Furniture will eventually wear and tear over time. However, you can slow down the process by taking the extra precaution in treating your furniture the right way. Here are some tips on the do’s and don’t’s in furniture care. In general, clean all food or liquid spillage as they occur. The longer they remain on the surface the more damage it could cause. Coasters are friendly household items that help prevent scratches, heat transfer and watermarks when used correctly. Always lift furniture because dragging weakens the joints. Always remember to use the right cleaner for the right material. Placing products near windows or areas with direct sunlight would also result in a faster wear & tear rate as prolonged exposure to extreme temperature will result in faster degeneration, like wood or upholstery loosing its color, wood drying out, and materials in general becoming more brittle and weak. Heavier usage will contribute to a heavier wear & tear rate. The glossiness of a product will be reduced with time and/or use.
Metal surfaces have good resistance to dirt and liquids, but prolonged exposure to water can stain metal and even stainless steel, so it is important to keep metal surfaces dry. Dusting should be done with a soft, cotton cloth or towel. You may use mild detergent and
water to clean once in a while but make sure to dry it completely afterwards. Smudges and smears can be removed using a window cleaning liquid and a paper towel. Regular waxing prevents tarnishing of metals and maintains a bright finish. Waxing also boost the cleaning power of metal products.
Chrome plated items are for interior use only. Use Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol or Baby Oil, on a clean soft cloth to remove general grime. Products that contain an oil substance like baby oil will protect the surface and help keep it clean. Rust will usually appear on chromed items where the surface has been deeply scratched to expose the mild steel beneath, leaving the mild steel open to the elements. Remove any rust by balling up some aluminium foil and rubbing it gently on the rusty areas to smooth and shine them up. Alternatively, use a clean soft cloth with some Easy Off BAM Power Grime Lime Soap, Scum cleaner, or similar, for the really dirty parts of the legs.
Frequent cleaning using warm water, with or without a gentle detergent, is sufficient to keep Stainless Steel looking good. For more stubborn dirt, mild non-scratching abrasive powders, such as typical household cleaners, can be used with warm water and a clean
cloth. Many cleaners contain corrosive ingredients, which require thorough post-cleaning with clean water. For more aggressive cleaning, a small amount of vinegar can be added to the powder. When abrasives are needed on the stainless steel frame, first experiment on an inconspicuous area. Cleaning should always be followed by rinsing in clean hot water and wiped completely dry to avoid water stains. Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool must be avoided as they may leave iron particles embedded on the surface, which will rust the furniture. Fingerprints and mild stains are easy to remove with a variety of stainless steel cleaning products available from supermarkets and hardware stores. Fine scratches in the stainless steel frame can be buffed out with a Scotch Brite pad. It is recommended that you follow the grain direction of the surface when buffing out scratches.
Frequent cleaning using warm water and a soft cloth, with or without a gentle detergent, is sufficient to keep Epoxy Coated steel looking good. This is the only method we recommend to clean these products. Harsh chemicals can erode the surface, which ultimately exposes the steel underneath and rusting can then start. A deep scratch on powder-coated surfaces will penetrate the coating and expose the steel underneath, which will react with oxygen to form iron oxide, which is rust.
Clean with non-abrasive, solvent-free cleaners and a soft cloth. For scratches, buff with ‘Autosol’ metal polish.
Chemical cleaners should not be used. Use only warm soapy water and remove any excess water immediately.
For Laminate tops, follow the same guideline as above. For more stubborn stains, a mild detergent may be used.
Glass is one of the easiest surfaces to clean. Glass can be cleaned using a soft cloth damped with vinegar. Remember to clean dry the surface afterwards as water gathered on the glass may damage it. Periodically polish the glass with crushed newspaper for the added shine. But as there are a combination of wood and tempered glass tops, extra care is to be taken when cleaning. Ammonia, vinegar and other common glass-cleaner ingredients, may damage wood. So, it’s important to use different cleaners for glass and wood, and to keep the glass cleaner from coming into contact with the wood and vice versa.
Please see section 5 for details.
Always refer to the fabric manufacturers’ instructions for specific information.
Prompt cleaning is always recommended. Upholstered cushions should be regularly brushed or vacuumed, but never use a stiff brush as this could damage the fibers. Such care can prevent heavy soiling of fabric and prevent the accumulation of dust and grit, which reduces the life and dulls the colours of fabrics. Flip your seats and back cushions periodically to extend the life of your cushions so that both sides wear evenly through the years. As most of our upholstery are made of foam, it is also advisable to shake them regularly to ensure foam stability. Change the cushions around as some seats tend to get more usage than others.
