CARE & MAINTENANCE

WOOD

PREVENT CRACKING AND WARPING

WINTER

In winter, solid wood furniture is particularly susceptible to shrinkage as the cold, dry air from outside seeps into the home, driving down the relative humidity often to as low as 20% or lower. This shrinkage may cause cracks, and such cracks usually appear within a plank on planar elements such as tabletops or cabinet tops, near the end of the plank. Cracks can happen very quickly, within hours. These cracks will not affect the performance of the product, and can be embraced as a natural characteristic of the material. With increased humidity, the plank may swell, decreasing the appearance of any cracks.

These instructions include guidance for maintaining the correct humidity levels for your solid wood furniture to control movement, and options for responding to any wood movement that does occur.

DAY TO DAY - LIVING WITH SOLID WOOD FURNITURE

Keep an eye on the relative humidity in the product’s environment throughout the product’s life, and alter the environment as needed to achieve 50% relative humidity.

MEASURE AND ADJUST HUMIDITY

The simplest way to measure the humidity in the environment is by using an RH Hygrometer. If the humidity in the environment falls below 45%, keep a humidifier next to the piece of furniture to increase the moisture in its environment. Alternatively, if a humidifier is not available, place a bucket filled with water near the piece of furniture, as this will add humidity to the room as the water evaporates.

REAPPLY WAX REFRESHER OR OIL - OILED FINISHES ONLY

If your furniture has an oil finish, keep plenty of Wax Refresher or oil on hand. The frequent application of wax or oil will keep the wood as sealed as possible, providing a protective barrier against the environment.

PROTECT FROM DIRECT HEAT AND COLD

Please ensure that direct contact with hot objects is avoided by using tablemats. Do not place your solid wood furniture next to direct sources of heat or cold such as radiators or air conditioning ducts.

PROTECT FROM BRIGHT LIGHT/DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Timber is a natural material and the colour/tone can bleach, fade and shrink, causing cracks if the table is exposed to UV light, and this process is accelerated the more intense the exposure. You may wish to limit exposure to sunlight such as by closing curtains when the room is not in use. Additionally you may wish to consider installing ultra-violet (UV) fi ltering fi lm on windows to limit the fading and discolouration caused by UV rays.

SPILLAGES

Any spillages should be wiped clean immediately. Once the immediate spillage is cleared, ensure that the whole surface is wiped clean with a damp cloth. Do not use any corrosive products such as bleach anywhere near the timber.

WINTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

PROBLEM SOLVING

If cracks appear in your furniture, please do not be alarmed. This is a natural response of the timber to the changing environment.

CONTROL RELATIVE HUMIDITY

The product’s environment should ideally have a relative humidity of 50%. Measure the humidity in the environment by using an RH Hygrometer. If the humidity in the environment is lower than 45%, keep a humidifier next to the piece of furniture to increase the moisture in its environment to 50%. Alternatively, if a humidifier is not available, place a bucket filled with water near the piece of furniture, as this will add humidity to the room as the water evaporates.

LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE

If relevant, move the furniture away from direct sunlight, cover it with a tablecloth, install blinds, or use UV filters on glass.

RESTORE MOISTURE WITH A WET CLOTH - OILED FINISHES ONLY

Wipe all exposed areas of the timber with a wet cloth twice daily for two weeks. The cloth should be slightly wetter than damp, so when you wipe it across the surface you can see a glaze of water across the timber, but no puddles. Wipe all exposed surfaces with special concentration on edges (end grain) as this is where most of the moisture escapes. This wet cloth procedure will affect the surface finish, raising the grain, so at the end of the two weeks, we recommend that you restore the beauty of the finish by sanding down the item to a smooth finish, then applying Wax Refresher.

FILL CRACKS WITH SOFT WAX

If cracks remain after following all of the above advice, you may wish to fill them with a cosmetic repair wax in a matching colour. The wax will temporarily fill the crack, then when conditions are more humid and the timber naturally swells to regain its original shape, the wax will push out as the crack closes and can be removed easily. Alternatively, a professional can carry out a repair that involves applying wood glue and sawdust to the crack.

MARBLE

Marble is a natural stone, thus each cut has individual colour and pattern variations. Marble is tolerant of direct heat, but it is softer and more porous than some stones and thus requires delicate care. Our marble is honed to a beautiful matte finish, then coated with a sealant to protect it from spillages, though any spills should be wiped clean immediately.

For daily maintenance, use a soft dry microfibre cloth to remove dust. For wet cleaning, use a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner designed for stone. Never use standard household cleaners or abrasives. Do not let vinegar or acidic foods come in direct contact with the marble as this will damage the surface.

Periodically seal the marble with a suitable marble sealant. This should be done in response to the level of wear, approximately once every few years. The best way to determine when to reseal is by splashing water on the surface - if it fails to bead up, then it is time to reseal. Sealing will protect against stains and damage, but please note that some sealants can change the appearance of your marble. The best protection against scratches is prevention. Always use coasters and mats to protect the marble from objects that may scratch the surface.

GLASS

Our clear glass is tempered for great strength. The best protection against scratches is prevention. Always use coasters and mats to protect the glass from objects that may scratch the surface. Regularly dust with a feather duster to remove dirt and other small particles which can scratch the glass. To clean, first dust thoroughly, then a mild glass cleaner may be used.

FABRICS

Regular cleaning is important in order to keep the upholstery textile looking its best and to prolong its life. Dust and dirt wear down the textile and also reduce its fire-retardant properties.

Vacuum frequently, ideally every week, at half power where appropriate. Wipe upholstery fabrics made from polyurethane with a dry or moist cloth. May also be vacuum cleaned with a soft brush.

LEATHER

Leather is hardwearing and beautiful. All of our leathers benefit from regular vacuuming to remove dust. Keep sharp and heavy objects such as keys away from the leather to avoid marking. Avoid excessive heat and if possible direct sunlight as these will dry the leather. High humidity, warm temperatures, poor ventilation, and soiling can cause mould to grow on leather. It is important to keep the leather clean and to control the environment where the leather products are kept to prevent mould formation. We recommend using a Hygrometer to monitor the Relative Humidity in your home, to ensure that the conditions are neither too humid, nor too dry. The ideal relative humidity is 50%.

Air conditioners or dehumidifiers can remove moisture from the air, and either should be used with windows and doors kept closed.

If mould does form, follow this procedure: Remove mould with a soft bristle brush (such as toothbrush), if possible outdoors to prevent scattering mildew spores in the home. Run a vacuum cleaner attachment over the surface of the leather to draw out more of the mould, being sure to immediately dispose of the vacuum bag outdoors. Dry the leather with an electric heater, fan, or sun and air. If necessary, sponge lightly with thick suds of mild soap and wipe with a clean damp cloth, being sure to avoid soaking the leather.

Below are three types of leather offered by Wewood. If in doubt as to which leather applies to you, please contact us.

BRASS

Brass must be routinely maintained to retain the desired appearance. The darkening or black spotting on the brass surface is simply oxidation taking place. If left untreated, brass will eventually turnentirely dark . The dark oxidized state is the natural color of all copper alloys.

We recommend that you use regularly polish the brass surfaces in order to stop the brass from tarnishing or turning dark. Brass metal polish helps keep the metals shiny as well as cleaning off the tarnish. Before applying the brass polish, you should wash the object in warm, soaphy water, then rinse and let it dry well. Polish the brass surface with a soft sponge or cloth according to the specific instructions on the brass polish bottle. Remember to wash away all polish and let it dry.

Rub or wash away all the brass polish. If there is polish left on the object, it can cause the object to tarnish again quicker.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information please contact: quality@wewood.eu