Basic care instructions for FiF finished furniture & upholstery
Protection is the best care…
- Use coasters & placemats etc to protect wooden surfaces.
- Avoid hot &/or moist items directly contacting the surface.
- Avoid covering wooden surfaces for long durations.
- Avoid spray can polishes & silicon-based polish creams.
- Use water in moderation – See below
- Use cold water only when cleaning
- Avoid high heats – do not place solid timbers close to heat sources -heater, fireplaces, intense direct sunlight etc.
Caring for furniture with
POLYURETHANE finish
General care:
- Dust often with a dry nonabrasive cloth.
- Use a small amount of Neopol furniture cream for light cleaning & to maintain lustre.
When cleaning is required:
- Wipe with a clean slightly damp cloth.
- For grease stains use diluted dishwashing liquid to dampen the cloth.
- When cleaning is complete – dry the entire area.
- To restore luster, wipe with Neopol cream polish.
NB. When cleaning with water, only dampen a soft cloth, do not soak. If you can wring out the cloth – that’s too much water. Gently wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth to remove any water when cleaning complete.
Minor scratches & scuffs in the finish surface:
- Minor scuffs & light scratches – Wipe with Neopol cream polish to restore moisture & luster.
- Heavier scratches -– Gently rub the flesh of a half nut piece directly across the scratch to ‘mask’ the scratch.
- For dark woods – Use a half Walnut
- For lighter woods – Use a half Brazil Nut
Caring for furniture with
WOOD OIL finish
General care:
- Dust often with a dry nonabrasive cloth.
- Polish 4-6 times annually with a ‘good’ wipe of beeswax-based polish. This will lock in the wood oil.
- Use beeswax furniture cream or Neopol furniture polish for light cleaning.
When cleaning is required:
- Wipe with a clean slightly damp cloth.
- For grease stains use diluted dishwashing liquid to dampen the cloth.
- When cleaning is complete – dry the entire area.
- To restore lustre wipe with furniture polish or beeswax-based polish.
NB. When cleaning with water, only dampen a soft cloth, do not soak. If you can wring out the cloth – that’s too much water. Gently wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth to remove any water when cleaning is complete.
Minor scratches & scuffs in the finish surface:
- Minor scuffs & light scratches – Wipe with beeswax-based polish to restore moisture & luster.
- Heavier scratches -– Gently rub the flesh of a half nut piece directly across the scratch to ‘mask’ the scratch.
- For dark woods – Use a half Walnut
- For lighter woods – Use a half Brazil Nut
Restoring
WOOD OIL finish
Natural Wood oils evaporate & can fade over time. If an item is left unmaintained for many years and fading/dulling is extreme – It is possible to restore lustre & protection by re-applying oils such as Danish oil etc.
Warning – this is a messy DIY task that should only be done once or twice in the item’s lifetime. Re-oiling will not remove damage – scratches, dents in wood etc. Contact FiF to discuss options if unsure.
- Clean the item thoroughly. Remove any grease & dirt.
- Ensure the surface is completely dry & free of any dust etc.
- Using a clean lint free cloth apply Danish oil to the wood surfaces – wipe only in the direction of the wood grain & do not wipe excessively – one or two wipes is sufficient.
- Promptly remove any excess oil with a clean dry cloth. Do not allow build up to sit in corners etc.
- Allow the surface to dry minimum 10hrs before applying another coat. – expect 2 coats minimum to restore finish
NB. Keep the coats very thin – the finer/lighter the coats, the better the finish will be.
!! ALWAYS follow the Oil manufacturers guide for use, application & safety precautions required !!
Caring for furniture with
WOOL upholstery
Wool possesses many natural properties that assist with its long life
- Resistant to stains & odour retention.
- Natural wicking property prevents spills being absorbed.
- Naturally hypoallergenic. Naturally resistant to mould.
- Flame resistant, does not melt, is difficult to ignite.
Note:
When first used, excess fibre will work its way to the surface of the fabric in much the same way that a quality carpet will “fluff” for a while when new.
This is completely normal. These fibres can be brushed off the surface with a soft clothing brush or vacuum cleaner.
General care of woolen upholstery
- Remove dust & particles from upholstery often.
- Use a lint brush – brushing in one direction along the grain only.
- Vacuum clean surfaces.
- Tending to spills promptly, before stains set is best practice.
- Allow ventilation.
- Do not use warm or hot water when cleaning.
- Immediately soak up any liquid or spills with a dry soft absorbent cloth.
When cleaning is required:
For very small areas:
- Using a clean, damp cloth – ‘Spot Clean’ by dabbing the surface in attempt to rinse the area – do not over soak or rub.
- Dab the area dry with a clean dry cloth.
- Allow to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.
For larger areas & fixed upholstery this may need to be professionally cleaned. Always seek your dry cleaner’s advice
Caring for furniture with
COTTON or LINEN upholstery
General care of cotton & linen upholstery
- Remove dust & particles from upholstery often.
- Use a lint brush – brushing in one direction along the grain only.
- Vacuum clean dry surfaces.
- Tending to spills promptly, before stains set is best practice.
- Allow ventilation.
- Do not use warm or hot water when cleaning.
- Immediately soak up any liquid or spills with a dry soft absorbent cloth.
When cleaning is required:
For very small areas:
- Using a clean, damp cloth – ‘Spot Clean’ by dabbing the surface in attempt to rinse the area – do not over soak or rub.
- Dab the area dry with a clean dry cloth.
- Allow to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.
For larger areas & fixed upholstery this may need to be professionally cleaned. Always seek your dry cleaner’s advice.
Caring for furniture with
LEATHER upholstery
General care of leather upholstery
- Remove dust & particles from upholstery often.
- Use a leather cream or moisturizer often.
- Tending to spills promptly, before stains set is best practice.
- Allow ventilation.
- Do not use warm or hot water when cleaning.
- Immediately soak up any liquid or spills with a dry soft absorbent cloth.
For cleaning stains etc from leather upholstery – Always seek your dry cleaner’s advice.