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USE YOUR FURNITURE CORRECTLY
The most important thing is to use your furniture in the way it was intended to be used.
Take safety issues into consideration. Furniture assembled and used correctly is safe.
▼Note these safety issues when using furniture:
►do not use as a ladder or climbing aid
►do not sit on the armrest of a chair or on the edge of a table
►do not tilt on your chair on two legs
►do not overload furniture
►follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions.
▼Every now and then, make sure that the fittings and screws are well tightened.
▼It’s preferable to cover the feet of furniture in a material suitable for this purpose. Make sure that
the floor material can take the pressure of the furniture without denting and that coloured furniture
or protective materials leave no traces on the floor. On a floor surface that is not moisture resistant,
the cover used cannot be water absorbent.
▼Do not place furniture in strong sunlight or against a heating device.
▼Place furniture so that it’s not in your way, and so that no opening doors can hit it.
▼Do not leave furniture outdoors.
▼Please follow the instructions you received with your furniture.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FURNITURE
The old wisdom that diligent maintenance with neutral cleansers is better than shock treatment with
abrasive agents is still valid.
Furniture materials can include, among others, wood, plastic, metal, glass, stone and linoleum.
Wooden furniture surfaces are treated with lacquer, paint or oil. In cleansing and care of furniture,
the essential issue is the way the surface endures moisture.
Furniture should be vacuumed using a dust nozzle or wiped with a damp cloth regularly. Wiping
with a damp cloth is the fastest way to remove dust from wide-plane surfaces. Small stains and light
dirt can be removed by moist wiping when needed, and moisture-sensitive and glossy surfaces can
be polished with a dry cloth.
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WOOD, WOOD PANEL AND VENEER
Wood in furniture can be in different forms, for example as solid wood or veneer board.
Solid wood swells and shrinks easily. Even the surfaces of solid wood can become slanted, curved
or dented. Solid wood furniture shouldn’t be placed in areas where it is exposed to extreme changes
in temperature or humidity.
Veneer is a thin wood layer in different thicknesses. Veneer can be used in coating wood, chipboard
or fibre board (such as MDF, for example).
Untreated wood gets dirty and stains easily. This is why surfaces are generally treated with paint,
lacquer or oil. The surface should be cared for according to the treatment.
Untreated wood
Untreated wooden surfaces can be washed even with a scouring agent or rough-grained washers. It's
best to wash the surface first with circular movements and then according to the grain, so that the
wear is even. The surface should be rinsed with plenty of cold water – this means that the wood
pores contract and the wood remains whiter. It is best to use cool water when washing wood. Hot
water swells the wood and lets the dirt penetrate into the open pores. After a thorough wash, the
surface can be protected by oiling, but only worn and faded surfaces should be oiled.
Painted wood surfaces
Paint forms a protective coat over the surface and entirely covers the wood pattern. Paintwork can
be glossy, semi-glossy or matt. Changes in the wood will easily crack the hard painted surface.
►Care and protection
Damp or moist wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent.
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
Glossy surfaces should be treated only now and then with a thin coating of furniture wax.
The rubber studs of appliances placed on the surface should be replaced with felt studs or other nonstaining material.
►Stain removal
First use undiluted neutral detergent on all stains.
Colour stains and stains that are not water-soluble can be removed with white spirit or denatured
spirit.
Please use caution, as this treatment can damage some surfaces. Test the suitability of the detergent
on a spot that is not visible. Finish by wiping with a moist towel and dry.
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►Avoid
→ abrasive cleaning equipment and agents
→ strong rubbing of matt surfaces, as the surface can easily become glossy
→ strong alkaline and acidic cleaning agents
→ strong solvents, such as acetone and thinner
→ liquids that will stain or colour the surface
→ excessive use of water and prolonged effect of liquid
→ hot objects
→ hot water or coffee.
Lacquered surfaces
Lacquer is a surface treatment that forms a transparent film with a varying level of shine.
On a lacquered surface, small signs of wear are not as visible as on painted surfaces.
Before lacquering, the wooden surface can be stained. Staining brings out the beauty of the wood
grain and helps achieve a more suitable shade and various levels of tone value.
►Care and protection
Damp or moist wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent (for example
washing-up liquid).
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
Keep the effect time of chemicals to a minimum. Matt and half-matt surfaces are the most sensitive.
Avoid rubbing, as lacquered surfaces can easily become glossy.
The rubber studs of appliances placed on the surface should be replaced with felt studs or other nonstaining material.
►Stain removal
First use undiluted neutral detergent on all stains.
