaning • Regular dusting with a soft cloth is recommended. Additionally a slightly damp lint free cloth (i.e. tea towel or old t-shirt) can be used to wipe down the reclaimed wood furniture. Make sure the cloth is consistently turned in on itself to make sure dirt is removed not just moved around. • Furniture Polish is not recommended because they can build up a residue and start to eventually attract dust. Rustic tables, such as our reclaimed old elm tables, will have shallow cracks into which crumbs can fall. Simply using a brush (small paintbrush works best) or vacuum brush to extract the crumbs can easily solve this problem. • Treat end-grain reclaimed wood every six months, or more often if the wood seems dry, with an application of mineral oil. nB. do not use cooking oils. • Apply mineral oil to a clean, white cloth and then rub it into the wood. Do not apply mineral oil directly to the wood. • Scratches, burns, residue and other surface damage can be removed with No. 000 steel wool and gently rub in the direction of the grain. Reapply mineral oil after sanding. Finishing • Paste wax such as beeswax is often the better solution if your furniture is taking a greater than average amount of knocks and bangs. • Taking the time to apply a paste wax to the furniture can pay off in the long run. Once dry, the wax will repel dust and dirt. severe grease stains • If grease or oil is spilled onto the wood, the sooner action is taken the better. Common table salt should be applied to the spill and then left to absorb the oil. Once saturated, wipe away the oil and repeat if necessary. • The whole tabletop should then be wet down with a damp cloth to ensure that water rings do not form. • As a final repair, scrub the remaining oil stain with a mixture of 1 lire of warm water and 50ml white distilled vinegar. Wipe again with clear water. • If the oil stain is left for too long then light sanding in the direction of the grain can help remove the problem. Rings and Watermarks • Rings and watermarks can be caused by glasses and cups coming into direct contact with the reclaimed wood surface. If this happens, non-gel toothpaste can be gently rubbed in the reclaimed wood surface with a soft cloth and then wiped dry. Red Wine Marks • The first priority once red wine marks appear is to dampen the whole area of the dining table to ensure that watermarks do not form. • Baking soda should then be layered over the stain. Adding a spoonful of white distilled vinegar to the baking soda will cause it to bubble and foam. This mixture should be agitated into a thick paste and be left on the stain for 15 minutes. • Robustly rub the wood in the direction of the grain using a stiff brush. At first the stain may not look like it is shifting however once dry the stain should be reduced significantly. If not, repeat the process. These care instructions are for guidance only and do not represent a guarantee. improper cleaning procedure invalidates any warranty claims. Helpful Tip: Moving Your Product A table pad is a thick, protective pad designed to help safeguard the surface of a dining table from spills, scratches, dents, and heat sources. Use table pads that are a half-inch thick and if possible, include an aluminum heat shield layer for maximum protection against hot spots. They also cushion your fine china and crystal and absorb sound for a more pleasant dining experience. Whether it’s going across the country or only across the room, you should take special care when moving fine furniture. Be sure to disassemble multipiece units before you attempt to relocate them. Here are the Procedures we Recommend: 1. Remove all knobs and/or casters. Tape them inside a drawer or keep them in an envelope so they’ll be close at hand when unpacking. 2. Remove or secure shelves. Wrap adjustable wood shelves separately or reinstall the shipping screws to secure them in place. Remove and separately wrap glass shelves before you move any unit. 3. Close and secure all drawers and doors. Cover drawers and doors with a mover’s pad or a blanket, and tie loosely. 4. Protect corners, projecting details, and handles. Use padding or foam where appropriate. 5. Lift all furniture. Sliding and dragging can bend or break legs. Painted and Stained Surfaces Routine Maintenance for all finishes... • Dust several times a week in order to maintain a clean surface and protect the finish from soil build up. Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth for general dusting. • Protect all wooden furniture from direct sunlight. Exposure to the sun’s rays can dry out the wood and actually bleach out the colour. Avoid both extremely moist or dry air. