MAINTENANCE TIPS
WOOD
Our wooden items, of all types of wood, do not require a lot of maintenance due to the quality of the choice made beforehand. However, a minimum of rules will have to be put into practice in order to preserve their general aspect in the long term:
– Teakwood itself produces oleoresin which makes it waterproof, the only treatment you can possibly give it is to apply a coat of Teak oil once a year with a soft dry cloth, leave a couple of hours for the oil to penetrate well and wipe off the excess.
Never use solvents or other chemical products that are too aggressive.
In case of stains, wipe off immediately before the liquid penetrates.
– Over time, the wood may take on different shades; this is part of the character of a piece of furniture or wooden object. However, if you prefer its original colour and stain, simply apply a coat of Teak oil to restore its shine and brilliance. Repeat a second coat according to your preferences.
STONE
For our objects made of natural stone, as well as marble and other onyx, their hardness with the time passing will not be a problem, a light maintenance will be necessary once or twice a year in order to maintain their brightness because they will be in contact with water and therefore limestone:
– Use a mild soap, rinse and wipe off. (preferably a black Marseille soap for example). Do not use acidic detergents.
Operation to be repeated according to your appreciation, when marks of limestone become visible or if the stone becomes dull.
– To extend the lifetime of a polished natural stone item in contact with water, such as a washbasin for example, apply a coat of waterproofing (liquid or spray) available in shops, once a year.
– For Terrazzo, (a mixture of cement, sand and marble fragments), as well as for Marble, in case of contact with acids causing a strong stain, scrub and apply a thin coat of wax.
BAMBOO
In order to maintain our garden furniture, interior furniture or other decoration made from Bamboo, a light treatment every 2 or 3 years (depending on the colour tone of each piece and the one you want to change) and your objects will be maintained as they were on the first day:
– Nourish Bamboo furniture once or twice a year with “Turpentine”, linseed oil and hot water using a cloth, then rinse with cold water.
We recommend a light dusting with a soft, dry cloth. If there is squeaking in some places, pass a little paraffin or Vaseline.
– Also be aware that if small cracks appear over time, or due to lack of maintenance, as Bamboo is made from very resistant fibres, this will not affect the strength and integrity of the product in any way.
Do not use strong acids or industrial solvents.
AS A GENERAL RULE
– Any “musty” or other smells that may be present in a piece of furniture can be removed by placing charcoal in the cabinet or drawers.
– Ideally, it is recommended that the ambient temperature around the furniture should be kept between 15°C and 25°C, with a humidity level between 40% and 50%.
– Never place the furniture next to a radiator, heat source, heater or ventilation pipes.
– Constant direct exposure to sunlight can cause discolouration of the furniture, as well as placing hot or wet objects directly on the wood; use heat-resistant underlays.
– Make sure that the furniture is placed on a level surface (100%), otherwise the doors / drawers may not open and close properly. You can remedy this with a plastic wedge or a coin (no cardboard or paper).
– To remove oil stains on a piece of furniture, the most effective product is “Terre de Sommières”: Cover the stain with this powder and leave it to act and absorb the fat for about 12 hours and then vacuum up the excess. Ink stains can be removed with methylated spirits by rubbing lightly. For difficult stains, try (carefully) hydrogen peroxide or “scarlet water”.
– For the drawer maintenance, remember to treat the drawer treads or slide strips once a year (or more if necessary) with paraffin wax (candle) or a few drops of oil to make it easier to open and close the drawer. Also remember to treat locks and handles regularly with a few drops of oil.
– If ever the presence of wood-eating insects is detected by the appearance of holes in the wood or sawdust on the floor, it is advisable to treat with a suitable product on sale in all DIY stores, either with a brush or by using a syringe to inject the product into the holes.
– No special maintenance is required for fibre cement (fountains and water walls): it is frost-resistant (reinforced cement) and water-resistant, just like natural lava stone (or andesite), which is considered frost-resistant and weather-resistant.
The only precaution to be taken is to secure these objects well because of their weight, and if possible and if necessary to fix them to the ground (level if possible) or to a supporting wall if necessary, although it is very rare that they move or fall “easily”.
Any Question ?
If you have any other questions about the maintenance of the products we present to you that we have not answered,
please let us know by writing to us. We will help you to clear up your doubts: