With just a little TLC, genuine hardwood furniture will last a lifetime – several lifetimes, in fact. Taking good care of your solid hardwood furniture ensures its longevity. It's easy and largely a matter of common sense.

Upholstery Care Instructions

Loose cushions and pillows should be turned, rotated and fluffed on a weekly basis to keep filling materials evenly distributed and allow for even wear. Vacuum all upholstery once a week with a brush attachment. Feather / down cushions can be cleaned using a soft brush to clean the fabric. Keep upholstery away from heat and moisture, and never expose upholstery to direct sunlight as fading and discoloration may occur. Professionally clean your upholstery once a year. Look for the cleaning code under the seat cushion of your furniture. To clean your upholstered furniture, follow the instructions on the cleaning code chart that follows:

Cleaning Code DC
Professional dry-cleaning only.

Cleaning Code S
Clean this fabric with pure solvents (petroleum distillate-based products).
Professional dry-cleaning is recommended.

CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains may become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

Cleaning Code SM
Same as cleaning code S except “DO NOT BRUSH”.

Cleaning Code SW:
Clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents, foam or pure solvents (petroleum distillate-based products). Professional dry-cleaning is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

Cleaning Code W
Clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents or water-based foam to remove overall soil. Many household cleaning agents are harmful to the color and life of a fabric. Professional dry-cleaning is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

Cleaning Code X
Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinking or fading.

Cleaning Code M
Miscellaneous cleaning information:

For fabrics with “SU” prefix: Blot spills with blotting paper and pad the stain with a cloth soaked in alcohol or dry-cleaning fluid. Blot with cloth to dry. Do not rub area.

 

Leather Care Instructions

AICO, Amini Innovation Corp., uses only full top grain aniline and semi-aniline leathers. Your fine leather furniture may contain variances of shading, color, and texture giving leathers their unique personalities, and are not considered as imperfections.

Aniline and Semi-Aniline (Protected) Leathers Cleaning Code A and P
Areas of a leather hide absorb dyes differently, so some color variation is normal. Scars and branding marks are natural markings and are not
considered flaws.

Do not place your furniture directly next to a heating source. Do not place your furniture directly next to a window, under a skylight, or in a sunroom. All leathers are subject to fading over time; aniline leathers are especially sensitive to direct sunlight.

The application of a leather protection cream will improve the leather's resistance to staining and soiling, especially on seats, arms and backs.

Wipe your leather with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. Fully clean your furniture with a soft cleaner and re-protect with a protection cream every six months to remove dirt and grime as well as gradual accumulation of body oils. For oil-based stains, use a leather de-greaser.

Do not use any other products not recommended for leather as they may damage the leather's surface.

Wood Care Instructions

Because each piece of wood is unique and handcrafted and carved, expect variation in wood grain appearance, finish stain coloration,
and carvings that are not considered imperfections or defects.

Keep furniture out of direct sunlight to avoid sun and light damage and color bleaching.

Keep furniture away from direct heating and cooling sources as they affect the moisture content of the wood.

Clean wood with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. Use a wood cleaner / protection agent to remove dirt and grime and restore the sheen to the wood finish, being careful not to transfer the cleaning agent to your upholstered fabrics.

Heat, Humidity and Hardwoods

Did you know that up to half the weight of freshly sawn wood is water? Furniture is crafted from wood that is carefully dried, retaining just enough moisture for the furniture to properly acclimate to the relative humidity in your home. The wood in furniture continues to exchange moisture with the air, shrinking and expanding in response to changes in relative humidity.

Like your own skin, solid hardwood furniture's natural response to extremely dry air is to lose moisture and shrink a bit the halves of an extension table may part slightly or a few tiny openings may appear on a solid wood surface. This will correct itself as the relative humidity rises, and the wood absorbs enough moisture to expand slightly.

On the other hand, if you don't have an air conditioner or dehumidifier, your home's relative humidity may get too high. Parts of your wood furniture may absorb excess moisture from the air and expand, perhaps causing drawers to stick. Once again, this will correct itself as your home's relative humidity decreases. The furniture's quality and sturdiness are not affected by these natural changes.

