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KEEPING YOUR FURNITURE BEAUTIFUL
Quality furniture is a significant investment expected to last for years on end. To maintain its beauty and help it last, furniture
needs the right care. No finish is totally indestructible. But with regular care, the finish and materials will last much longer,
providing years of enjoyment.
Tips to Protect and Care for Your Furniture
1. Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight, as sunlight causes fading.
2. Avoid extreme changes in temperature by arranging furniture away from radiators, heat and air vents and air
conditioning units.
3. Avoid placing plastic or rubber materials (lamp bases, notebooks, placemats, etc.) on your furniture, as certain plastics
contain ingredients that may damage the finish.
4. Periodically rotate accessories on furniture so they do not sit in the same spot all the time.
5. Use pads, cloth or felt to protect the furniture surface from plastic, rubber, hot dishes, beverages, bookends, flowerpots
and vases.
6. Clean up spills immediately. Use a blotting rather than a wiping action. Water left over a long period of time will cause
white spots in the finish. Alcohol, perfume, after-shave and medications can cause severe finish damage.
7. Use a protective pad when writing on the furniture surface.
8. Lift and place objects rather than dragging them across the furniture surface.
9. Avoid placing furniture directly under windows.
Wood Furniture Care: We recommend dusting frequently with a clean, soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Clean the surface by
rubbing in the direction of the grain. We recommend polishing your furniture approximately every six months, using a
clean, soft, lint-free cloth and rubbing the polish in the direction of the grain. Guardsman Furniture Polish © or any
furniture polish that doesn't contain silicone is recommended.
Leather Furniture Care: Wipe spills immediately with clean cloth or sponge. For spots or stains and daily cleaning, clean
with mild non-detergent soap. Rinse well, gently wipe off, and allow to air dry. Cleaning Butter, Oil or Grease for Leather:
Wipe leather with a clean cloth, and leave alone. The oil will be absorbed by the leather. DO NOT APPLY WATER. Also,
do not use saddle soap, cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, ammonia or any other type of
chemical solution.
Granite Care: Our granite is not sealed, so you may want to apply an over-the-counter sealant, which will provide a small
amount of surface protection, but we still recommend cleaning spills promptly. Use a slightly damp cloth to clean as
needed. Wipe dry. We also do not recommend using abrasive cleaners, chemical solvents, strong detergents, cleaners
with bleach, and furniture polish. Be sure to use trivets, coasters, placemats, and adhesive felt pads to help prevent
scratches.
Butcher Block Care: For best results, clean finished butcher block surfaces with soapy water or commonly available
kitchen counter top cleaners. Do not use abrasives or powder cleansers. Do not allow moisture to stand on the surface for
prolonged periods of time. To sanitize, rinse the butcher block with white vinegar by using a vinegar-water solution in a
spray bottle. Spritz the butcher block all over, and let it sit for a while. While that sits, make a lemon salt mixture by
pouring about 1/4 cup salt into a bowl, and stir in enough lemon juice to make a workable paste, adjusting the consistency
as you go. Then use a scrub brush to thoroughly scrub your butcher block with the lemon-salt paste. If the paste gets too
dry, sprinkle on a little more lemon juice. Rinse well, and squeegee off as much water as you can, and then let it dry
overnight. Make sure to seal it before you get it dirty again. Pour out a small amount of oil, and rub it into the wood using a
cloth or paper towel. As the oil soaks in, add more and continue rubbing and polishing with the grain until the oil is
absorbed. The first time you seal your butcher block, it may take several applications before it stops "drinking" oil, but in
later cleanings you'll just need to refresh it. Keep adding oil until no more soaks in, remove any excess with a cloth.
Stainless Steel Care: Stainless Steel tops should always arrive unblemished. Depending on usage, overtime you will
begin to notice that your stainless steel may develop a sheen (often light bronze or copper green in color). This is called a
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