Generally, leather should be wiped regularly with a colourfast, damp white cloth. Do not use detergents, solvents and abrasives; and protect from sunlight, heat sources and humidity. When it comes to leather, avoid cleaners and detergents that aren’t made for leather care. A dry cloth and lukewarm water are usually all that’s needed to keep your leather’s natural brightness and texture. Then let it air dry instead of using a fan or hair dryer as that will dry the leather out over time.
Ordinary dirt and stains can usually be removed with mild soapy water: Spot clean affected area with the soap and water mixture. Dab with a lint-free cloth until semi dry. Do not rub! Leave the affected area to air-dry, or dry carefully with the low setting of a hairdryer. Do not use any concentrated household ammonia, chlorine, bleach-based cleaners, detergents and fabric polishes, as these can remove the plasticiser in Vinyl and cause cracking.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer, which is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemicals and solvents. Most marks on Polypropylene furniture should be able to be removed with warm mild soapy water. However, resistant marks can be treated with common household cleaners and solvent products such as Methylated Spirit. Avoid harsh scouring powders and harsh abrasive cloths and brushes. The best way to enjoy the furniture for years to come is to avoid build-up of dirt and grime.
Any coating applied on wood is only as durable as the wood itself. As a natural product, wood will always need more care than some man-made surfaces, such as Laminates. Chemical Cleaners should not be used. Use only warm water and soap and do not soak the
surface for a long period (remove any excess water immediately and this includes water spills and condensation from a cold drink). When placing a Living Plant on timber, it’s advisable to use a Tray or Plate so that the water or condensation or morning dew from the Plant could be contained within the Plate and not transfer (spill or drip) onto the Timber; resulting in watermarks. Avoid dragging objects on the surfaces as this will result in scratching which may only be removed by refinishing. It is wise to use Coasters to prevent heat transferred onto the Timber as that will result in popping or swelling. Also, Coasters could help prevent unsightly scratches too.
Depending on the finish, you will need to maintain the timber product in various ways. But generally, do not store Wood under plastic, as Wood is a natural product and it needs to breathe. Storage under plastic encourages mildew to grow on the timber. Also, due to
Timber’s need to breathe and adjust its inner Moisture Content (MC), slight warping or splitting may be common.
Apply non-abrasive, solvent-free cleaners with a soft cloth. Any use of harsh cleaners or solvent (like Thinner), will damage the surface and void any warranty. Avoid the use of strong detergents, glass cleaners and silicone-based products (eg. Jif Cream). Preferably, use
products with natural ingredients. You can repair minor timber abrasions and scuffs by using Scratch-fix pens, or similar. PU or NC lacquer is not suitable for outdoor use as the varnish will crack and flak in the sun and rain. It must be borne in mind that even the best lacquer, correctly applied, remains a thin coat of protective material and may eventually break down. The life of the coating is beyond the control of the manufacturer and cannot be guaranteed.
This finish helps to protect the wood from the elements as well as to prevent irregular stains from seeping into the timber. Timber needs to be re-oiled every 6 weeks; frequency depends on the harshness of the climate, usage and on the owner’s personal preference on the appearance of the wood. Clean and dry your timber prior to following manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the wood oil/wax.
Our range of carefully selected furniture has warranties spanning from 1 to 3 years, depending on the product and materials selected. The warranty covers defects occurring in the materials or due to the workmanship used in the manufacture of our products only. Our warranty does not cover, but is not limited to, the following: moulding due to bad air ventilation, damage caused by unreasonable or incorrect use, normal wear and tear, failure to provide proper care and maintenance, marking from stacking, routine wear of parts such as feet, glides, wheels, stoppers, grommets and any other wearing parts; normal fading due to lights or sunlight, non-adherence to advice given relating to suitable decors for outside use; scratching or chipping of paint or timber finishes; staining, discolouration, corrosion or damage caused by contact with unsuitable chemicals or materials, or damage to upholstery and frames due to obvious vandalism such as cuts or graffiti.
All care is taken to provide the correct information at the time of mention, with regards to the properties of different materials, the correct way to care for them and the uses for which they are suitable. Comfort Design tries to ensure that all product specifications, dimensions and so forth are accurate. However, we accept no liability for any inconvenience caused by any person using our information. Nonetheless, we shall be grateful if any errors can be brought to our attention and we apologise for any inconveniences caused.
DISCLAIMER ON WOOD COLOR: Colour and grain variations are natural characteristics of authentic wood surfaces. Since no two trees are exactly alike, these variations are evident in every piece of wood. Therefore, there can be variation in colour and grain between actual finished products. Thus variation in colour will not be reason for replacement upon delivery as it is not a defect