Cabinet Furniture Care Guide

Initial tips

• Do not place your furniture near heat sources or air conditioning units. Avoid changes in humidity, and especially steam. If the air is too damp, as in steamy kitchens and bathrooms, solid wood will absorb moisture. Sticking drawers are a warning sign of this. If the atmosphere is too dry, e.g. a conservatory, then wooden furniture may start to warp, split and twist. Joints may open up into unsightly gaps. Please avoid placing solid wooden furniture in rooms with underfloor heating.
• Always leave a gap behind wardrobes and wall units to allow air to circulate
• Protect furniture from strong or prolonged sunlight
• Uneven floors could give the impression that doors of wall units and wardrobes are out of alignment, so be aware of this and compensate if necessary by adjusting the hinges or legs or packing a corner to level the item.
• Carefully lift your furniture; never drag or push it

To help prolong the life of your cabinet furniture

• Avoid marking furniture with sharp objects, for example when using a ballpoint pen.
• Do not rock backwards on dining chairs
• Do not place hot dishes, cups or plates onto any cabinet or table top - use insulated mats as protection.
• Don't use a protective cover containing rubber derivatives as this could react with any top coat finish.
• Don't overstrain drop flap stays and hinges or place heavy items on the surface without protection.
• Take care not to drag crockery across the wood surface or to put heavy items on the surface without protection.
• Always follow fitting instructions for wall fixing, glass surfaces, and shelves.
• Check the stability of tables and chairs regularly. You may from time to time need to tighten bolts and other fixings.
• If you have any doubts about how to care for your furniture please contact your sales person.

Natural qualities

• Every carefully selected piece of marble used in our furniture ranges is unique with its own individual colour shading and patterns. Marble is a natural product formed over millions of years, no two pieces are alike. The natural veins, pores, and variations merely enhance its beauty. Genuine marble has received a varying degree of varnish treatment to ensure that the surfaces are resistant to grease, wine, and general household spillages.
• The surface should merely be wiped with a mild soap-solution, using a clean white cloth, and never be exposed to solvents. Always clean any spills immediately.
• Marble is vulnerable to hard knocks or scratches to its edges and smooth varnished surfaces.

Natural qualities

• Every carefully selected piece of wood or veneer used in our furniture ranges is unique with its own beautiful graining, patter, and colour. As you would expect from a natural material, there will be contrasts in appearance both within individual products and from one item to another. This gives real wood such character as well as its own uniqueness.

Scratches

• With wood products, unless you have taken the Cousins' Care Programme,the best way to deal with scratches is to employ the services of a professional polisher. We will be able to recommend one upon request.

Easy Care Advice

• Gently dust your furniture and polish with a soft lint-free buffing cloth.
• The colour of real wood matures with exposure to light, so it is important to rotate ornaments regularly and expose table leaves to avoid noticeable colour differences occurring.
• Never use silicon or wax polishes that leave residue on surfaces.
• Only use good quality wax-free proprietary furniture polish, where recommended by the manufacturer.
• Disconnect any light fittings from the mains before changing bulbs.
• Dining chair upholstery can be lightly vacuumed or gently brushed to remove dust.
• If your chairs are covered in leather, give them a wipe over with a damp white cotton cloth. If you need to use soap, make sure it is pure soap which doesn't contain solvents or detergents.

Stop spills becoming stains

• Blot up any spills immediately.
• Do not try to wash or rub spills and do not use detergents.
• Finger marks can be removed with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
• Protect wood surfaces with felt under-cloths and place mats.

Cleaning

• Always follow your manufacturer's cleaning instructions to the letter.
• Most lacquer or synthetic finishes on real wood give a semi-permanent barrier to make cleaning as easy as possible.
• Assume that all wooden furniture will not resist water, chemicals or heat.
• Natural wax finishes are porous and stain easily. Always use a good quality natural beeswax and polish along the grain every three months. Use a clean duster to then buff the furniture up.
• If your wood furniture has an oiled finish you will need to feed it with linseed oil every three to four months. Always use a clean cloth, which you should dispose of carefully after each treatment.
• Man-made foil and melamine may be dusted or wiped with a damp cloth.
• Clean upholstery at least once a year and before soiling becomes ingrained.