Maintain wood and mulch

Wood needs care, attention and maintenance if it is to retain its distinctive look and character.

Untreated wood in particular is delicate and should therefore be cleaned and treated regularly. Solid wood furniture is not recommended to be placed in direct sunlight, near heat sources or in rooms where the climate fluctuates a lot. This is because stresses can arise in glued joints and in furniture panels, which can result in them cracking.

CLEANING OF DIFFERENT SURFACES

Untreated wood: Wash with soap and water. Use a scrubbing brush on stains that do not come off with soapy water. Always scrub along the length of the wood. Rinse off all soap and dry thoroughly at the end. Do not place a cloth or objects on the table until the surface is completely dry.

Lacqueredand painted wooden surfaces: Has a strong, smooth and usually water-repellent surface under normal use and cleaning. Clean with a slightly damp cloth. Solvents should not be used.

How to maintain and clean laminate surfaces :
It takes a lot for Formica's decorative laminates to be scratched or nicked, and they can withstand normal wear and tear, but should never be used as a cutting board. They are well protected against vandalism and, when processed correctly, will provide highly durable surfaces suitable for public areas.

Laminate surfaces are best cleaned using water and mild detergent. A non-abrasive cleaner is recommended for stubborn stains.

Stubborn marks and discoloration (for example, after prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke or industrial dirt) can usually be removed by careful use of a mild scrubbing agent, but abrasive sponges or hard abrasives with large scrubbing balls should not be used as cleaning agents. Ink marks from ballpoint pens can be removed with a suitable solvent (e.g. methylated spirits, acetone, etc.) on a clean cloth.

Organic solvents such as white spirit and cellulose thinners can also be used to remove paint stains and graffiti, as they will not affect the laminate surface.

Acid-based ceramic cleaners and limescale removers must not be used as they can cause permanent staining. Any spills or splashes of these cleaners must be washed off the laminate surface immediately.

After using a cleaning agent, the surface should be rinsed with clean water and dried with a soft cloth.

Suitable window cleaning products are excellent for avoiding and removing drying marks on the washed surface.

Furniture polish should not be used as a build-up of silicone wax on the surface can lead to discoloration and fingerprints that can be very difficult to remove.

As highly textured laminate surfaces have deep patterns, they are naturally more difficult to clean than smooth surfaces and simple textures. For stubborn stains in textured surfaces, a nylon brush can be used in conjunction with some of the above cleaners to remove deep-seated stains.

Waxed wood surfaces: Hard waxes can almost be compared to lacquered surfaces, while the soft waxes are comparable in quality to oiled surfaces. The surface is easy to care for but not particularly resistant. Clean carefully with a slightly damp cloth and treat according to the descriptions provided by the manufacturer and supplier.

Oiled wooden furniture: Has a somewhat greasier surface that is more susceptible to dirt and liquids than other treated surfaces. Therefore, they must be washed and treated frequently. Clean with care and should be treated with furniture oils recommended by the manufacturer and furniture retailer. Do not place cloths or objects on the table until the surface is completely dry.

POWDER-COATED SURFACES (STEEL, MDF, ETC.)

The surface can be finished somewhat differently, depending on how the customer wants it. Powder-coated surfaces can be described as resistant to wear and tear. Clean with a slightly damp cloth. Stain removal is carried out with an all-purpose cleaner and in some cases white spirit.

Steel surfaces: As a general rule, a soft cloth is used for daily cleaning. To protect the surface and simplify cleaning, a thin layer of wax with added silicone can be applied.

Plastic surfaces: Plastics have different properties depending on their intended use. Cleaning is best done with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water with small amounts of synthetic detergent. For stain removal, use a higher dosage of detergent (see also the supplier/manufacturer's instructions).

Furniture with mounting brackets: The indoor climate varies with the seasons. It is driest inside in late winter when we have a fire and most humid in the fall. Wood is hygroscopic - it attracts and releases moisture depending on the climate, and shrinks and swells as the climate changes. This means that furniture that is assembled with mounting brackets can become somewhat sloppy during dry periods. Therefore, go over the mounting brackets and tighten them if necessary.