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier when needed to help keep wood from drying out or warping. Also, don’t place your wood furniture near air vents; the forced air will adversely affect the wood. • Cover the bottoms of accessories and other tabletop items with felt to prevent scratching. Use coasters under glasses to prevent water marks. Never let water stand on a wood surface, and always use a protective plate under flower vases filled with water to keep moisture from drawing into the wood. • Wash your wood furniture surfaces once a year with a sudsy solution of mild soap and water. Using a clean, soft cloth from which most of the water has been wrung, work on a small area at a time. Overlap areas as you work. Clean with the sudsy solution, then rinse with a soap-free dampened cloth. Dry immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the wood is extremely dry, grimy or if there is a wax build-up, clean the wood with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth dampened with a cleanser-conditioner. Preventative Maintenance To keep your furniture in good condition, follow these precautions in the daily care of any wood piece of furniture. 1. Avoid placing wood furniture near direct sources of heat. The added heat and dryness, particularly in the fall and winter, will cause the wood to dry out and lead to warping and cracking of the finish. 2. Avoid exposing indoor furniture to strong sunlight. Even though the finishing materials are made as fade-proof as possible, the wood may change colour to give a bleached or faded appearance. 3. Wipe up liquids spilled as soon as possible, using a blotting rather than a wiping motion. Never lay damp cloths on a wooden surface as wood will absorb this moisture. Avoid using a plastic tablecloth on a wood surface. The heat and humidity trapped by the plastic will mar the finish. 4. Use protective pads or glue pieces of leather or felt to the bottom of accessories to avoid scratching the wood. Lift objects to move them rather than dragging them over the finished surface. 5. Avoid burning finishes. Use pads under hot dishes. Provide ash trays for those who smoke. 6. Use a soft, lint-free absorbent cloth for cleaning and polishing wood furniture. Be sure all buttons and seams have been removed to avoid marring the surface. Do not use cheese cloth since this may contain an abrasive starch. 7. To polish, use a soft cloth and furniture polish that contains no pigment or silicone. 8. Always pre-test a product on an inconspicuous part of the furniture before using for the first time. Be sure to read and follow all directions and warnings before using any commercial cleaner or polish. laminated melamine surfaces Routine Maintenance normal cleaning • Wash the melamine with a soft damp cloth of mild detergent and warm water. • Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. • For minor repair of burns or other stubborn marks, apply a nonabrasive liquid kitchen cleanser with a soft cloth soaked in warm water. • Rub in the direction of the grain; use caution to avoid damaging the surface texture or gloss. • If no grain direction is visible, rub with a light, circular motion. Do not use powdered abrasives or other harsh cleansers like hypochlorite bleach, hydrogen peroxide, nitric or hydrochloric acids, or lye; they may deface the surface and change the finish colour. avoid cleaning Agents: lysol cleaners, abrasive cleaners (soft scrub, comet, etc.), and acetone based cleaners. For Difficult Stains • difficult stains such as coffee and tea: Use a mild household cleaner and baking soda; mixing to achieve a paste consistency. • Use a stiff nylon bristle brush, scrubbing (approx. 15-20 strokes in the direction of the surface texture) in the affected area. Don’ts • Do Not use a drawer as a step as this may cause the bottom of the drawer to sag or the guides to warp. • Do Not use petroleum distilled polishes on the surface of your cabinetry, as they are often flammable and toxic, and they are seldom ever completely removed. • Do Not use abrasive cleaner or an abrasive cloth on any painted surface as this will scratch, scar and dull the finish permanently. • Do Not use concentrated detergents on your cabinetry. Harsh detergents, strong soap and self-polishing waxes could have a damaging effect on the finished surface. • Do Not leave damp or wet cloths draped over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent water damage to the area over time. • Do Not wipe our cabinetry with a used dishcloth since it could contain traces of grease or detergents. • Do Not place plastic or rubber objects on a wood finish – their ingredients react with those of the finish. • Do Not place furniture in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause a change in colour. • Do Not expose the unbanded edges of cabinetry to excessive moisture. Over time, prolonged wetness can result in damage.