Furniture Aftercare - Crown French Furniture

 A helping hand...

To keep our French inspired furniture looking beautiful there are a few simple ways to help look after and protect it from the strains of day-to-day use. All of our pieces, from coffee tables to super-king sized beds are built to last a lifetime; and with a simple care and maintenance routine, you can keep your home looking exquisite for years to come.

As the majority of our French and contemporary furniture is hand crafted from quality solid wood, they do need to be treated with a certain amount of care. We hope the following provides you with all the information you need to maintain the beauty of your furniture but if you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us!

How to prolong the life of your furniture

Protection against the elements:

• The colour of wood matures with exposure to light, so it is important to rotate any ornaments or lamps regularly and expose table leaves to avoid noticeable colour differences occurring. Dining tables should be left extended for the first few months to avoid uneven shading.
• Avoid placing furniture near direct sources of heat or air conditioning units and avoid exposure to changes in humidity and especially steam.
• Protect furniture from strong or prolonged sunlight as this can cause fading. 
• Do not place hot dishes, cups or plates directly onto any cabinet or table top - we recommend useing insulated mats for protection.

Handling your furniture:

• Carefully lift your furniture, never drag or push it as this can cause undue stress on the joints.
• Always leave a gap behind wardrobes, chests and units to allow air to circulate freely.
• Be careful not to overstrain hinges or place heavy items onto glass shelves.
• Do not rock backwards, forwards or side to side on dining chairs as this will strain the joints.
• Always follow fitting instructions carefully and make sure you retain them for future use.
• Small tables should not be used for sitting or standing on.
• Uneven floors could give the impression that doors of wall units and wardrobes are out of alignment. Be aware of this and compensate if necessary by adjusting the hinges or packing a corner to level the item. Please refer to the instructions, included with your furniture, and adjust accordingly.

Protection from daily use:

• Avoid marking furniture with sharp objects, for example when using a ballpoint pen - always use a protective mat when writing to protect the surface of the furniture. 
• If your furniture becomes stained, scratched, chipped or suffers other damage, we recommend professional help is sought to restore it. If you need advice, please do not hesitate to ask a member of our team.
• Protect wood surfaces with felt under-cloths and place mats. Take care not to drag crockery across the wood surface or to put heavy items on the surface without protection.
• Avoid using sharp objects and zips on upholstered furniture as these may may snag the fabric.
• If items are to be placed on the surface of your furniture and have rubber feet, it is advisable to use mats to prevent marking

General cleaning and maintenance tips

• To maintain the appearance of your furniture, we recommend regular dusting with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain. It may occasionally be wiped with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dried with a lint free cloth. Nothing with a bleach content should be used.
• If you order a plain wood piece we recommend regular waxing - you can wax it as much as you like but about every 2-3 months for tables and approximately every 6 months for all other items is adequate.
• The repeated use of a polish containing silicone is not recommended as it will lead to a build up of a silicone film altering the appearance of the furniture.
• Avoid using any polish that contains alcohol, ammonia or any acids.
• Metal polish should not be used as the handles have their own protective lacquer to prevent tarnishing.
• Glass or mirrored panels should be cleaned using a non-solvent based glass cleaner and soft cloth, carefully avoiding contact with any wooden or painted sections of the furniture.
• Blot any spills immediately. DO NOT try to wash or rub spills.
• Finger marks can be removed with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
• If your furniture has an oiled finish (please contact us if you are unsure) then you can apply a coat of generic Danish Oil if the wood shows any signs of drying out.
• Danish Oil is available from all good DIY stores.

Caring for Upholstery

Careful and regular maintenance is the key to prolonging the life and retaining the appearance of fabrics and soft furnishings. The following notes are offered as a brief guide on the care and cleaning of fabrics.

• For fabric covered items an occasional vacuum on a low setting with a soft brush will help you keep your upholstery clean and significantly extend it's life. Upholstery is recommended to be vacuumed at least once a week. 
• Ensure that you treat all stains and spills immediately. Never wait until fabric is visibly dirty before washing or cleaning if possible. 
• Soak up any spills with an absorbent cloth and blotting action, always work from the edge of the stain inward to avoid spreading. Do not use an abrasive cloth or rub excessively.
• For Linen fabrics, whether 100% linen or mixed with other yarns such as cotton or viscose, are more prone to shrinkage than other fibre types, especially in washing. For this reason, we generally recommend that all linen fabrics should be specialist dry cleaned.
• For Velvet fabrics, movement or displacement of the pile is quite normal and should be expected, especially in areas of high use such as arms, seat fronts and back cushions. Marking and/or pile distortion are normal characteristics and are not an indication of poor wear. Regular turning of seat and back cushions should prolong the appearance, together with regular vacuum cleaning using an appropriate attachment. Take care not to spill liquids onto velvet as it will likely cause staining or watermarks which are extremely difficult to remove.
• If in doubt, please consult a specialist dry cleaner or a member of our team for further advice.

Thank you for choosing Crown French Furniture - we wish you many happy years with your furniture.