Product Care Instructions

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:

  1. Wipe with a clean slightly damp cloth.
  2. For grease stains use diluted dishwashing liquid to dampen the cloth.
  3. When cleaning is complete – dry the entire area.
  4. 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:

  1. Wipe with a clean slightly damp cloth.
  2. For grease stains use diluted dishwashing liquid to dampen the cloth.
  3. When cleaning is complete – dry the entire area.
  4. 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.

  1. Clean the item thoroughly. Remove any grease & dirt.
  2. Ensure the surface is completely dry & free of any dust etc.
  3. 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.
  4. Promptly remove any excess oil with a clean dry cloth. Do not allow build up to sit in corners etc.
  5. 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:

  1. Using a clean, damp cloth – ‘Spot Clean’ by dabbing the surface in attempt to rinse the area – do not over soak or rub.
  2. Dab the area dry with a clean dry cloth.
  3. 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:

  1. Using a clean, damp cloth – ‘Spot Clean’ by dabbing the surface in attempt to rinse the area – do not over soak or rub.
  2. Dab the area dry with a clean dry cloth.
  3. 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.