How to look after your beautiful handmade furniture
When you buy handmade furniture and sofas from Mark Elliot, you can be confident that your purchase will give you years of lasting pleasure. We have created a useful guide which contains advice on preventative care and repair which we hope will help you maintain the look of your purchase for many years to come.We do our utmost to ensure that your furniture arrives at your home in superb condition, having undergone a series of stringent quality checks at our factory.The following advice on preventive care and repair is designed to help you maintain your fine furniture so that it will look as beautiful in the future as the day it arrives.
If you have purchased furniture or upholstery from Mark Elliot and have a particular query relating to furniture care, simply call 01502 719340 and ask for Customer Care (9.30am 5pm Mon to Fri). If you prefer you may e-mail us at carolyn@markelliot. We will do our best to advise you.
Furniture Care
Fine wood furniture is one of the most satisfying investments you can make, and a small, but regular amount of care and attention will protect your investment for generations to come. Please be aware that our careful polishing and finishing techniques mean that all the inherent characteristics of the wood, such as colour and grain variations actually enhance the natural beauty of your chosen piece.
The right environment
Extreme temperatures will damage your fine furniture. Please do not place your furniture near to humidifiers, fireplaces or air conditioning outlets. Wood does not like overexposure to direct sunlight. The ultraviolet rays can create hairline cracks in the finish, cause fading or darkening. However, some woods experience a colour change over time, this is completely natural. Mahogany will become paler, Yew and Cherry will darken over a relatively short period of time, and Oak will yellow slightly over the years.
Unnatural and uneven colour changes can be avoided by ensuring table leaves are exposed to as much light as the table top itself. Ornaments should be moved every now and then to avoid patches of light and dark. Veneers are particularly sensitive to temperature and will move slightly in relation to their environment. Small marks and cracks may appear as the wood works. Our veneers are well seasoned and carefully selected, and this slight movement will not affect the quality or the strength of the piece in any way. If a crazed pattern appears on your veneers dont panic this simply proves it is real wood rather than a mass produced synthetic finish.
Dusting and cleaning
When cleaning, always make sure you use a clean, soft, slightly damp cotton cloth. Importantly always rub in the direction of the grain when polishing, and dust often to remove abrasive particles.
Dont wax your furniture every time you clean this need only be done once or twice a year and then only very lightly. Remove carefully, an excess of wax can build up a film on your furniture which actually attracts dust, dirt and smoke creating a smeary effect.
Prevention is better than cure
Protect the surface of your wood furniture from water by placing flowers or plants in moisture proof pots.
Avoid heat damage by always using coasters and place mats for hot drinks and meals. Dont leave newspapers or magazines lying on a wood surface for a length of time the ink may leak, and stain your furniture.
Whenever writing with a ball point pen use a pad underneath to avoid marks and dents. Be wary of scented candles and pot pourri their oils may damage the finish. Lift and place objects (rather than dragging) to avoid scratches.
Minor repairs and treatments
Small spills and scratches can be kept small if you follow our tips. However if you feel hesitant and fear you may make the damage worse call us, or seek expert advice.
Common problems
Scratches Clean the area and use a matching coloured touch up product. These are readily available, however on traditional furniture a black indelible marker can do wonders! Water Watermarks will more often than not dissipate over a period of time but if they remain after a month, a drop of salad oil on a clean white cloth, rubbed in the direction of the grain should remove it. Wipe the surface and polish.
Heat/Burns Using extra fine steel wool (0000) grade rub extremely gently (with the grain) over the scorched area. Again apply salad oil and wipe dry with a soft, clean cloth, and polish.
Sticking paper Dampen the paper with a light dab of olive oil and wait. After a couple of minutes rub with the grain with extra fine steel wool, wipe dry and polish.
Spillages Quick action is vital. If spillages occur on a polished wood surface, remove immediately using a clean white soft cloth (coloured cloths may transfer their dye).
Paint Water based paints can be wiped immediately with a damp, clean cloth. Let oil paints dry and then remove gently with a credit card or something similar.
Nail polish/Nail polish remover These are wood furnitures greatest enemy they are dangerous solvents. Do not rub or wipe a spillage blot. You many need an expert if damage has occurred. You will be able to tell after the area has dried naturally.
Cloudiness Dip a cloth in a mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar and a quarter of water. Rub with the grain until the surface is dry.
Upholstery Care
All Mark Elliot upholstery is of guaranteed quality construction, however the good looks and long life of your fine upholstery can be extended by following this simple and straightforward advice.
Armcovers are relatively inexpensive, and provide excellent protection against everyday wear and tear.
Vacuum often, not only the visible parts go over the entire piece to prevent dust from settling into the fabric.
Protect fabric from the sun, direct sunlight will fade any fabric, and cause degeneration of the fibres.?
Shake and plump feather cushions at least daily, and fibre filled cushions weekly to maintain their shape and resiliency. Reverse and turn cushions regularly to distribute wear and tear and maintain an even fabric colour.
Stains
If a stain does occur on fabric upholstery act quickly. Try not to let the stain dry or soak in, it will become almost impossible to remove it once it is set in.
Try to keep a small stain small. Dip a cotton swab into the appropriate cleaning solution* and squeeze out the excess. This will pick up the dissolved stain and stop it from spreading further.
Always blot a stain never rub. This will only cause excessive damage to the fabric.
Using a clean white cloth, apply the cleaning solution at the edge of the stain and work towards the centre, turning the cloth often.
Use cool or cold solutions when removing stains. Hot solutions or hot water can cause fading or shrinkage of the fabric.
NB. Please Note. Some insurance policies, or furniture care plans specifically advise against attempting to remove any stain yourself, and if you do try, it can invalidate your policy. Please check your policy very carefully to avoid this.
Leather upholstery
Do remember that scars and other distressed marks are simply normal characteristics of genuine leather upholstery. In fact quality leather is extremely durable, and can actually improve with age, requiring only regular dusting and occasional damp cloth cleaning to maintain its beauty. However, please beware of sharp objects.
Always blot up any spills immediately to avoid absorption and staining it may be necessary to use a specialist cleaner and prevent fading by protecting from direct sunlight. Excessive tobacco smoke, or cooking fumes can also cause leather to fade and discolour.
*With any cleaner you may buy for your upholstery always do a test first on an area that is not visible. You need to know first if the cleaner is compatible with the fabric if there are any colour changes, fading or dark rings appearing, then do not use!
Furniture Care
