Wood is a natural material with variations in colour and texture, so each piece will have unique characteristics and marks that may differ from the models displayed on our website or in our showrooms. Below, we provide some advices and suggestions that will help you care for your Premium Timbers products.
The Ideal Environment
Wood furniture is best maintained at a temperature of between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relative humidity between 40 and 45% This may require the use of humidifiers, dehumidifiers and / or heating / air conditioning depending on the season. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations when using these systems. Avoid placing fine wood furniture near heating or air-conditioning outlets. If this is impractical, use a shield or guard to direct the airflow away. Exposure to extreme temperature and / or humidity variations can damage any fine wood pieces, including variations caused by humidifiers, radiators, fireplaces, or space heaters. Your furniture can best handle variations that happen gradually. Abrupt changes increase the risk of potential damage.
Climate Control
The wood used in furniture and throughout your house continues to exchange moisture with the air as it responds to climatic changes in your home. It responds to extremely dry air by losing moisture and shrinking a bit. This will correct itself as the relative humidity rises and the wood absorbs enough moisture to expand slightly. Seasonal wood movement on solid wood products is normal and not considered a warranty issue. These natural changes do not affect the furniture’s quality or sturdiness.
Polished Furniture
All pieces are made with a strong wax layer that should protect them against marks and scratches. However, for French polished pieces with surfaces that will be used often, we recommend regularly applying a paste wax to your furniture. The frequency with which you apply the wax will depend on how often you use the furniture, however we would suggest every 3 months for study and dining tables, and every 6 months for side tables. The sides of furniture pieces do not need to be waxed.
Before applying the wax, the piece must be clean. In the case of oily stains, use a clean, soft, micro-fibre cloth with a cleaning product specifically designed for wood. Remember to follow the cleaning instructions on the cleaning product. After cleaning your piece of furniture, apply a thin layer of wax to the surface and concentrate on one small area at a time. Remember to dry the surface in the same direction as the grain of the wood, and then to polish with a soft, dry, micro-fibre cloth. Avoid drying too vigorously, as this may spoil the shine of the wood.
Avoid chemical products containing ammonia, bleaches or strong chemicals. If your piece of furniture does not have a waxed surface, avoid using chemical products that contain silicone.
Painted Products
Coloured or painted furniture should not be waxed or polished to avoid creating an undesirable shine. To clean these pieces, use a weak solution of detergent and water, and dry the surfaces immediately with a soft, dry cloth.
Lacquered Products
It is not necessary to wax lacquered furniture.
Objects such as computers with plastic bases, calculators, telephones or other plastic or rubber products contain a plastifying agent that may cause discolouring or damage to your lacquered furniture. Remember to pick up objects if you are moving them; dragging any kind of object across a lacquered surface may cause serious damage to the finish.
Oil-based chemical products should also be avoided, as they attract dust and create an opaque layer that detracts from the beauty of lacquered furniture.
When lacquered furniture comes into contact with water, it is common for white marks to appear. You can remove these by heating the affected area with a hairdryer and gently applying silicone-free oil whilst the surface is still hot. Then polish with a soft cloth and apply furniture wax if necessary.
If your lacquered furniture comes into contact with enamel or perfume, avoid using a cloth to remove the product. The affected area will return to normal once the liquid has evaporated, so leave it to dry before polishing and applying a new layer of furniture wax.
If your furniture comes into contact with candle wax, hold an ice cube over the wax to make it harden. Wipe away the water from the melted ice with a cloth, and carefully remove the candle wax with a firm spatula, so as not to touch the wood. Carefully scrape the remaining wax from the surface and rub the area with furniture wax to replenish the protective layer.