Colour stains and stains that are not water-soluble can be removed with white spirit or denatured
spirit.
Please use caution, as this treatment can damage some surfaces. Test the suitability of the detergent
on a spot that is not visible. Finish by wiping with a moist towel and dry.
Use furniture wax to carefully scrub severe stains and marks caused by heat and humidity.
►Avoid
→ abrasive cleaning equipment and agents
→ uneven mechanical strain on the surface, which often results in an uneven shine
→ strong alkaline and acid cleaning agents
→ strong solvents, such as acetone and thinner
→ liquids that will stain or colour the surface, especially coffee
→ excessive use of water and prolonged effect of liquid
→ hot objects or hot water
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→ deep scratches, which allow grease to penetrate the wood
→ use of waxes, since removing them later can be difficult.
Oiled wooden surfaces
Untreated wood can be oiled. The oil evens and deepens the colour of the wood and makes it more
moisture resistant. An oiled surface has limited resistance to alcohol, liquids and heat. If the
treatment is done with drying oil or linseed oil for example, the oily fabric pieces must be either
burned or soaked in water as oily fabrics are inflammable.
►Care and protection
Dry or damp wiping with a cleaning towel.
Wooden surfaces can be oiled a couple of times a year, for example using furniture oil. The oil
should be rubbed onto the clean and dry surface using strong circular movements. The oil is applied
as many times as the wood can absorb it. Excess oil should be removed with a dry cleaning towel
after the surface has dried, or the surface can be washed gently. If you oil the surface too often, it
becomes sticky, and dirt and dust will adhere to it easily.
►Stain removal
Stains can be removed with a neutral detergent; in difficult cases, white spirit or emery paper with
furniture oil can be used. You can also try abrasive agents for severe stains, after which the area
must be oiled again.
►Avoid
→ abrasive cleaning equipment
→ strong alkaline cleaning agents
→ excessive use of water
→ sharp objects
→ liquids that will stain or colour the surface.
LAMINATE
Laminate can be coated with plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefin, or papers
saturated with plastic resin, such as high-pressure laminate or melamine plastic film.
The surface layer of high-pressure laminate is resistant to mechanical wear and chemical strain.
This is why it endures all household acids, alkaline and solvent detergents and heat up to 180 ° C.
Always use a protective pad under pots and pans that come straight from the oven or hob. Lowpressure laminate is notably thinner than high-pressure laminate as is not as durable in terms of use
or care. PVC and polyolefin film is glued to the surface of the plate. These films endure chemicals
well, but avoid using abrasive agents.
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►Care and protection
Damp or moist wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent.
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
Some plastics become electrically charged and easily gather dust. This can be reduced by leaving
out the rinsing and drying stage after damp or moist wiping.
Grimy surfaces should be cleaned with undiluted neutral detergent and soaked. The surface should
then be rinsed and dried.
Light surfaces can be cleaned using bleach or a solution of washing powder for white laundry. If the
detergent contains chlorine, the rinsing water must be lukewarm so that the chlorine doesn’t
evaporate. Do not mix other detergents with disinfectants.
Water and mild non-abrasive detergents are recommended for high-pressure laminates. It is not
recommended to use bleach or washing powder solution.
►Stain removal
Undiluted neutral detergent is suitable for all stains. Colour stains and non-water-soluble stains can
be removed with white spirit or denatured spirit. Finish with moist wiping.
►Avoid
→ abrasive cleaning equipment
→ scouring agents
→ sharp objects
→ hot objects
→ liquids that will stain or colour the surface
→ strong alkaline or acid detergents
→ use of acetone in cleaning polystyrene and acrylic plastics.
METAL
Furniture and its parts can also include metal, steel, stainless steel and brass. Metal surfaces can
either be coated or uncoated.
Coated metal
Powder-painted surfaces
Powder-painting is a coating method that gives chemically roughened metal a durable surface.
►Care and protection
Damp or moist wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent (for example
washing-up liquid).
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
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►Stain removal
Use undiluted neutral detergent for all stains followed by moist wiping and drying.
►Avoid
→ abrasive detergents and cleaning equipment. Brass surfaces will begin to tarnish if the protective
lacquer is damaged.
→ acid detergents
→strong solvents.
Chrome-plated surfaces
Chrome plating is a coating created in an electrochemical reaction. The plating surface consists of
nickel and chrome.
►Care and protection
Damp or moist wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent.
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
Use a polishing wax suitable for chrome.
►Stain removal
Use undiluted neutral detergent for all stains followed by moist wiping and drying.
►Avoid
→scouring agents and abrasive cleaning equipment
→ acid detergents
→strong solvents.
