Furniture Care Guide
Regular Cleaning
Carefully vacuum your upholstery using the soft brush upholstery attachment at least once a week, dust removal may be improved by brushing with a soft brush. Pay special attention to arm fronts and any pleated sections. Dirt and dust will rapidly increase fabric wear and may cause the dulling and fading of colours.
Take care when using a vacuum around piping and buttons as these can easily be caught and may be damaged.
Timber feet require minimal maintenance and should be kept free from dust by occasionally wiping with a clean cloth. Do not use spray polishes or solvent cleaners as these can have a damaging effect and any overspray can have adverse effects on the adjoining fabric.
Care of Cushions
All cushions should be “tidied and dressed” regularly, we recommend turning daily, and frequently switching the positions of the cushions where possible. This will help prevent excessive wear to one side. Avoid perching on the edge of cushions as this may cause the fillings or fabric to lose their shape
Feather and fibre filled seat and back cushions will need to be “plumped” on a regular basis to ensure the cushion interior fills the case to the correct shape. Failure to do this may result in the fillings forming a mass, giving the cushion a flat or uneven appearance. Foam cushions do not require the same level of maintenance as they will keep their shape for longer, however we do recommend periodically plumping to stimulate the foam. It is common for foam interiors to lose at least 10% of their density in the first 3 months and could increase to 20-30% over time. To prolong the life span of the interiors, where possible cushions should be rotated or seating positions changed regularly.
Prolonged Sunlight and Heat
Upholstered furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight as this may result in deterioration and fading of your fabric. Always position your furniture away from the sun rays and protect it by drawing blinds, or curtains when applicable. Avoid leaving your upholstery too close to open fires or radiators.
Correct Use
Sitting on the edges of cushions or the arms may cause permanent wear and distortion to the fillings and fabric. Avoid allowing sharp edge toys, buckles, jewellery and domestic pets to snag the fabric. If this occurs, carefully cut the plucked fabric yarn or snag away with a pair of scissors. Under no circumstances should a snag be pulled.
Major Cleaning
It is difficult to give general instructions on doing this yourself, since different fibres and fabric constructions require specialist techniques. We therefore, recommend that you leave major cleaning to a recognised upholstery cleaning specialist. They can give you expert advice and carry out the necessary periodic cleaning quickly and efficiently.
The effectiveness of the specialist cleaning treatment will depend on the degree of soiling. It is therefore advisable to have this done before the fabric becomes too engrained with dirt. It is inevitable that after a dry cleaning process a slight colour variation will occur between the removable and fixed sections of the upholstery. Under no circumstances attempt to wash covers or use the dry cleaning machine at your local launderette unless you have purchased a specific machine washable product.
Spots and spills can sometimes be treated with specific chemicals to aid their removal. Always pre-test any cleaner you intend to use on a hidden area of the furniture, checking for colour loss and fabric compatibility. Look for faded colours, shrinkage or rings, these are signs of incompatibility. Under no circumstances should you apply excessive pressure or rubbing to a spillage as this may result in permanent damage to the fabric. Blot the surface dry with an absorbent colour fast cloth or kitchen roll to soak up excessive liquid. Fabrics with high cotton contents may become lighter in colour after spot cleaning. If in doubt, always seek professional advice.
If your furniture has had an after sale, soil resistant treatment applied by a third party, we cannot accept any liability for problems caused to the fabric in any way by this treatment, for any marking or staining that may have been over-sprayed, or for any staining or marking that may occur after their application or during their specialised cleaning procedures. Such treatments should always be pre-tested for their fabric compatibility on a hidden part of the furniture or a fabric sample before application. Any fabric protection problem must be referred to the agent that supplied it at the time of purchase.