Furniture care

• Caring for fine furniture is much simpler than most
people realize. In most cases, dusting regularly with a
clean, soft, lint-free cloth is sufficient. We recommend
using a slightly dampened cloth for cleaning wood and
smooth leathers. Be sure to dry the surface gently after
cleaning to avoid water spotting.
In general, silicone-based polishes are usually not the
best choice for fine finishes. The most frequent problems
associated with silicone polishes are over-polishing,
combining them with other products, and future restoration
issues. We do not recommend using oil soaps for frequent
cleaning of new furniture. Cared for correctly, your new
furniture should not accumulate enough grease and dirt to
require the need for oil soaps.
• Objects should be lifted rather than dragged across a
finished surface. Expect some small surface scratches to
appear on some finishes through normal use. Furniture wax
can minimize this occurrence in many cases, but be sure to
test the product and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Avoid exposing your furniture to strong sunlight.
Unfiltered ultraviolet (UV) rays will discolor and damage
wood, finishes, fabrics, leather and rugs over time.
• Controlling relative humidity and temperature is
important to the long-term life of fine wood furniture,
leather and upholstery. For instance, solid tabletops will expand
slightly in the summer and contract in the dryer winter
months without any negative effects. If an atmospheric
change is too drastic, or humidity and temperature
levels too extreme one way or the other, your furniture
can be damaged.
• Nail polish remover, hair spray, perfume and potpourri
(and any other products that contain solvents) can
damage wood and leather finishes. Do not place these
products directly on a wood or leather surface, and avoid
using them near any wood or leather furniture.
• Rubber, cork, vinyl or plastic products can damage
some finishes. Use caution when placing telephones,
clocks and electronics on a finished surface, as most have
rubber or plastic footpads which can react with a lacquer
finish. Avoid placing vinyl or cork placemats, coasters or
tablecloths directly on a wood surface. To prevent damage,
use a protective layer (cotton, linen or felt cloth) between
the object and the finish.
• Please store table leaves flat, apron side up, in a
controlled environment to prevent warping or cracking.
Do not store in an attic or basement. We recommend
investing in cloth table leaf storage bags to protect against
minor scratching.
• Avoid exposing the furniture finish to items creating
extreme heat, cold or moisture. Use protective padding
under these items to avoid damaging the finish. Use
caution when placing items that radiate continuous heat
on fine wood furniture. For example, some computers
or stereos can raise the surface temperature by up to 20
degrees. Prolonged use without protecting the finish may
damage your furniture.