Uncoated metal
►Care and protection
Cleaning of uncoated metals requires special polishes.
Brass can be polished just by washing it. Use a neutral or mildly alkaline detergent. Rub the
detergent directly onto the surface. Rinse and dry carefully. If you want to form a protective film
against tarnishing, do not wash the surfaces after polishing. Give the surface its final polish by
rubbing it strongly with a dry cleaning towel.
Stainless steel should be cleaned with either neutral or mildly alkaline detergent. If the surfaces
have greasy dirt on them, alkaline detergents can be used. It is advisable to dry surfaces after moist
wiping. Window cleaner can be used now and then. It removes greasy dirt and dries quickly without
leaving stains.
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►Stain removal
Use undiluted neutral or mildly alkaline detergent for all stains. For stainless steel, washing
powders for white laundry, chlorous detergents and dishwasher powders are suitable.
Use metal-cleaning agents to remove oxidation.
►Avoid
→ scouring agents and abrasive cleaning equipment
→ acid detergents
→ placing hot cooking dishes from the oven or hob directly onto steel surfaces, as the surface can
expand and blister. The surface of stainless steel can darken from exposure to strong heat.
TEXTILE SURFACES
The upholstery of furniture uses various materials, and this must be taken into account when caring
for and cleaning the surfaces. Synthetic fabrics are more durable and easier to take care of than, for
example, cotton or linen. Furniture fabrics go through many treatments intended to improve their
use, cleaning and safety. All padded seat furniture sold in Finland must not catch fire from a
cigarette. All upholstery materials are fire tested.
Textiles
►Care and protection
→ Always follow the instructions given for the covering.
→ Removable covers: vacuum gently with a textile nozzle. Dry clean or
wet clean according to the washing instructions.
→ Fixed covers: vacuum gently with a textile nozzle. Foam wash (not for
very dirty furniture). Cleaning companies also wash textile furniture and rent out
pressure washers.
►Stain removal
Remove stains immediately so they don’t become fixed. Old stains get rubbed deeper and deeper
into the fibre and become harder to get out. Only treat the stain itself. Remove solid dirt by scraping
carefully, for example with a spoon. Soak up any moisture with a paper towel. Stains should be
soaked out, not rubbed. Work both towards the stain and away from it, so as not to leave a ring on
the fabric. Use water or stain removal agents sparingly.
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►Avoid
→ any action that contravenes the care instructions
→ using bleaching detergents on coloured fabrics
→ excessive rubbing; for example, excessive rubbing during vacuuming wears the fabric
→ brushing fabrics that become fluffy
→ sharp objects
→ excessive use of water and moisture
→ beating, as the bindings in the fabrics can get damaged
→ UV light such as flower lamps and direct sunlight.
LEATHER
Semi-aniline leather is leather that has been tinted with translucent shades after dyeing. Certain
unevenness is typical. In addition to integral colouring, the surface of coloured leather has colour
coats of different strengths.
►Care and protection
→ Use only supplier-recommended detergents and conditioners intended for use on upholstery
leather or a soap solution. Different general detergents can cause severe damage.
→ vacuum regularly
→ wipe dust from leather furniture with a damp cleaning towel or sponge.
►Stain removal
→ Press with a cleaning towel or sponge moistened with a mild soap and water solution. Do not
rub.
►Avoid
→ petroleum-based and solvent detergents
→ alkaline or acid detergents
→ scouring agents
→ dry room air and hot air (for example, in the vicinity of a heating device or sunlight)
→ clothes that bleed colour on light leather; these clothes can colour the leather
→ allowing grease from hair and hands to become fixed
→ getting the leather wet and then rubbing it.
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ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
Artificial leather is either plastic or fabric covered with plastic, and its care is the same as plastics.
However, avoid using solvents.
►Care and protection
→ Damp wiping with a cleaning towel moistened with neutral detergent.
It is advisable to dry the surface after moist wiping.
Some plastics become electrically charged and easily gather dust. This can be reduced by leaving
out the rinsing and drying stage after damp or moist wiping.
→ Grimy surfaces should be cleaned with undiluted neutral detergent and soaked.
→ The surface should then be rinsed and dried.
►Stain removal
→ Use undiluted neutral detergent for all stains.
►Avoid
→ solvents
→ abrasive cleaning equipment and agents
→ strong alkaline or acid detergents
→ sharp objects
→ hot objects
→ liquids that will stain or colour the surface
→ conditioners and protective agents that are not intended for use on artificial leather – for
example, some leather agents.
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Source: Puusepänliikkeiden Liitto ry, Huonekalujaosto