Here are some ways to ensure your solid hardwood furniture's longevity: For your comfort, as well as to protect your furniture, use a humidifier in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer to keep the relative humidity at 25 to 35 percent.

Avoid placing furniture directly in front of radiators, heat runs or fireplaces.
Don't expose hardwood furniture to continuous direct sunlight. Draw the curtains occasionally.

Store table leaves as close as possible to the table. Keep them in an upstairs closet rather than in a damp basement, so that the table leaves are adjusting to the same relative humidity.

Caring for Marble Tops

The natural stone you have purchased as part of your home or office furniture is an investment that will give you many years of service. Stone is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some recommendations for routine care and cleaning:

PRECAUTIONS: Use coasters under all glass, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface. Blot up spills immediately.

Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores), or a mild dishwashing detergent and warm water.

Use a clean, soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.

Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids, on marble.
Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.

Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.

 

Repairs Made Simple

Minor damage to solid hardwood furniture can be repaired quickly and effectively with the right materials, a bit of elbow grease, and some careful attention to detail. More complex repair or refinishing jobs are best left to professionals, especially if the piece has one of today's “super finishes”.

Scratch and Nick First Aid

When preparing to repair small nicks or scratches, always test an inconspicuous area of the furniture first to make certain the mixture won't damage the finish.

Finish Treatment:

Dark Wood or Stain
Fill scratches with shoe polish that matches the lightest shade of the finish, or rub with walnut or Brazil nut meat in the direction of the scratch. A child's crayon or felt-tipped marker can also be used.

Cherry
Fill the scratches with cordovan or reddish shoe polish that matches the wood, or apply darkened iodine with a cotton swab or thin artist's brush.

Light Wood or Stain
Fill scratches with a tan or natural shoe polish, or apply darkened iodine diluted 50 percent with denatured alcohol.

Stain Removal

Today's high-performance finishes demand special and careful attention when it comes to stain removal. While there are countless remedies for stains, some may damage the furniture's finish. If you're at all unsure, you should call a professional refinisher.

These common stains often can be treated with do-it-yourself furniture first aid. But bear in mind: always test your remedy on a small area to see if it removes the stain without disturbing or damaging the finish.

Stain Treatment:

Water Marks & Rings
Often, rings are in the wax, not the finish. Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter, press down with a warm iron, and repeat. Or rub with salad oil, mayonnaise or white toothpaste. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

White Marks
Rub with a cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid, followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Milk or Alcohol
Use your fingers to rub liquid or paste wax into the stain. Or rub in a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain, substituting pumice for dull finishes. Or rub with ammonia on a dampened cloth. Wipe dry and wax or polish

Other Home Remedies:

Cigarette Burns (light)
Rub with scratch-concealing polish, or with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the grain until the burn mark disappears.

Heat Marks
Rub gently along the grain, using a dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil or mineral spirits, or rub gently along the grain with extra-fine steel wool. Wipe clean and wax or polish.

Nail Polish
Blot the spill immediately, and then rub with fine steel wool dipped in wax. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Paint Marks
If fresh; remove latex paint with water and oil-based paint with mineral spirits. If dry, soak spot in boiled linseed oil, wait until paint softens and lift carefully with a putty knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil. Residue can be removed by rubbing along the grain with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Sticking Paper
Dampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil, wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine steel wool. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Wax or Gum
Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it, and then use your fingernail or plastic credit card to remove it. Rub the area with extra-fine steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Keep Your Furniture Looking Great

Furniture is made to be used and enjoyed and accidents happen, especially when there are small children at home. Take these steps to keep damage from everyday life to a minimum:

Unless your furniture has a new “super finish' to protect it, use coasters to prevent spills, stains and damage from hot dishes. Blot all spills immediately. Keep solvents, alcohol, nail polish and polish removers away from your furniture surfaces.

When dusting, always lift lamps and other objects.

Always lift furniture to move it – don't drag it.

Open and close doors, drawers and lids gently


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